1. Start with a Care Needs Assessment
Before you begin visiting homes, your local council can arrange a care needs assessment. This determines the type and level of support required, this could be residential, nursing, or specialist care such as dementia or respite.
Even if you plan to fund care privately, this assessment helps ensure you choose a home that can meet your exact needs safely and effectively.
2. Think About Location, Comfort, and Community
Location matters. You may want a home close to family and friends, or near a familiar community. When exploring options, consider:
Is the home easy to visit by public transport or car?
Does it feel welcoming, calm, and homely?
Are residents encouraged to take part in community life?
A care home should feel like home, a place where people can live well, stay connected, and enjoy everyday comforts.
3. What’s Daily Life Like in the Home?
High-quality care is about more than meeting physical needs. It’s about creating meaningful moments and relationships. When visiting a home, ask yourself:
Do residents seem happy and engaged?
Do staff members take time to talk, listen, and get to know each person?
What is the menu for the day? Are dietary needs being catered for?
Are there activities, celebrations, or opportunities to keep busy and connected?
At the Holmes care Group we know that a vibrant daily life contributes to wellbeing, independence, and a sense of purpose. Visit our Care Home Life Section to find out about our community.
4. Understand Fees, Funding, and What’s Included
Care home fees vary depending on the level of care and facilities. If you’re unsure what help is available, your local council can carry out a financial assessment to see whether you qualify for partial or full funding.
Read our Financial Assessment information for more help on this topic.
When reviewing costs, make sure you understand:
What’s included in the weekly fee (e.g. meals, laundry, activities).
Whether any additional charges apply.
If top-ups are required for premium rooms or extras.
Being clear about fees and funding helps avoid unexpected costs later on.
5. Check Inspection Ratings and Compliance
How Care Home Inspections Work
All registered care homes are independently inspected to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with national standards.
In Scotland, the Care Inspectorate rates homes on a six-point scale from Unsatisfactory [1] to Excellent [6], assessing areas such as care and support, leadership, staffing, and resident wellbeing.
In England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gives homes one of four ratings: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Inspections focus on whether services are Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, and Well-led.
These ratings are public and provide a reliable snapshot of how well a home performs.
Why Ratings Matter
Transparency and trust: Ratings allow you to compare care homes with confidence.
Quality assurance: Independent inspections confirm homes meet required standards.
Continuous improvement: Feedback is used it to learn and grow.
Peace of mind: Good ratings show that residents receive care that is safe, respectful, and responsive to their needs.
At Holmes Care Group, we are registered with both the Care Inspectorate and the CQC. We view inspection feedback as a vital part of our ongoing commitment to improvement, working closely with regulators and local Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland and England to ensure every resident receives the best possible care.
6. Read Independent Reviews and Feedback
Alongside inspection reports, you can view independent reviews of Holmes Care homes on carehome.co.uk. These reviews come from residents, families, and visitors with direct, lived experience of our homes.
They offer real insights into the warmth of our teams, the quality of food and activities, and the overall atmosphere of our homes. Independent feedback helps us celebrate what we do well and continue to improve where we can.
7. Visit and Ask Questions
No website or report can replace a personal visit. Take time to tour the home, meet staff, and observe daily life. You might ask:
What is the ratio of staff to residents?
How are residents supported to maintain independence?
How often are care plans reviewed?
How are families involved in decisions?
You’ll know you’ve found the right home when it feels warm, safe, and personal — a place where care feels genuine.
Contact us today to book a tour of our homes.
8. Make Your Decision with Confidence
Once you’ve compared inspection ratings, visited homes, and considered funding, you’ll have a clear picture of what feels right. The best care home is one that offers more than care - it offers community, dignity, and comfort.
At Holmes Care Group, our homes are built on trust, compassion, and a simple belief: care should come from the heart. Through strong partnerships, independent oversight, and genuine human connection, we create places where every resident feels valued and truly at home.
