Guides and market reports
Independent, evidence-led guides on CQC registration and registration support, and market reports on care in specific local authority areas.
Guides and market reports
- Telford & Wrekin · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in Telford & Wrekin: Capacity, Demand and the Market Outlook
Adult social care in Telford & Wrekin: 195,952 residents, a buoyant homecare market, and a clearer case for complex care.
- Telford & Wrekin · Primary care market
Primary Care in Telford & Wrekin: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in Telford & Wrekin: 35 pharmacies, no statutory gap, and 17.9 pharmacies per 100,000 against 19.5 in England.
- Telford & Wrekin · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in Telford & Wrekin: What the Market Evidence Shows
Starting a care service in Telford & Wrekin: generic homecare is well supplied, so test a specialist model before you register.
- Telford & Wrekin · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in Telford & Wrekin
Key challenges in Telford & Wrekin: competitive homecare, difficult night care, and 446 supported-housing units already planned.
- Worcestershire · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Worcestershire
Worcestershire adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. Council, NHS and CQC sources with dates in the report.
- Worcestershire · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Worcestershire
Key challenges in Worcestershire adult social care: demand, workforce, fees and commissioning. Council, NHS and CQC sources with dates in the report.
- Worcestershire · Primary care market
Primary care in Worcestershire
Primary care in Worcestershire: 614,185 residents, 88 pharmacies, 21 dispensing practices and uneven NHS dental access across six districts.
- Worcestershire · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Worcestershire
Starting a care service in Worcestershire: check contract access, the supported-living pipeline and staffing before you register.
- Gloucestershire · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 671,908 residents in the latest mid-2025 ONS estimate
- Gloucestershire · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Gloucestershire
40 pressures on Gloucestershire adult social care: demand, workforce, fees, placement and commissioning. 50% CQC local authority assessment score
- Gloucestershire · Primary care market
Primary care in Gloucestershire
Primary care in Gloucestershire: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. Council, NHS and CQC sources with dates in this report.
- Gloucestershire · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Gloucestershire
Starting a care service in Gloucestershire: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. MPS evidence with dates in this report.
- Swindon · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in Swindon: Capacity, Demand and the Market Outlook
Swindon adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 64% CQC local authority assessment score Council, NHS and CQC sources with dates in the report.
- Swindon · Primary care market
Primary Care in Swindon: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in Swindon: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. 238,417 residents Council, NHS and CQC sources with dates in the report.
- Swindon · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in Swindon: What the Market Evidence Shows
Starting a care service in Swindon: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 238,000 residents
- Swindon · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in Swindon
20 pressures on Swindon adult social care: demand, workforce, fees, placement and commissioning. 167 people Council, NHS and CQC sources with dates in the.
- Wiltshire · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in Wiltshire: Capacity, Demand and the Market Outlook
Wiltshire adult social care: mainstream homecare generally sufficient, 328 out-of-county placements, 41-day supported-living waits and a large rural market.
- Wiltshire · Primary care market
Primary Care in Wiltshire: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in Wiltshire: 13 PCNs, 62 community pharmacies (June 2025), Warminster and Corsham access findings, and cross-boundary dispensing.
- Wiltshire · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in Wiltshire: What the Market Evidence Shows
Starting care in Wiltshire: test locality and payer first. Mainstream homecare is generally sufficient; specialist and rural models need validation.
- Wiltshire · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in Wiltshire
Ten pressures on Wiltshire adult social care: rural access, mainstream homecare, specialist supported living, out-of-county care and fragile workforce capacity.
- Bath and North East Somerset · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Bath and North East Somerset
Capacity, demand and payer mix: 1,162 older-person beds, about 60% self-funded, and specialist gaps in learning disability and dementia.
- Bath and North East Somerset · Key local challenges
Key challenges in Bath and North East Somerset
Responsive mainstream care, but specialist housing, transitions, carers' breaks and assessment timeliness remain the weak points.
- Bath and North East Somerset · Primary care market
Primary care in Bath and North East Somerset
Six PCNs, 33 community pharmacies, and no contracted-service gap in the 2025–28 assessment. Opportunities are locality and pathway specific.
- Bath and North East Somerset · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Bath and North East Somerset
Test a specialist gap before you register. Mainstream placement is usually quick; need-driven out-of-area moves were 13 of 39 in June 2024.
- South Gloucestershire · Adult social care market
Adult social care in South Gloucestershire
South Gloucestershire adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 290,400 residents at the 2021 Census Approximately 299,200 residents projected.
- South Gloucestershire · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in South Gloucestershire
Fourteen South Gloucestershire care pressures: specialist waits, supported living, out-of-area care and a CQC score of 59%.
- South Gloucestershire · Primary care market
Primary care in South Gloucestershire
Primary care in South Gloucestershire: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. 299,200 residents projected for 2025
- South Gloucestershire · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in South Gloucestershire
Starting a care service in South Gloucestershire: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 69 providers
- Bristol · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Bristol
Bristol adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 483,000 residents Population growth of around 10.6% between 2012 and 2022 Population growth.
- Bristol · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Bristol
Fourteen Bristol care pressures: homecare supply, supported accommodation, Extra Care, the Single Framework and a CQC score of 64%.
- Bristol · Primary care market
Primary care in Bristol
Primary care in Bristol: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. Approximately 495,300 residents in the updated mid-2025 estimate.
- Bristol · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Bristol
Starting a care service in Bristol: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 1,000 vacancies Council, NHS and CQC sources with.
- North Somerset · Adult social care market
Adult social care in North Somerset
North Somerset adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 224,400 residents projected in 2025 Population projected to rise to around 244,100 by.
- North Somerset · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in North Somerset
Twelve North Somerset care pressures: residential oversupply, Extra Care, supported living, workforce and council finances.
- North Somerset · Primary care market
Primary care in North Somerset
Primary care in North Somerset: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. Population projected to reach around 231,000 by 2030 Population.
- North Somerset · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in North Somerset
Starting a care service in North Somerset: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 48 packages
- Somerset · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Somerset
Somerset adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 581,145 residents in the June 2026 CQC assessment 25.31% of residents aged 65 and over
- Somerset · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Somerset
Eleven Somerset care pressures: ageing, rural access, complex homecare, supported living, workforce and a CQC score of 53%.
- Somerset · Primary care market
Primary care in Somerset
Primary care in Somerset: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. 581,145 residents in the June 2026 CQC adult social care assessment
- Somerset · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Somerset
Starting a care service in Somerset: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 580,000 residents
- Dorset · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Dorset
Dorset adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 383,809 residents in the CQC June 2026 assessment 30% of residents aged 65 and over
- Dorset · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Dorset
Seven Dorset care pressures: ordinary oversupply, specialist beds, Extra Care, supported living, mental health and turnover.
- Dorset · Primary care market
Primary care in Dorset
Primary care in Dorset: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. More than 380,000 residents in the Dorset Council area More than 380,000.
- Dorset · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Dorset
Starting a care service in Dorset: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 380,000 residents
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. Approximately 404,050 residents Approximately 404,050 residents
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Key challenges in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole adult social care: Extra Care, supported housing, reablement and a CQC score of 56%.
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · Primary care market
Primary care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Primary care in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. Approximately 404,050 residents Approximately.
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Starting a care service in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 400,000 residents
- Isle of Wight · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight adult social care: about 143,500 residents, 30.5% aged 65 or over by 2030, 909 residential beds and a prime-provider homecare market.
- Isle of Wight · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Isle of Wight
38 Isle of Wight adult social care pressures: residential reliance, homecare waits, supported living, Extra Care and an 8.2% vacancy rate.
- Isle of Wight · Primary care market
Primary care in Isle of Wight
Primary care on the Isle of Wight: 12 GP practices across 20 sites, three PCNs, 27 pharmacies and a weekday evening gap from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
- Isle of Wight · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Isle of Wight
Starting a care service on the Isle of Wight: test the gap, the prime-provider route and the workforce. Homecare packages rose from 332 to 554.
- Hampshire · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Hampshire
Hampshire adult social care in the county council area: 16.9% of residents are 70 or over, against 13.7% in England. MPS and CQC evidence with dates.
- Hampshire · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Hampshire
38 pressures on Hampshire adult social care. Extra Care has 974 apartments, against an ambition of around 1,500 units. Evidence dates in this report.
- Hampshire · Primary care market
Primary care in Hampshire
Primary care in Hampshire: 19 PCNs in the wider county and four in North East Hampshire, 23 across the county after April 2026.
- Hampshire · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Hampshire
Starting a care service in Hampshire: test the local gap first. Extra Care has 974 apartments, against an ambition of around 1,500.
- Portsmouth · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Portsmouth
Portsmouth adult social care: 507 residential beds and 461 nursing beds, while standard homecare supply already exceeds demand.
- Portsmouth · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Portsmouth
35 pressures on Portsmouth adult social care. The homecare purchasing system lists 62 providers, and 47 of them are active.
- Portsmouth · Primary care market
Primary care in Portsmouth
Primary care in Portsmouth: five PCNs serve different populations, from about 32,200 registered patients in the north to 62,400 at Portsdown.
- Portsmouth · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Portsmouth
Starting a care service in Portsmouth: test the local gap before registration. Vacancy is 4.1% and staff turnover is 17.8%.
- Southampton · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Southampton
Southampton adult social care: 55.5% of long-term users need physical support, with nursing and specialist care the clearer local gaps.
- Southampton · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Southampton
34 pressures on Southampton adult social care. The 65-plus population is forecast to grow 18.2% by 2030, and the 80-plus population 28.9%.
- Southampton · Primary care market
Primary care in Southampton
Primary care in Southampton: healthy life expectancy is 57.6 years for men and 59.0 for women, across seven primary care networks.
- Southampton · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Southampton
Starting a care service in Southampton: test the local gap before registration. Vacancy is 6.8% and staff turnover is 22.7%.
- West Berkshire · Adult social care market
Adult social care in West Berkshire
West Berkshire adult social care: residents aged 65 and over are up 34% since 2011, and those over 90 are up 47%. MPS evidence with dates.
- West Berkshire · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in West Berkshire
34 pressures on West Berkshire adult social care, including 66 of 108 learning-disability placements outside the district.
- West Berkshire · Primary care market
Primary care in West Berkshire
Primary care in West Berkshire: 16 pharmacies, about 1.0 per 10,000 residents, against 1.7 nationally. PNA and NHS sources with dates in this report.
- West Berkshire · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in West Berkshire
Starting a care service in West Berkshire: test the local gap, fees and workforce first. About 550 of 4,100 posts are vacant.
- Oxfordshire · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire adult social care: strong overall capacity, with 270 out-of-county placements and longer waits for supported living.
- Oxfordshire · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Oxfordshire
28 pressures on Oxfordshire adult social care: specialist gaps, supported-living waits, out-of-county placement and high workforce turnover.
- Oxfordshire · Primary care market
Primary care in Oxfordshire
Primary care in Oxfordshire: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. 769,831 residents in the ONS mid-2025 estimate
- Oxfordshire · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Oxfordshire
Starting a care service in Oxfordshire: test specialist gaps, framework access and workforce before registration. Evidence dates in this report.
- Buckinghamshire · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 553,079 estimated residents in the 2025 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment
- Buckinghamshire · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Buckinghamshire
28 pressures on Buckinghamshire adult social care: demand, workforce, fees, placement and commissioning. 73% CQC local authority assessment score
- Buckinghamshire · Primary care market
Primary care in Buckinghamshire
Primary care in Buckinghamshire: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. 553,079 estimated residents in the 2025 Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment
- Buckinghamshire · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Buckinghamshire
Starting a care service in Buckinghamshire: homecare up 63% since 2021, with complex supported living and extra care the clearer gaps.
- Wokingham · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Wokingham
Wokingham adult social care: 187,200 residents in 2024, up from 177,502 in 2021, with selective gaps in complex local care.
- Wokingham · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Wokingham
24 pressures on Wokingham adult social care: demand, workforce, fees, placement and commissioning. 81% CQC local authority assessment score
- Wokingham · Primary care market
Primary care in Wokingham
Primary care in Wokingham: 187,200 residents, 20 pharmacies at 10.8 per 100,000, and local GP lists above the England ratio.
- Wokingham · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Wokingham
Starting a care service in Wokingham: test the gap, the framework and the workforce first. 32 of 39 learning-disability placements were out of area.
- Surrey · Adult social care market
Adult social care in Surrey
Surrey adult social care: capacity, demand and commissioning. 1,255,255 estimated residents in mid-2025 1,203,108 residents at the 2021 Census
- Surrey · Key local challenges
Key challenges for adult social care in Surrey
20 pressures on Surrey adult social care: demand, workforce, fees, placement and commissioning. 2 CQC local authority assessment score
- Surrey · Primary care market
Primary care in Surrey
Primary care in Surrey: GP access, pharmacy, PCNs and neighbourhood services. 1,255,255 estimated Surrey residents in mid-2025
- Surrey · Starting a care service
Starting a care service in Surrey
Starting a care service in Surrey: market test, commissioning route and workforce before registration. 3,000 vacancies Council, NHS and CQC sources with.
- Medway · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in Medway: Capacity, Demand and the Market Outlook
Medway adult social care: 293k residents, 67 care homes, 1,756 beds, homecare framework pressure and specialist dementia and nursing gaps.
- Medway · Primary care market
Primary Care in Medway: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in Medway: health inequalities, GP pressure, 51 pharmacies, neighbourhood health and NHS Kent and Medway ICB commissioning context.
- Medway · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in Medway: What the Market Evidence Shows
Starting a care service in Medway: test client group, fees and planned council capacity before CQC registration. Selective gaps in dementia and nursing care.
- Medway · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in Medway
Seventeen pressures on Medway adult social care: rising demand, dementia and nursing gaps, homecare quality, workforce, discharge, fees and commissioning.
- West Sussex · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in West Sussex: Capacity, Demand and the Market Outlook
West Sussex adult social care: 923,200 residents, 11,210 on long-term support, 120+ homecare providers, a large self-funder market and specialist gaps.
- West Sussex · Primary care market
Primary Care in West Sussex: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in West Sussex: 915,000 residents, 74 GP practices, 21 PCNs, 142 pharmacies, ageing, inequalities and neighbourhood NHS direction.
- West Sussex · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in West Sussex: What the Market Evidence Shows
Starting a care service in West Sussex: test client group, geography and funding before registration. 120+ homecare providers and selective specialist gaps.
- West Sussex · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in West Sussex
Sixteen pressures on West Sussex adult social care: complexity, geography, self-funding, fees, workforce, homecare competition, reablement and commissioning.
- Kent · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in Kent: Scale, Demand and the Market Outlook
Kent adult social care: 1.65m residents, 514 care homes, homecare sourcing pressure, nursing gaps and district-level variation across 12 districts.
- Kent · Primary care market
Primary Care in Kent: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in Kent: 1.65m residents, 251 pharmacies, GP neighbourhood care, Pharmacy First, coastal inequality and Kent and Medway ICB commissioning.
- Kent · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in Kent: What the Market Evidence Shows
Starting a care service in Kent: test client group, district and commissioning before registration. Open homecare framework from April 2027 and 12 districts.
- Kent · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in Kent
Twenty pressures on Kent adult social care: scale, assessments, homecare, specialist gaps, prevention, safeguarding, fees, workforce and locality.
- Brighton & Hove · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in Brighton & Hove: Complexity, Capacity and the Market Outlook
Adult social care in Brighton & Hove: 283,870 residents, established mainstream provision, and clearer gaps in nursing, dementia, respite and complex needs.
- Brighton & Hove · Primary care market
Primary Care in Brighton & Hove: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in Brighton & Hove: 333,619 GP patients, six PCNs, rising appointments, access below regional averages, pharmacy coverage and neighbourhood care.
- Brighton & Hove · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in Brighton & Hove: What the Market Evidence Shows
Starting a care service in Brighton & Hove: test client group, funding and gaps before registration. Mainstream care is established; specialist need is sharper.
- Brighton & Hove · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in Brighton & Hove
Ten pressures on Brighton & Hove adult social care: complex needs, specialist gaps, assessment delays, workforce, fees, property limits and prevention.
- East Sussex · Adult social care market
Adult Social Care in East Sussex: Capacity, Demand and the Market Outlook
Adult social care in East Sussex: an ageing population, tight nursing capacity, spare residential beds, home care above demand and targeted supported living.
- East Sussex · Primary care market
Primary Care in East Sussex: Demand, Access and the Local Market
Primary care in East Sussex: 50 GP practices, 591,000 patients, 3.77 million appointments a year, same-day access, the wider workforce and community pharmacy.
- East Sussex · Starting a care service
Starting an Adult Social Care Service in East Sussex: What the Market Data Shows
Starting a care service in East Sussex: what the market data shows for care homes, nursing homes, home care, supported living and specialist services.
- East Sussex · Key local challenges
The Key Challenges Facing Adult Social Care in East Sussex
Eight East Sussex care pressures: ageing, complexity, nursing beds, workforce, commissioning, affordability, prevention and resilience.
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