By the Berrycroft Care team. Last updated 12 November 2026.
Care homes in the Stockport area charge between £1,116 and £1,991 a week for residential dementia care, with an average starting price of £1,360 a week, according to carehome.co.uk listings in October 2026. At Berrycroft Manor in Romiley, the fee is £1,570 a week for all stays. Stockport Council can help with the cost if a person has less than £23,250 in savings and other capital.
Working out how to pay for a care home is one of the first things most families have to deal with, often at a time when they are already worried about a parent or partner. This guide explains how Stockport Council decides who gets help with the cost, what happens to the family home, and the other sources of funding that are worth knowing about. The rules can change, so it is always worth checking the latest position with the council.
Why care home fees vary
Fees vary between homes for several reasons, including the type and size of room, whether it has its own bathroom, and the facilities and activities on offer. At Berrycroft Manor, all 78 bedrooms are single rooms with their own en-suite wet room, and the home has its own pub, hair salon, coffee shop and accessible gardens, with meals cooked on site every day. Berrycroft Manor charges the same weekly rate for every stay, whatever the level of care needed or the length of stay. When comparing homes, it is worth asking each one what its weekly fee covers and whether it changes as care needs increase.
Getting a care needs assessment
The first step is usually a care needs assessment from Stockport Council's adult social care team. It looks at what support the person needs and whether a care home is the right option. Anyone can ask for one, and you do not need to have decided how you will pay first.
The financial assessment
If the council agrees that a care home is needed, it will carry out a financial assessment to work out how much the person should pay towards the cost. This looks at their income, such as pensions and benefits, and their capital, which includes savings, investments and in some cases property.
The financial assessment can take some time to complete, and care homes will often expect fees to be paid while it is going on. It is worth talking to the home early about how the fees will be covered in the meantime.
In England in 2026/27, the limits are:
If capital is above £23,250, the person pays the full cost of their care.
If capital is between £14,250 and £23,250, the council contributes and the person pays towards the cost from their income and part of their savings.
If capital is below £14,250, it is not counted, although the person will still pay a contribution from their income.
Anyone paying the full cost, known as a self-funder, should contact the council a few months before their savings are likely to fall to £23,250, so an assessment can be arranged in good time.
What happens to the family home
A home the person owns is usually counted as capital once they move into a care home permanently, but there are exceptions, for example if a husband, wife or partner still lives there. For the first 12 weeks of a permanent stay, the value of the home is not counted, which gives families time to decide what to do. If the stay starts as temporary, the 12 weeks begin when it becomes permanent.
Families who do not want to sell straight away can ask the council about a deferred payment agreement. The council pays some of the care fees and the amount is secured against the property, then repaid when the home is sold or from the person's estate. Stockport Council has separate guidance on property and deferred payments on its website.
Top-up fees
If the council is funding a place and the home's fee is higher than the amount the council will pay, a family member or friend can agree to pay the difference. This is called a third-party top-up. It is a formal agreement, usually with the council, so it is important to be confident the payments can be kept up for as long as the person lives at the home.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Some people with complex health needs qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which means the NHS pays the full cost of their care, whatever their savings. It is assessed separately from the council's financial assessment, starting with a checklist that can be completed by a nurse, social worker or other professional. If you think a relative may qualify, ask for the checklist to be completed before or soon after they move.
Benefits
People who pay for their own care can usually still claim Attendance Allowance, which is not means tested. Benefits can change when someone moves into a care home, so let the Department for Work and Pensions know about the move.
Getting advice
Stockport Council recommends getting independent financial advice before making decisions about paying for care, and an adviser who specialises in care fees can explain options such as care fee annuities. Age UK and Stockport Council's own booklets are also good places to start.
At Berrycroft Manor, we accept residents who fund their own care, residents funded by the local authority where a top-up covers the difference between the council's rate and our fees, and residents funded by NHS Continuing Healthcare. If you would like to talk through fees or arrange a visit, please get in touch.
Questions families often ask about paying for care
Do I have to sell my home to pay for a care home?
Selling is one option, and families have more time than many expect. The value of the home is not counted for the first 12 weeks of a permanent stay, and it is not counted at all in some cases, for example if a husband, wife or partner still lives there. Families who do not want to sell can ask Stockport Council about a deferred payment agreement, where the fees are repaid when the home is eventually sold.
What is a top-up fee?
A top-up is the difference between what the council will pay for a care home place and the home's actual fee. A relative or friend can agree to pay it, usually through a formal agreement with the council.
Can I get help if I have more than £23,250 in savings?
Anyone with capital above £23,250 pays the full cost of a care home in England, unless they qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which is not means tested. Once savings are likely to fall to £23,250, contact Stockport Council a few months beforehand to arrange a financial assessment.
How do I ask for a care needs assessment in Stockport?
Contact Stockport Council's adult social care team on 0161 217 6029, Monday to Friday from 8am to 4.30pm, or through the council's website. Anyone can ask for an assessment, including family members on behalf of a relative.