Emergency care home in England
Emergency social care in England runs on the Care Act 2014, the NHS England Discharge to Assess policy and the NHS Continuing Healthcare National Framework. Here is the joined-up picture.
The short answer. In England the council has a statutory emergency duty under Care Act 2014 s.19. The NHS funds Discharge to Assess for up to 6 weeks. NHS CHC Fast Track covers rapidly deteriorating end-of-life cases with full NHS funding. The upper capital limit is £23,250 for 2026/27. Call NHS 111 (option 2) for social care out-of-hours, or your council's adult social care duty desk.
Governing law and policy
- Care Act 2014. The statutory framework for adult social care. Care Act 2014 ↗
- NHS England Discharge to Assess. Operational model for hospital-to-community moves. NHS England D2A ↗
- Care and Support Statutory Guidance. The interpretive document councils must follow. CASG ↗
Who to call
- In hospital: ward sister, then hospital discharge coordinator, then hospital social work team.
- At home: council adult social care duty desk (every council has a number).
- Out of hours: NHS 111, press option 2 for social care.
- Safeguarding: council safeguarding line (often the same as the duty desk).
English means test in brief
- Upper capital limit £23,250 (full self-funder above).
- Lower capital limit £14,250 (only income counted below).
- Tariff income £1 per week per £250 between the two limits.
- Family home disregarded for first 12 weeks of a permanent placement.
- Family home permanently disregarded if a qualifying relative still lives there.
Frequently asked
What is an Integrated Care Board (ICB)?
ICBs replaced Clinical Commissioning Groups in 2022. They commission NHS services in each area, including CHC and D2A placements. Every ICB has a CHC team you can ask about by name.
Does the NHS pay for care homes in England?
Yes, during D2A (up to 6 weeks) and indefinitely under CHC. Outside those, social care funding rules apply.
Can the same person have a hospital social worker and a community social worker?
Often yes. The hospital social worker arranges discharge; the community social worker takes over post-discharge for ongoing assessment and review.
Last reviewed 2026-06-21. Clinical reviewer pending appointment (target Sep 2026); meanwhile reviewed by the editorial team.