Contract routes

Contract routes

Before you move into a care home in Scotland, the care home must give you a contract describing:

• what the care home provides
• how much it costs
• your rights as a consumer
• the care home’s complaints procedure

How to pay for a care home place

You can choose to sign a contract directly with the care home for some or all your fees using 1 of 5 routes.

Individuals who use routes 1 and 2 are sometimes called self-funders.

Route 1 – Independently Funded Person

This is when you pay privately for all your care home fees.

Route 2 – Free Personal / Nursing Care Supported Person

This is when you make a private contract with the care home for your living and accommodation costs. But, you have the local council contract with the care home for the free personal and nursing care part of your fees.

Contract routes 3, 4 and 5 follow the National Care Homes Contract (NCHC). The NCHC is to make terms and conditions, and publicly-funded placements, more equal across Scotland.

If you’re self-funded, you may ask to have the local council contract with the care home on your behalf so that you’re protected by the NCHC. The care home must also agree to accept this contract route so it’s not always an option.

Route 3 – Assessed Contribution Supported Person

You have been assessed by your council as being eligible for a funded care home place. But you’ll still pay a contribution towards your living and accommodation costs.

Depending on your arrangement with the local council, your contribution will either be paid directly to the care home or to the local council.

Route 4 – Assessed Contribution Supported Person with Top Up

You’re eligible for a funded care home place, with a contribution from you based on your financial assessment, carried out by your council.

Your chosen care home does not, however, accept the council rate as it’s less than the care home’s normal fees. So you need a ‘top up’ to cover the rest of the costs. This extra top up must be paid by a third-party, such as a family member, friend, or charity.

Route 5 – Fully Funded Supported Person

This is when you’re eligible for a care home place which is paid for by your council in special situations. For example, you need specialist care or need to go into a care home quickly to keep you safe.

The council will sign the contract with the care home for all your accommodation and living costs, and for personal and nursing care.

Further information

You can look up the quality of the care homes in your area on the Care Inspectorate website.

The payment of care home fees is a complex subject. It depends on many things which are unique to you.

If you want detailed information or personal advice, ask an experienced independent adviser like:

• Advice Direct Scotland – phone 0808 800 9060, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
• Age Scotland who have information on paying for care homes, or phone their helpline on 0800 12 44 222

You can also read the UK Government’s care homes market study into care homes.