Why home care is growing
Home care is one of the fastest-growing parts of UK social care. Here is what the trend means for families in Chichester and Bognor Regis weighing up options.
Published: 13/10/2026
Across the United Kingdom, the way families arrange care for older relatives is changing. For decades, the default assumption was that significant care needs meant a move into a care home. Today, more and more families are choosing a different path: high-quality care delivered in the person’s own home. Domiciliary care is now one of the fastest-growing parts of the adult social care sector, and the trend has real implications for families in Chichester, Bognor Regis and the surrounding villages.
This article looks at why home care is growing, what is driving the shift, and what families weighing up their options should take from it.
A clear and sustained shift
The direction of travel is unmistakable. National regulatory and workforce reports over recent years have shown the number of people receiving care in their own homes rising steadily, while the residential care home sector has remained broadly flat or grown only slowly. Government policy has reinforced this: the Department of Health and Social Care’s 2026 priorities for adult social care set out a clear "Home First" direction, emphasising care and recovery at home wherever it is safe and appropriate.
This is not a passing trend. It reflects a settled change in what families want and in what the health and care system is being designed to deliver.
What is driving the change
Several forces are pushing in the same direction at once:
Preference. When asked, the overwhelming majority of older people say they would prefer to remain in their own home for as long as possible. Familiar surroundings, a lifetime of memories, a garden, neighbours, pets and routines all matter deeply to wellbeing.
Better outcomes. For many people, particularly those living with dementia, staying in a familiar environment supports memory, reduces anxiety and helps preserve identity and independence.
Flexibility. Home care can start small, a few visits a week, and scale up as needs change, all the way to live-in care, without the upheaval of moving home.
Policy and the NHS. Pressure to free up hospital beds and to support recovery at home has put reablement and "discharge to assess" pathways at the centre of NHS planning.
Cost. For lower and moderate levels of need, home care can be more cost-effective than residential care, and it allows families to pay only for the care actually required.
;)
The workforce question
Growth in home care depends on growth in the workforce. National workforce analysis has made clear that the adult social care sector will need hundreds of thousands of additional posts over the coming years to keep pace with an ageing population. This is one of the defining challenges for the sector, and it is why good employers in care are investing heavily in training, terms and conditions, and career development.
At Right at Home Chichester and Bognor Regis, we hold WorkBuzz 5 Star Employer status for the fourth time. We see recruitment and retention of skilled, compassionate CareGivers as inseparable from quality. A stable, well-supported team is what makes consistent, person-centred care possible.
What this means for families
If you are weighing up care options for a loved one, the growth of home care is good news. It means more choice, a maturing sector, and a model of care designed around the person rather than around a building. But growth also means families need to choose carefully. Not all home care is the same. The things that distinguish a high-quality provider (CQC registration and a good rating, continuity of CareGivers, thorough Care and Support Plans, proper training, and genuine person-centred values) matter more than ever.
The practical message is this. Home care is no longer a fallback option. For many families it is the first choice, and a well-chosen provider can support a loved one through changing needs over many years, in the place they most want to be.
;)
Frequently asked questions
Is home care growing faster than residential care?
Yes. National reporting in recent years has consistently shown the home care sector growing more quickly than the residential care home sector, supported by clear government policy favouring care at home.
Is home care cheaper than a care home?
For lower and moderate levels of need it often is, partly because you pay only for the care actually delivered. For very high or continuous needs, the comparison is closer and depends on the individual situation. We always provide a clear written quote.
Can home care handle complex or increasing needs?
Yes. Home care can scale from a few visits a week through to multiple daily visits, overnight support and live-in care, including complex and end-of-life care, without the person having to move.
What should I look for in a home care provider?
CQC registration and a good rating, continuity of CareGivers, detailed and person-centred Care and Support Plans, strong training, and clear, honest communication about costs.
Talk to us
If the growth of home care has you thinking about options for a loved one, we would be glad to help you understand them. Contact Right at Home Chichester and Bognor Regis for an honest, no-obligation conversation.