How to Complain About a Care Home (2026)

Claire Saltwater29 January 2024

How to complain about a care home — the steps and who to contact, 2026.

If something's wrong with a loved one's care, you have every right to raise it — and a clear process to follow. Most issues are resolved quickly once they're put in writing.

The steps to take

Ask for the home’s complaints procedure — they must have one.

Who does what

For urgent safety concerns, contact the council’s safeguarding team.

This is general information, not legal advice, and covers England & Wales — Scotland and Northern Ireland differ. For your situation, speak to a solicitor or an advice charity. Keep a dated record of events, names and what was said — it makes any complaint far stronger.

💬 Exploring care options? Search care homes near you on AskBart, with CQC ratings and guide prices — or ask Bart for help.

Frequently asked questions

Will complaining affect the care?

It shouldn’t — good homes welcome feedback. If you fear it might, involve an advocate or the council.

Who investigates complaints in Scotland, Wales and NI?

Each nation has its own ombudsman and regulator (e.g. the Care Inspectorate in Scotland).

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.