What does home care cost?
Home care in Croydon and Bromley with Fabulous Homecare starts from £26 an hour, and your first home visit is free with no obligation. What you pay depends on how many visits you need and the kind of support involved, and many families get help with the cost through their council, the NHS or benefits like Attendance Allowance.
The funding routes, in plain English
Paying for yourself
Many families fund care privately, paying only for the visits they use, from one hour a week upwards. We agree everything in writing after the free home visit, so there are never surprises on the invoice. If your needs change, the plan and the cost change with them.
Council funding & direct payments
Your local council (Croydon or Bromley) can carry out a free care-needs assessment, followed by a financial assessment to see what they would contribute. If you qualify, you can ask for the money as a direct payment and spend it with a provider you choose, including us. Anyone can request an assessment; it is the right first step for most families.
Apply for a needs assessment — GOV.UK(opens in a new tab)NHS Continuing Healthcare
Where care needs are primarily health-related (complex, clinical or end-of-life), NHS Continuing Healthcare can fund the full package at home, not means-tested. There is also a fast-track route for people whose condition is changing quickly. Ask the GP, district nurse or hospital team for an assessment; we are happy to support the application with care records.
NHS Continuing Healthcare — NHS(opens in a new tab)Attendance Allowance & benefits
Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, and it is widely under-claimed. It is paid directly to you and can be spent on home care. Family carers may also qualify for Carer's Allowance. The official pages explain current rates and how to claim.
Attendance Allowance — GOV.UK(opens in a new tab)What the free home visit gives you
- What a typical week should look like: visits, times and routines
- A written, itemised cost for exactly that plan (nothing hidden)
- Which funding routes look realistic for your situation, and who to ask
- Honest advice, including when less care, or different care, would serve you better
Home care vs a care home
Every family is different, but here is how care at home generally compares with moving into a residential care home.
| In this respect | Care at home | In a care home |
|---|---|---|
| Where you live | Your own home, with all its familiar comforts and memories. | You move into a residential setting and adapt to a new environment. |
| Attention | One-to-one: your carer is there for you alone. | Staff are typically shared across many residents at once. |
| Daily routine | Your own routines, mealtimes and sleep, kept as they are. | Day-to-day life usually follows the home's set schedule. |
| Couples | Partners stay together in the home they share. | Couples are sometimes separated, or pay two sets of fees. |
| What you pay for | From £26 an hour: you pay only for the visits you actually need. | A fixed weekly fee covering room, board and shared care. |
Costs & funding: common questions
How much does home care cost in Croydon and Bromley?
Our care starts from £26 an hour, and the home visit where we work out exactly what you need is free, with no obligation. The total depends on how many visits a week you have and the type of support. We put the full figure in writing before anything begins.
Will the council pay for my care?
Possibly. Start with a free care-needs assessment from Croydon or Bromley council, which anyone can request. A financial assessment then decides what the council contributes. Even when families expect to fund themselves, the assessment is worth having: it unlocks other support too.
What is the difference between council funding and NHS funding?
Council funding supports day-to-day care needs and is means-tested. NHS Continuing Healthcare covers people whose needs are primarily health-related. It is not means-tested and can fund the whole package at home. Some people move from one to the other as needs change.
Do you charge more at weekends or for short visits?
We keep pricing simple and agree it in writing before care starts, so you always know what a week costs. Tell us the pattern of visits you have in mind and we will quote it openly at the free home visit.
Can we change or stop care once it has started?
Yes. Your care plan is reviewed with you regularly and can be increased, reduced or paused as life changes. How changes and notice work is agreed in writing before care begins, so you always know where you stand.
Last reviewed 11 June 2026 · Reviewed by Roseline Fazal Masih, Registered Manager · Sources: GOV.UK and NHS pages linked above.
Let’s talk about the care you need
A friendly chat with someone local who understands. We’ll listen first, then help you decide what’s right for your family.