A change may have happened in your life, or that of a relative, which means that you are starting to think about care home services.

Moving from your home can be a big step. You are encouraged to think through what it will mean and talk to people close to you.

You can contact your local area office for information. You do not have to contact Social Services if you or your family is willing to pay the full amount of your care and you wish to make your own arrangements. When you contact us we, and others involved in your care, will agree with you if a care home is the best option. This is called an assessment. We will then help you to choose a care home that is best suited to your needs.

To help you chose an ideal home, the Registration and Inspection Unit offer recent inspection reports of your preferred choices of homes. These reports are public documents and you are encouraged to look at as many as you like. There is no charge to see the reports.

You should contact the homes to arrange a visit and have a look around. Try to visit more than one home for a comparison.

Please read the care homes in Monmouthshire guide. This provides information about care homes that have been approved by Monmouthshire Social Services.

These and other care homes in Wales can be found on the Care and Social Services Inspectorate (CSSIW) website along with the inspection reports for each home.

Are there any other groups who can help me?

There are voluntary organisations that may be able to help when you are choosing your residential or nursing home, and, once you have settled into your home.

Groups such as Age Cymru, Carers Wales and Residents and Relatives Association may be active in the area of your home. To find out more ask your social worker or member of staff at the home.

Paying for a care home

The initial care assessment is free.

If you are moving into a care home and have asked us for help we will ask you to complete a financial assessment form. We will work out how much we think you should pay towards the cost of your care and we will pay the rest.

How much you will have to pay will be worked out by using guidelines that have been set by the Government which ask us to look at your income (pensions and benefits) and any capital (savings, investments and property) that you have.

For information regarding this please see our Paying for Care Homes Financial Rates Supplement.

Provider Payments

If you are a residential or nursing home and have residents placed with you by Monmouthshire County Council, you can submit your four weekly invoice electronically by filling in the residential/nursing invoice form.

If you have any queries or need any further help please contact Social and Housing Services Finance team on 01633 644596.