Arranging Care in Wokingham Borough
Wokingham Borough Council is a unitary authority in the South East of England, covering the town of Wokingham itself along with Woodley, Earley, Twyford and the surrounding villages. Because it is a unitary council, all adult social care in the borough is arranged directly by Wokingham Borough Council rather than being split between district and county tiers, which makes it a single point of contact for families beginning their care journey.
If you or a relative living in the Wokingham area needs support, the first step is to contact the council's adult social care team and request a needs assessment. This assessment is free, regardless of income or savings, and looks at what daily support someone requires, whether that is help at home, a move into one of the local residential care homes, or specialist nursing care. Where the assessment identifies eligible needs, Wokingham will then carry out a financial assessment to work out how much, if anything, the person contributes towards their care. National capital thresholds apply, so those with savings and assets above the upper limit are generally expected to fund their own care, while those below may receive council support.
Choosing from the Local Care Market
Families in the borough have a good range of options, with around 95 CQC-registered care homes across Wokingham and its neighbouring towns. This includes smaller residential care homes suited to those who mainly need help with daily living, as well as nursing homes for people with more complex medical needs. Home care is also widely available for those who prefer to stay in their own property in Woodley, Earley or Twyford.
Care Fees and Funding
Costs vary depending on the level of support needed. As a general guide across the Wokingham area, home care typically averages around £22 to £30 per hour, residential care homes around £1,100 to £1,400 per week, and nursing homes around £1,300 to £1,700 per week where nursing input is required. Funding routes can include self funding, local authority support following the financial assessment, NHS Continuing Healthcare for those with primary health needs, and NHS funded nursing care contributions in nursing settings. Wokingham Borough Council can also advise on deferred payment agreements if a family home is involved.
