Social Care Providers

Search for Residential/Nursing Care
Search for Home Care
Search for Respite Care

You can choose from a wide selection of social care providers including Durham County Council, the voluntary sector and private organisations.

We use a range of approved agencies within the County to provide all aspects of social care.

You can search for a residential or nursing care provider. This link will take you to our database of names and addresses of homes that have registered with us.

All residential and nursing care homes are registered and regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission. For more information about what the categories of care mean and how the homes are inspected, please visit their website.

It is possible for you to contact them directly for services providing that you are prepared to pay the full cost. If you are unable to pay the full cost you will need an assessment. Visit the Durham County Council website to find out what an assessment of need is - this page looks at how much you will have to pay.

For more information on charging please visit our Charging policy for residential care services and Charging policy for non-residential services pages on the Durham County Council website.

There are several alternatives to for you to consider when looking at care and accommodation.

1. Care Homes

   - these are residential and provide meals and personal care for those who are unable to live independently. This is usually a long term solution. Go to the Durham County Council website for more information on residential accomodation.

2. Care Homes with Nursing

   - these are homes that offer the same services as those of residential care homes but also offer regular specialist nursing care. Go to the Durham County Council website for more information on residential accomodation.

3. Home Care

   - this is provided in your own home and is suited to those who can retain their independence with some outside support. The care provided can include help with bathing, shopping, getting up etc. A package can be tailored to meet your needs and requirements. The following link will take you to the organisations that can offer home care. You can find out details about organisations that offer home care or, go to the Durham County Council website for more general information on home care services

4. Sheltered Housing

   - these are usually properties linked to an alarm service or has a warden attached. They are suitable for people who want to remain independent but need the secrity of assistance in the case of an emergency. These schemes do not provide any direct care and you still may need home care as described above.

5. Extra Care

   - is a combination of specially designed housing and 24 hour care and support developed to offer older people and disabled people over the age of 55 an alternative to moving into a care home. Go to the Durham County Council website for more information on Extra Care.

6. Respite/Short Break Care

   - if you need time away from home or your carer needs a short break, then this may be the solution. A number of residential care homes offer this kind of care. You can find out details about organisations that offer Respite Care or, go to the Durham County Council website for more general information on respite and short term care.