About this consultation
We are seeking your views on proposed changes to how residential and nursing care home services are delivered, funded and charged for in Stoke-on-Trent. Your feedback will help shape:
- Updates to the Residential Charging Policy
- Three key proposed changes to the current Residential and Nursing Home Contract
Your input will also help inform the development of a new Residential and Nursing Care Home Contract.
Understanding Care Homes and Funding
Care Homes provide 24-hour support for individuals with care needs.
- Residential Care Homes: Staff available 24/7
- Nursing Homes: Staffed 24/7 including qualified nurses for clinical support
Funding depends on financial assessments:
- If someone’s savings are below the threshold, the council may fund their care.
- Those above the threshold pay privately (known as self-funders).
- If a self-funder’s finances drop below the threshold, the Council will reassess eligibility.
What is the Residential Charging Policy?
This policy outlines how people are charged for residential and nursing care placements.
Why is it being reviewed?
We want to ensure the policy:
- Is fair and transparent
- Reflects current legislation and guidance
- Supports people in understanding their financial responsibilities
Draft Residential Charging Policy
What is the Residential and Nursing Care Home Contracts?
Stoke-on-Trent City Council holds legal agreements with care homes to:
- Offer choice to residents
- Govern council-funded placements
Following feedback from care providers, we are proposing three key changes to the existing contract and also developing a new contract for 2026 (pending the consultation outcomes).
Click here to read the Draft Individual Placement Agreement
Click here to read the Draft Third Party Contribution Agreement
Proposed Changes to the Care Home Contract
- The council will collect client contributions directly and pay providers the full amount.
- Care homes may charge their own private rates to new residents with Deferred Payment Arrangements.
- Care homes may request annual increases to Third Party Top-Up Contributions, aligned with their budget planning.
Proposed changes to the Residential Charging Policy
- Consider travel distance for relatives when assessing third-party top-ups.
- Allow more than one person to be responsible for top-up payments.
- Introduce a light-touch financial assessment for top-up payers if contributions exceed a certain threshold:
- Proposal 1: £50–£74/week
- Proposal 2: £75–£99/week
- Proposal 3: Over £100/week
- Introduce a risk assessment to evaluate the impact of moving residents to alternative accommodation.
- Replace the term “significantly detrimental” with “detrimental” to reduce ambiguity.
- Require care homes to notify the Council within two months of unpaid top-ups to prevent debt.
- Include a full assessment to determine if alternative accommodation can meet a resident’s needs.
Proposed implementation timeline
- Contract changes: If approved, the proposed updates to the current contract may be implemented approximately three months after the consultation closes.
- New contract: The new Residential and Nursing Care Home Contract is expected to be introduced within 12 months, subject to consultation outcomes.
Consultation period
You can share your views between:
Monday 17 November 2025 and Sunday 18 January 2026.
This gives you 9 weeks to respond.
How to take part
You can provide feedback in several ways:
Click here to complete our online survey
- Printed Survey: Complete by hand and post to: 18+ Commissioning and Contracts Team, Floor 2, Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1HH
- Email: Send a typed response to: ascconsultation@stoke.gov.uk.
- Phone: Call 01782 235895 to complete the survey with a staff member
- Drop-in Sessions: Speak to staff in person at one of our sessions:
- Wednesday 17 December 9.30am-4pm, Maple West, Turnhurst Road, Packmoor, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 6SB
- Wednesday 7 January 9.30am-4pm, Oak Priory, Castle Grove, Abbey Hulton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 8PN
- Wednesday 14 January 9.30am-4pm, Willow Barns, Consett Road, Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 3EA