How Much Does Home Care Cost in West Sussex? Fees, Funding and What Affects the Price

Information and funding guidance checked: 25 August 2026

If you are looking into care for yourself or a family member, one of the first questions is likely to be: how much does home care cost in West Sussex?

It is an important question, particularly if care may be needed every day or for an extended period.

At Nightingales Care, 60-minute weekday home care visits start from £32 per hour, while live-in care starts from £1,650 per week.

The total amount you pay will depend mainly on how many hours of care you need, how frequently visits are required, when those visits take place and whether you need visiting, overnight or live-in care.

Below, we explain what can affect the cost and what to consider when comparing home care providers in West Sussex.

How Much Does Home Care Cost in West Sussex?

For Nightingales Care, weekday home care starts from £32 for a 60-minute visit.

That means the overall cost of care is primarily determined by the number and length of visits you require.

For example, somebody who needs an hour of support three mornings a week will naturally spend considerably less than somebody receiving several visits every day.

For people who require more substantial ongoing support, live-in care with Nightingales starts from £1,650 per week.

These are starting prices. Costs can vary depending on factors such as the time and day care is required and the type of support needed.

What Affects the Cost of Home Care?

The length of each visit

The length of each care visit has a direct impact on cost.

Nightingales can provide home care in Bognor Regis and surrounding areas, ranging from shorter visits through to several hours at a time depending on what support is required.

Someone might need a carer for help with getting dressed and preparing breakfast in the morning, for example, while another person may benefit from longer visits incorporating personal care, meals, housework and companionship.

For a standard 60-minute weekday visit, prices currently start from £32 per hour.

How frequently care is needed

The number of visits required each week will be one of the biggest factors in the overall cost.

Some people may only require support several times per week, while others may need carers to visit in the morning, at lunchtime, in the evening and before bed.

Care requirements can also change over time. Someone may initially require a small amount of support and gradually increase their care as their circumstances change.

The important question is therefore not simply “What is the hourly rate?” but also “How many hours of appropriate support do I actually need?”

The time of day

The time at which care is provided can affect the rate charged.

When comparing providers, it is worth asking whether different rates apply for early mornings, evenings or other times outside standard weekday hours.

Weekends and bank holidays

Weekend and bank-holiday rates can differ from normal weekday rates.

If care is required seven days a week, ask providers to explain these charges clearly so you can calculate the likely weekly and monthly cost rather than comparing weekday hourly rates alone.

Whether two carers are required

Some people can be supported safely by one carer.

In certain circumstances, however, two carers may be required for specific aspects of care, particularly where mobility and safe moving and handling are involved.

An initial care assessment can establish whether this is necessary.

Overnight care

For somebody who requires support during the night, Nightingales can also provide overnight care.

Depending on the person's circumstances, this could involve a sleeping night, where a carer is available if required, or a waking night where the carer remains awake to provide regular assistance.

Overnight care is therefore priced differently from an ordinary daytime hourly visit.

Live-in care

Where someone needs significant ongoing support but wants to remain in their own home, live-in care can provide an alternative to multiple separate visits or moving into residential care.

A professional carer lives in the person's home and can provide support with areas such as personal care, meals, medication, companionship and everyday routines.

Nightingales live-in care currently starts from £1,650 per week.

The final cost will depend on the person's care requirements and circumstances.

How Will Nightingales Work Out How Much Care I Need?

Before care begins, Nightingales can arrange a free home care assessment.

The purpose of this assessment is not to create an arbitrary package price. It is to understand how much care is actually required so that the right schedule of visits can be put in place.

This can include looking at:

• the tasks you need help with;
• how long visits are likely to need to be;
• how many visits you need each day or week;
• what times those visits should take place;
• whether support is required overnight; and
• whether visiting or live-in care is the more appropriate option.

Once the level of care has been established, Nightingales can clearly explain the applicable rates and what the resulting weekly cost is likely to be.

This gives families the opportunity to understand both the hourly cost and the likely total cost before making a decision.

How to Compare Home Care Prices

When researching home care costs in West Sussex, comparing the headline hourly price alone can sometimes be misleading.

If one provider quotes £30 per hour but requires longer minimum visits, while another charges £32 but allows care to be arranged more closely around what you actually need, the cheapest headline figure may not result in the lowest overall cost.

When speaking to providers, ask:

• What is your standard weekday hourly rate?
• What is your minimum visit length?
• What are the prices for shorter visits?
• Do evening rates differ?
• Are weekend rates different?
• What are your bank-holiday rates?
• Are there any additional charges?
• How is overnight care charged?
• What happens if two carers are required?
• What is included within live-in care?
• How often are your care prices reviewed?

A care provider should be willing to explain its rates clearly enough for you to understand what you are likely to pay.

Visiting Care or Live-In Care: Which Is More Cost-Effective?

This depends heavily on how much support somebody requires.

If you only need one or two visits each day, paying an hourly rate for visiting care is likely to make more sense.

However, as the number of hours increases, there may come a point where it is worth comparing the combined cost of multiple daily visits with other options.

With Nightingales:

• 60-minute weekday home care starts from £32 per hour
• Live-in care starts from £1,650 per week

Cost should not be the only consideration, however. The person's independence, safety, routine, care needs and preference for remaining in their own home are equally important.

Talk to Nightingales About Home Care Costs

Working out what care is needed can feel complicated, particularly if you are arranging support for a parent or family member for the first time.

Nightingales Care is an independent, family-run care provider supporting people across Bognor Regis and the surrounding areas of West Sussex.

We can talk through your circumstances, explain our current rates and arrange a free care assessment to establish what level of support may be appropriate.

There is no obligation to proceed simply because you ask for advice.