Kent care market report 2026
England's largest council care market. Demand grows by half within a decade, the council pays some of the highest fees in the country, and quality trails England.
Len Burgess, lead analyst, with years working in nursing and care homes.Care homes cluster on the coast and in the west, leaving Ashford and Swale thin
485 care homes mapped. Source: CQC active locations, 1 Oct 2026.
Care homes cluster on the coast and in the west, leaving Ashford and Swale thin
485 care homes mapped. Source: CQC active locations, 1 Oct 2026.
- Most homes and beds of any council in England: 487 homes, 14,824 beds.
- Two in three beds are paid for by residents, the NHS, or are empty, so self funders drive the market.
- The council wants dementia nursing, extra care and complex needs services, not more standard residential.
Ten things to know about Kent
The first three are free. The full executive summary, with the opportunity scorecard, is in the report.
- Most homes and beds of any council in England.
- Two in three beds are not council funded, so self funders drive the market.
- The council wants dementia nursing, extra care and complex needs services.
- Demand outruns supply. Kent's 85+ population grows 51% by 2035. Holding today's 315 beds per 1,000 aged 85+ needs about 7,500 more beds; the last two years added a net 83.
- The council pays well, but funds only a third of beds. Kent's residential rate (£1,187 a week) is 24% above England and its nursing rate (£1,378) is fifth highest of 152 councils.
- The council wants nursing and dementia beds, not standard residential. Its 2025 to 2035 Market Position Statement says standard residential care is over provided and dementia nursing care is under provided.
Kent pays more than most of the South East, and has about the average number of beds
Kent's residential fee is in the top third of South East councils
Council rate for residential care, 65+, £ per week, 2025/26. Each dot is a South East council.
Source: Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund returns 2025/26. England median £962.
Kent sits mid table on beds for its oldest residents
Care home beds per 1,000 people aged 85+, 2026. Each dot is a South East council.
Source: CQC active locations (1 Oct 2026); ONS 2022 based projections. England 304.
Supply is tightest in Gravesham, Tonbridge and Malling, Ashford and Swale
Kent averages 294 older people's care home beds for every 1,000 people aged 85+, but the 12 districts range from 204 in Gravesham to 371 in Dartford. Ashford combines one of the lowest ratios with the fastest growth in Kent: its 85+ population rises 61% by 2035.
The report profiles all 12 districts, with every home of 20 beds or more.
Four districts have fewer than 250 older people's beds per 1,000 aged 85+
Older people's care home beds per 1,000 aged 85+, by district, 2026
Source: CQC active locations, 1 Oct 2026, matched to districts by postcode; ONS 2022 based projections.
50 pages, 33 sections, 12 district profiles
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Residential care fees, all 152 councils
Council rate, 65+, £ per week, 2025/26
Each council links to its own report page. Source: MSIF 2025/26.
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