A National Care Service would, in time, make personal care free for older people, but nothing has changed yet and the way care is paid for today still applies. The government has committed to building one in the next Parliament, with the detail still to come from an independent commission due to report in summer 2027.
To talk anything through with someone local, our St Albans team is on 01727 324 127.
It is a fair question for families, because care costs are a real worry. So here is what was actually said, what stays the same for now, and where to start if a parent needs help this winter.
What has the government said about a National Care Service?
On 9 October 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care set out its plans in a DHSC social care blog on the future of adult social care. It confirmed a commitment to establish the new service in the next Parliament.
The main points for families are these:
- The service will provide free personal care for older people. The examples given are help with bathing and using the toilet.
- Existing means-tested council contributions will remain for "bed and board".
- Baroness Casey's commission will recommend how and when the service is built up. Her report is due in summer 2027.
- A first Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, backed by £500 million in its first year, is set to launch in 2028.
- There are also plans for a first unpaid carers champion and a workforce action plan.
The blog does not give a start date for free personal care. In practice, that means no family should plan around it yet.
Does the National Care Service change what you pay now?
No. Today, councils in England still use the national charging rules. If your parent needs care this winter, those are the rules that apply.
For 2026 to 2027, the GOV.UK charging circular for local authorities sets the upper capital limit at £23,250 and the lower limit at £14,250. Between those limits, a person is treated as having £1 a week of income for every £250 of capital.
Our page on how the care means test works walks through those limits with plain examples.
How does Hertfordshire apply this to care at home?
Hertfordshire County Council's guide to paying for care is clear on one important point. For care at home, the property your parent lives in is not counted.
If their other assets are over £23,250, they pay the full cost. If they have less, the council works out how much they should contribute. A care home is different, because property can then be counted.
Where a care home is being considered, our guide to deferred payment agreements explains one way families manage that cost without an immediate sale.
What would free personal care cover, and what would it not?
Personal care is the hands-on help with daily living. The examples DHSC gives are help with bathing and using the toilet.
However, the detail is not settled. The blog says means-tested contributions stay for bed and board, which matters most for care homes. It does not say how help such as companionship, cleaning or overnight support would be treated.
So it is sensible to read any headline about "free care" carefully. For now, it describes a plan, not a service you can apply for.
Should you wait for the new system before arranging care?
Waiting rarely helps when a parent is struggling now. Needs tend to grow quietly, for example with a fall, missed meals or a short hospital stay. Also, some help in place early often makes a later crisis less likely.
A sensible first step is a care needs assessment from the council. It looks at needs first, and money is looked at separately afterwards. Our guide to care needs assessments in Hertfordshire explains how to ask and what to expect.
According to the council's page on how to get adult social care, you ask online. Someone then visits to talk about daily life at home and outside, which usually takes 30 minutes to two hours. If care is needed, a financial assessment follows.
What families can do this winter
- Ask for a needs assessment, even if you expect to pay privately.
- Gather recent bank and savings statements before the financial assessment.
- Write down what help is needed and when, in your parent's own words where possible.
- Keep an eye on official updates after the Casey commission reports.
How will families hear about changes?
The best places to watch are the DHSC social care blog and GOV.UK. Hertfordshire County Council's own charging pages are worth checking too, because they show the rules the council applies locally.
We will keep our later life care guidance for Hertfordshire families in line with the rules as they actually stand, not as they are trailed.
Frequently asked questions
Is personal care free in England now?
No. Free personal care for older people is a stated aim of the government's plans, but no start date has been given. Today, the council means test still decides who pays and how much.
Will my parent's house be counted if they have care at home?
Not under Hertfordshire County Council's current rules. For care at home, the property your parent lives in is left out. The position is different if they move into a care home.
When will we know more about the National Care Service?
Baroness Casey's commission is due to report in summer 2027. It will recommend how and when the service is built up.
Should we still apply for help from the council?
Yes, if your parent is finding daily life harder. The assessment looks at what they need before any money questions. It also gives you a clear record of needs, whatever the future rules turn out to be.
How Starling Homecare can help
Starling Homecare is a family run, CQC-registered home care provider based in St Albans. We provide visiting care, personal care, overnight care and live-in care. If you want to understand how care at home could work for your parent under today's rules, our team is glad to talk it through.
Figures and guidance checked on 25 October 2026 against the DHSC social care blog, the GOV.UK charging circular 2026 to 2027 and Hertfordshire County Council.
Arranging Care Is Simple
Starting care can feel like a big step. We keep it calm and straightforward, and we are here to guide you from your very first call.
1. Talk to us
Get in touch by phone or request a callback. We will listen, answer your questions and help you understand the options, so you can decide what feels right in your own time.
2. A home visit and initial consultation
We arrange a visit to understand your routines, your home and what matters most to you. Together we agree an initial consultation and shape the support that feels right.
3. Your care begins
A small, familiar team starts your care, arriving at the agreed times and staying involved as your needs change. We remain your trusted adviser throughout.
Whenever you are ready, we are here to help.