Understanding how home care is paid for in England.

Our fees

Our fees will be published when the service launches.

Haverton Care's home care service is in development and will launch once our CQC registration is complete. Our fees will be published here at that point — in full, in writing, and with no hidden charges. That will include our hourly rates, any evening, weekend or bank holiday rates, and our approach to travel and cancellation, so you can compare us fairly with other providers.

In the meantime, this page explains how home care is funded in England, because many families do not realise support may be available.

Start with a needs assessment — it is free

Under the Care Act 2014, your local council must carry out a care needs assessment for any adult who appears to need care and support. It costs nothing, whatever your income or savings, and you do not need to be receiving any benefits to ask for one.

Depending on where you live, request it from Kent County Council, the London Borough of Bexley, or the London Borough of Bromley. The assessment looks at how you manage day-to-day life and what support would help — and it is worth having even if you expect to pay for your own care, because it documents your needs and opens the door to advice.

The three main ways home care is funded

1. Local authority funding. If the assessment identifies eligible needs, the council carries out a financial assessment (a means test) of your income, savings and certain assets. Depending on the outcome, the council may pay for some or all of your care. The thresholds are set nationally and change over time, so always confirm the current figures with your council or at gov.uk.

2. Direct payments. If the council agrees to fund your care, you can choose to receive the money as a direct payment and arrange your own care provider — giving you control over who comes into your home. Many people use direct payments to choose a provider they trust rather than the council's default arrangement.

3. Self-funding. If your means are above the threshold, you pay for your own care. You still keep the right to a free needs assessment, and you may still be entitled to benefits that help.

NHS funding

Where someone's needs are primarily health needs — for example complex conditions requiring ongoing clinical care — the NHS may fund the full package through NHS Continuing Healthcare. It is not means-tested: eligibility depends on needs, not money, and is assessed by your local Integrated Care Board. If you think this may apply, ask your GP, community nurse or social worker about a checklist assessment.

Benefits that help with care costs

Two non-means-tested benefits are often missed. Attendance Allowance supports people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) supports those under State Pension age. Neither depends on your savings, and neither requires you to have a carer already. Check eligibility and current rates at gov.uk, or get free help with claims from Age UK or Citizens Advice.

Our promise on money

Whenever our service launches, three things will always be true: our prices will be in writing before any care begins; we will never pressure you into more hours than you need; and if council or NHS funding might apply to you, we will say so — even when it is not in our commercial interest.

Get independent advice

For guidance that is independent of any care provider, including us: your local council's adult social care team, Age UK (ageuk.org.uk), Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk), and MoneyHelper (moneyhelper.org.uk), which lists regulated independent financial advisers specialising in later-life care.