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How to Choose a Care Home: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

CS
Claire Saltwater26 August 2026
How to choose a care home — a step-by-step 2026 guide.

Choosing a care home can feel overwhelming, especially in a hurry. Breaking it into clear steps makes it manageable — and helps you make a decision you'll feel confident about.

The four steps

From first thoughts to a confident choice 1 Assess needs What level of careis needed 2 Shortlist Filter by area,type, rating 3 Visit See homes in person 4 Decide Check the contract,then commit
Start with a free council needs assessment — it tells you the type of care to look for.

What to look for — and warning signs

On a visit, weigh up: Good signs• Warm, unhurried staff• Residents engaged and comfortable• Clean, homely, no strong smells• Staff know residents by name Warning signs• Residents left alone or restless• Staff too rushed to talk• Reluctance to let you look around• Vague answers on fees or staffing
Trust your senses — how a home feels on a normal day tells you a lot.

Check the CQC rating

Every home in England is inspected and rated. Read the latest report and note when it was done:

The 5 things the CQC rates England’s care regulator scores each home on: 1 Safe Protected from harm 2 Effective Care that works 3 Caring Kind and dignified 4 Responsive Meets your needs 5 Well-led Good management
Scotland, Wales and NI have their own regulators (Care Inspectorate, CIW, RQIA).
Before you sign, read the contract carefully — what the fee includes, notice periods, and when fees can change. Ask for anything unclear in writing.
💬 Ready to compare homes near you? Search the AskBart directory by area, care type and CQC rating — or ask Bart to shortlist homes for you.

Frequently asked questions

How many homes should I visit?

Aim to visit at least two or three so you have something to compare — including one unannounced visit if you can.

What should I take to a visit?

A checklist of questions, a notebook, and if possible the person who’ll be moving in, so they can share how it feels.

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Claire Saltwater

Editor · AskBart

Claire Saltwater is AskBart's Editor and a care-home industry veteran. One of AskBart's earliest team members, she has spent years working in and around social care — so she understands first-hand the difficult, often overwhelming decisions families face when choosing a care home. Claire writes and edits AskBart's advice guides with one goal: clear, genuinely independent information, free of jargon and sales pressure. Away from her desk she loves a good farmers' market and time with her two young children.

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