How do I arrange a care needs assessment in Poole?

Contact the adult social care team at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and ask for a care needs assessment, for yourself or for a relative who agrees to it. A GP, district nurse or hospital discharge team can also refer. The assessment is free and is not means tested, so there is no need to settle finances first. Write down specific recent difficulties beforehand, because concrete examples help an assessor far more than a general impression.

Can Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council fund a care home place?

It can, where a needs assessment shows residential care is required and a financial assessment confirms capital and income fall below the national thresholds. Most people who qualify still contribute something from their pension and other income. Above the threshold the placement is self funded, although the council must still carry out the assessment and give advice. Where a property is owned, ask how it is treated and whether a deferred payment agreement is possible.

Which providers in Poole offer residential care?

Twenty four providers match this search, all registered with the Care Quality Commission to deliver accommodation with personal care. The list mixes homes run by national groups with smaller independent ones, and each has a profile here showing its rating and registration details. Vacancies change from week to week, so telephone to check availability rather than relying on the listing alone. Shortlist three or four and compare their inspection reports before visiting.

What is the difference between a care home and a nursing home?

A residential care home provides accommodation and help with daily living from care staff, covering washing, dressing, meals, medication prompts and company. A nursing home offers all of that and also keeps a registered nurse on duty at every hour for clinical needs such as complex wounds, tube feeding or advanced frailty. The registration category held with the Care Quality Commission shows which type a setting is. If clinical needs are likely to grow, ask whether the home can continue to meet them.

How far in advance should I start looking at care homes?

Begin earlier than feels comfortable. Assessments take a few weeks, well regarded homes often keep waiting lists, and an unhurried search lets the person moving visit and say what they prefer. That involvement makes a considerable difference to how well a move settles. Where the search follows a hospital admission the timescale compresses sharply, so tell the council at the outset and still ask for time to visit before agreeing.

What should I ask when visiting a care home in Poole?

Ask about staffing levels by day and overnight, how much agency cover is used and how long the registered manager has been in post. Find out how care plans are written and reviewed, how you will be told when something changes, and what happens if needs increase beyond what the home can meet. Ask to see a week of menus and the activities programme. Request the fees, the notice period and the complaints procedure in writing.

Care Homes in Poole

Poole has 25 CQC registered care homes. 24 are rated Good, 1 Outstanding. 11 of the 25 were last inspected more than three years ago.

Source: Care Quality Commission register, kept up to date as ratings change.

Poole at a glance

What the local numbers say about care for older people in Poole, to help you judge the options below.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council pays, residential care: £1,220 a week. Self-funders are typically asked £1,400 to £1,650, median £1,549
Care home beds filled across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: 86%. The 12 month average is 86%.
Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 75+: 79
People aged 75 and over: 49,100. Rising to 55,700 by 2035, up 13%
Care homes, last 12 months: 1 opened, 0 closed. 6 changed owner, covering 203 beds.
Who pays, across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (estimate): 38% council, 46% self. The rest is NHS funded or other.
Living with dementia, aged 65 and over (estimate): 6,400. Rising to 7,800 by 2035, up 21%
People aged 85 and over: 13,900. Rising to 19,900 by 2035, up 43%

Planned and recent building work within 5 miles

Land Adjacent To 147 Broadway Lane, Bournemouth. Application for a 80 bed care home. Submitted 3 August 2026. Decision pending. (4.8 miles away)

Powered by Orrery Intelligence. Market model built 22 October 2026 (ONS 2022 based population projections, CQC register), published care home prices, council planning records.

Arranging and funding a care home place in Poole

Beginning with the assessment

Before fees or shortlists matter much, ask for a care needs assessment. It is free, open to anyone who appears to need support whatever their savings, and can be requested by the person themselves, by a relative acting with their agreement, or through a GP or hospital discharge team. A practitioner considers mobility, personal care, eating and drinking, memory, medication and safety, then sets out in writing what level of support is needed and whether a residential setting is the right answer. Ask for a copy of that document.

How help with fees is decided

Eligibility is settled separately through a financial assessment of income and capital. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is the authority that carries out both assessments in this area and arranges funded placements for people who qualify, and it is also the right place to ask about deferred payment agreements when a property forms part of the picture. Above the capital threshold the placement is self funded, but the council still owes an assessment and impartial advice worth having before anything is arranged privately.

What a place costs

Weekly fees vary considerably between homes and rise where dementia support, a larger room or higher staffing is involved. Ask precisely what the quoted figure includes and what falls outside it, since hairdressing, chiropody, newspapers and outings are commonly billed separately. Ask how often fees are reviewed and what notice is given of an increase, and check what happens if a self funding resident later qualifies for council support once savings have run down.

Choosing the right home in Poole and what to look for

Telling similar homes apart

With one home rated Outstanding and twenty three rated Good, the rating alone will not narrow this list for you. The reports will. Read the safe and well led sections closely, look at what inspectors actually observed rather than the overall judgement, and note the staffing detail and the date of the visit. A home inspected four years ago and one inspected last spring can share a rating while describing very different places.

What to watch for on a visit

Go at a busy hour rather than mid morning, and go twice if you can. Notice how quickly call bells are answered, whether residents are out of their rooms and occupied, and how staff speak to someone who needs help with something private. Ask about overnight staffing, how much agency cover is used and how long the manager has been in post. A brief candid word with a visiting relative in the lounge is often worth more than an hour in the office.

Thinking about fit

Beyond quality, suitability decides a great deal. Consider whether the person would rather be in a small home with a dozen residents or somewhere larger with more going on, how easily family can visit regularly, and whether the building works for someone with limited mobility. Ask what the home does when a resident's needs increase and whether it could continue caring for them, because avoiding a second move later is worth a lot.

25 care homes in Poole

Regency Manor Care Home · 16-17 Blair Avenue, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH14 0DA
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Luxurycare Regency Manor Limited
We at Regency Manor Care Home are proud to offer compassionate residential care in the heart of Poole, providing a welcoming home for older people who need thoughtful, personalised support every day. Nestled within the BH postcode area of...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Mental Health, Respite Care
Chalgrove Care and Nursing Home · 5-7 Westminster Road East, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH13 6JF
Nursing home · Care home · CQC Good · Nursing on site · Run by Chalgrove Care Home Limited
Here at Chalgrove Care and Nursing Home, we provide nursing and residential care for people living in Poole and the wider Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. We are proud to have received a "Good" rating from the Care Quality...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Mental Health, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Long Close Retirement Home · 23 Forest Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH13 6DQ
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Mr Keith London-Webb
We at Long Close Retirement Home are proud to offer a warm and welcoming residential care home in the heart of Poole, providing dedicated older person care in a setting that feels truly like home. Nestled within the Bournemouth,...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Respite Care
The Grange · 2 Mount Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH14 0QW
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Valorum Care Limited
The Grange is a residential care home in Poole, and we support a wider range of people than you might expect of a home our size. We care for older people, including people living with dementia, and we also support adults with a learning...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Amberwood Lodge · 6 St Osmunds Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH14 9JN
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Cygnet Care Services Limited
Amberwood Lodge is a residential care home in Poole, supporting adults and younger adults who have a learning disability or who are autistic. We are a small home, and that is deliberate, because the kind of support we offer depends on...
Specialisms: Learning Disability / Autism, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Aranlaw House Care Home · 26 Tower Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH13 6HZ
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Luxurycare Aranlaw House Limited
Here at Aranlaw House, we provide residential care for older people in the heart of Poole, and we are proud to be part of the wider Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole community. Our home offers a warm, familiar environment where residents...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Mental Health, Respite Care
Dorset House · Coles Avenue, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH15 4HL
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Care South
We at Dorset House are proud to offer a welcoming residential care home in the heart of Poole, providing compassionate older person care and specialist support for adults living with a wide range of needs. Nestled within the Bournemouth,...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Marjorie House · 1 Crichel Mount Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH14 8LT
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Care South
Marjorie House is a residential care home in Poole providing a home for older people and for younger adults who need help with everyday life, including people living with dementia, people with physical disabilities and people with loss of...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Younger Adults, Respite Care
St Cecilia · 29 Nelson Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 1ES
Care home · CQC Good · Run by St. Cecilia Care Dorset Limited
St Cecilia is a residential care home in Poole for older people who need help with daily living, including many people living with dementia. We offer respite stays as well as permanent places. We are a house rather than an institution and...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Respite Care
Elizabeth House · Dolbery Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 4PX
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Care South
We are Elizabeth House, a residential care home in Poole. We support older people and younger adults, including those living with dementia, people with a physical disability and people with a visual or hearing impairment, and we offer...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Younger Adults, Respite Care
The Laurels and Pine Lodge · 33-37 Foxholes Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH15 3NA
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Hartford Care (Southern) Limited
We at The Laurels and Pine Lodge are proud to offer warm, personalised residential care in the coastal town of Poole, welcoming older adults, younger adults, and those living with dementia or mental health needs into a home where dignity...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Mental Health, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Kingland House Residential Home · Kingland House, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH15 1TP
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Buckland Care Limited
Kingland House Residential Home is a care home in Poole. We support older people who need help with daily life, including many living with dementia, people with physical disabilities and younger adults who need residential care. We also...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Lawford Lodge · 56 Hoyal Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH15 4HZ
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Diverse Abilities Plus Ltd
Lawford Lodge is a residential care home in Poole supporting younger adults, including people who have a learning disability, autistic people, people with a physical disability and people whose sight or hearing is impaired. Everyone here...
Specialisms: Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Younger Adults, Respite Care
The Waves · 199 Churchill Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 2JD
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Harbour Care (UK) Limited
We at The Waves are proud to offer a welcoming residential care home in the heart of Poole, providing personalised support for adults living with learning disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities in a setting that feels truly like...
Specialisms: Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
The Moorings · 69 Brixey Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 3EY
Care home · CQC Outstanding · Run by Harbour Care (UK) Limited
Here at The Moorings, we are proud to offer residential care for adults in the heart of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. We support people with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities and younger adults who need a...
Specialisms: Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Eagles Mount Care Home · 25 Birds Hill Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH15 2QJ
Care home · CQC Good · Run by LuxuryCare Eagles Mount Ltd
We at Eagles Mount Care Home are proud to offer a warm, welcoming residential care home in Poole, providing specialised support for older people, including those living with dementia and mental health needs. Nestled within the Bournemouth,...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Mental Health, Respite Care
Lilliput House · 299 Sandbanks Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH14 8LH
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Lilliput House Limited
Lilliput House is a residential care home in Poole, providing a comfortable and settled home for older people who find living alone has become difficult. We are a home rather than an institution, and we run it that way. People choose when...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Respite Care
Beach House · 94 Alexandra Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH14 9EP
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Harbour Care (UK) Limited
We are Beach House, a residential care home in Poole. We support older people and younger adults, including adults with learning disabilities, autistic adults and people with physical disabilities. Respite stays are available. We plan...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Upton Bay Care Home · 1 Hoyal Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH15 4HY
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited
Upton Bay Care Home is a residential care home in Poole supporting older people and younger adults, including people living with dementia. The emphasis here is on daily life rather than clinical routine. Meals, company, familiar habits,...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Alexandra House · Alexandra Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH14 9EW
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Care South
Alexandra House is a residential care home in Poole. We provide care for older people, including people living with dementia, people with physical disabilities and people with visual or hearing impairment, and we offer respite stays...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Dementia Care, Physical Disability, Visual / Hearing Impairment, Respite Care
The Shores · 46 Brixey Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 3EZ
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Harbour Care (UK) Limited
The Shores is a residential care home in Poole. We support adults with a learning disability, autistic adults and people with physical disabilities, including younger adults, and we offer respite stays for people who need a short break or...
Specialisms: Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Castle Farm Care Home · Castle Farm Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6BZ
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Royal Bay Care Homes Ltd
Castle Farm Care Home is a residential home in Poole for older people who are finding it hard to manage alone but who do not need nursing care. We help with washing and dressing, medication, meals and the ordinary business of the day,...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Respite Care
Anchor House · 1 Evering Avenue, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 4JF
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Harbour Care (UK) Limited
Anchor House is a residential care home in Poole supporting adults with learning disabilities, autistic adults and people with physical disabilities, including younger adults moving into a home of their own. We also offer respite stays,...
Specialisms: Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
The Dunes · 49 Cynthia Road, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 3JE
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Harbour Care (UK) Limited
The Dunes is a residential care home in Poole. We support adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults, people with physical disabilities, and older people, and much of our work is with younger adults who will be with us for many...
Specialisms: Older Person Care, Learning Disability / Autism, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care
Coral House · 15 Alder Hills, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 4AJ
Care home · CQC Good · Run by Harbour Care (UK) Limited
Coral House in Poole is a residential home supporting adults with learning disabilities, autistic adults, people with mental health needs and people with physical disabilities, and we also care for people living with dementia. Most of the...
Specialisms: Dementia Care, Learning Disability / Autism, Mental Health, Physical Disability, Younger Adults, Respite Care

What care costs in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, per week

Type of care	What the council pays	What self-funders are typically asked
Residential care South West figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 52 homes. Median £1,549.	£1,220	£1,400 to £1,650
Nursing care South West figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 16 homes. Median £1,810.	£1,293	£1,599 to £1,983
Residential dementia care South West figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 19 homes. Median £1,665.	Not published separately	£1,450 to £1,813
Nursing dementia care England figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 75 homes. Median £2,050.	Not published separately	£1,890 to £2,221

Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price. Powered by Orrery Intelligence.

Inspected most recently

The Dunes, 5 March 2026, Good
Marjorie House, 17 February 2026, Good
St Cecilia, 29 October 2025, Good

Longest since a report

The Waves, 16 October 2018, Good
Anchor House, 25 January 2019, Good
The Moorings, 9 October 2019, Outstanding

Frequently asked questions about care homes in Poole

How many care homes are there in Poole?

Poole has 25 CQC registered care homes: 1 Outstanding, 24 Good. Counts come from the CQC register and are kept up to date as ratings change.

How much does a care home cost in Poole?

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council pays an average of £1,220 a week for residential care. Self-funders are typically asked £1,400 to £1,650 a week. South West figure, because too few Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole homes publish this price. 52 homes. Median £1,549. Published prices are often starting prices, and come from homes that publish fees, so treat them as a guide. Ask the home for its own price.

Which care homes in Poole were inspected most recently?

The Dunes (5 March 2026), Marjorie House (17 February 2026) and St Cecilia (29 October 2025) have the most recent CQC reports.