Care Home Trends in 2025

CARE HOME TRENDS IN 2025

Over the past year the UK care home sector has come under increasing pressure as an ageing population pushes demand beyond supply. With just under 17,000 care homes, approx. 529,500 beds, and a workforce of almost 788,000, social care remains one of Britain’s largest employment sectors and yet demand is outstripping supply.

At the same time, innovation, investment, and evolving care models are creating a quite different landscape from even a decade ago.

⭐ Larger, purpose-built care homes are becoming the dominant model with developments increasingly accommodate 60–80 residents.

⭐ “Luxury” care homes are gaining prominence with the majority being inaccessible to most of the population.

⭐  Technology and AI are moving into everyday care. Wearable health monitors, fall-detection sensors, pain-recognition apps. and remote monitoring systems are improving safety, supporting staff, and enhancing residents’ quality of life.

⭐ Design standards are also changing, with wet rooms increasingly viewed as essential due to their accessibility, safety, and infection-control benefits.

⭐ Specialist provision is becoming more critical, particularly for ageing people with learning disabilities, many of whom have increasingly complex care needs.

⭐ Extra pressure on local authority funding, leading to greater reliance on family top-ups and reduced access to publicly funded care.

The care home sector is changing fast — and how we respond now will shape outcomes for decades to come.

Whether you are a care provider, developer, commissioner or policymaker, collaboration is essential. How is your organisation adapting to these trends?

If you are looking to expand your team or for a career move, and you are a leader in the care home sector then please get in touch to see how we can help. Contact Sophie Reeves (sophie@experts2care.com) at Experts2care www.experts2care.com