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DARLINGTON SPECIALIST

Expert Analysis of 33 Darlington Care Homes

87% of homes here are rated Good or Outstanding. See which are financially stable and where families report the best experience — so you can visit with confidence.

Official, verified sources
2 minutes. No sales calls.
Delivered in 10 minutesOfficial UK data

Your shortlist in 10 minutes

Three steps to a shortlist from 33 Darlington care homes.

1

1. Tell us what matters

Care needs, location preferences, and budget.

2

2. We analyse the evidence

We check inspection history, company finances, staff reviews, food hygiene records, and your local council's funding criteria — across 14,000+ care homes.

3

3. Your report arrives

Free Shortlist within 10 minutes. Personalised Matching Report within 24 hours.

A clear starting point, in 10 minutes

3 Recommended HomesStrongest Overall · Highest Rated · Best Value — each matched to your priorities
Neighbourhood Quality ScoreHow the local area rates for safety, transport, and amenities — scored 0–100
Funding Eligibility CheckNHS CHC, Council & DPA probability
Local Area AnalysisMap + demographics for your postcode
Suggested Next StepsA practical checklist for the week ahead — visits, calls, questions to ask
Expert ChecklistsVisit prep + telephone enquiry scripts

Need more detail?

Comprehensive analysis
in Personalised Matching Report

Darlington Care Home Market

Key figures for the local care home market, drawn from regulatory, financial, and food safety data

87%
Rated Good or Outstanding

Above the national average — most families here have strong options

See full market data for Darlington
33
Care Homes Analysed

Across Darlington and surrounding areas

34%
On Improving Trajectory

Homes trending upward based on recent official inspections

55%
Financially Stable

Based on public financial records for 29 homes

82%
Without Registered Manager

27 homes currently lack a registered manager

Official Rating Breakdown

2 Outstanding24 Good3 Requires Improvement1 Inadequate

CQC Quality by Domain

Average scores across Darlington care homes

SafeGood
EffectiveGood
CaringGood
ResponsiveGood
Well-LedGood

Darlington homes rate strongest on Responsive and weakest on Safe.

Inspection Freshness

How recently homes were inspected by the national regulator

1–3 years7 (23%)
Over 3 years23 (77%)

77% of homes have ratings over 3 years old. Our reports verify against multiple data sources to give you a more current picture.

Financial Health

Company stability across Darlington care homes

16 Low Risk3 Medium8 High2 Critical

Based on public financial records · 29 homes analysed

Regional Insight

Darlington Market Analysis 2026

Market Size
33 homes

Registered care homes for older adults across Darlington and surrounding areas.

Quality Rating
87%

Of homes meet the quality standard — giving your family strong choice in Darlington.

Manager Gap
82%

Of homes currently lack a registered manager — ask about this during your visit, as it affects day-to-day oversight.

Financial Risk
10 homes

Show signs of financial stress — worth checking before you commit. 55% of 29 analysed homes are financially stable.

Inspection Freshness
4.7 yrs

Average inspection age. 0% of homes inspected within the last 2 years.

Care Standards in Darlington

Specialist care coverage and food safety ratings across 33 homes

Specialist Care Coverage

  • 19 (58%)

    Dementia

  • 13 (39%)

    Mental Health

  • 12 (36%)

    Physical Disability

  • 10 (30%)

    Learning Disability

  • 5 (15%)

    Sensory Impairment

Food Hygiene

25 of Darlington homes assessed

4.9/ 5
23 5-star2 4-star

Financial Health

29 of 33 homes assessed

55%

Show no financial risk indicators

Low risk16
Medium risk3
High / Critical10 (34%)

Why families in Darlington use RightCareHome

Independent analysis that puts your family first

Without independent analysis

  • 33 homes to compare manually
  • Outdated directory data from years ago
  • Commission-driven recommendations
  • Hidden quality and safety issues

With RightCareHome

  • Top 5 homes matched to your needs
  • 14,000+ care homes analysed
  • 100% independent, zero commissions
  • CQC trends and enforcement checked
Independent analysis
10-minute shortlist
650+ data points

What Your Report Includes

Every report analyses 5 care homes across 15 official data sources

Personalised Matching Report
Surrey, March 2026
Expert Summary

Based on your requirements for nursing care with dementia specialisation near Surrey, we have identified 5 suitable care homes. Oakwood Manor stands out as the top match.

  • Oakwood Manor: Outstanding rating, excellent staff feedback
  • Riverside Gardens: best value at 8% below area average
  • Average weekly cost: £1,240 (5% below area average)

Best Quality

94%

£

Best Value

87%

Closest

89%

Overall status

Excellent

Average score

87/100

HomeMatchQuality
94%Outstanding
89%Good
87%Good

Our analysis found

Home 1 has the strongest staff feedback, but fees sit 12% above regional average. Home 3 offers equivalent care at a lower cost.

Match Profile

CareSafetyValueLocationStaff

Funding Summary

Estimated funding range

£20,000–£40,000/year

LA Rate
NHS CHC
Top-up Gap

See exactly this — personalised for your shortlisted homes

Get Your Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Care Homes in Darlington

Practical answers based on available local data and typical family concerns.

How many care homes are in Darlington?

Darlington has 33 registered care homes (11 nursing, 23 residential). Our database includes CQC ratings, pricing, and risk analysis for every home.

What is the average cost of a care home in Darlington?

Weekly costs in Darlington range from £0 to £0. The average is £0/week. Prices vary significantly by area — DL3 averages £0/week while Darlington 016 is £0/week.

Which Darlington areas have the best care homes?

DL3, Darlington 016, Darlington 015 have the highest concentration of homes rated Good or Outstanding. DL3 leads with 100% of homes meeting this standard.

How many dementia care homes are in Darlington?

19 homes offer specialist dementia care in Darlington, representing 58% of all homes. Our reports highlight which dementia homes are rated Good or Outstanding by CQC.

Are there mental health care homes in Darlington?

13 homes in Darlington specialise in mental health support, covering 39% of the local market.

What is the food hygiene standard in Darlington care homes?

Across 25 homes with FSA data in Darlington, the average food hygiene rating is 4.9 out of 5. 100% hold a 4 or 5-star rating.

Are Darlington care homes financially stable?

Of the 29 homes with financial data in Darlington, 55% show no financial risk indicators. Our reports flag any homes with medium, high, or critical financial risk.

Still have questions?

Share your situation and get an independent shortlist of homes.

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Based on official inspections, company accounts, and food hygiene records. Last reviewed April 2026.

Start with the facts about care in Darlington. The rest gets easier.

A free Darlington shortlist of 3 homes takes 2 minutes. The full report with financial checks, review analysis and funding guidance is £119 — delivered within 24 hours.

Independent30-day money-back guaranteeDelivered within 24 hours

5 quick questions, then your report arrives by email. No phone calls, no sales follow-up.

33 homes across Darlington — from DL3 to Darlington 016. See which ones suit your family.

Top-Rated Care Homes in Darlington

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All Care Homes in Darlington

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Verify it independently — financial stability, staffing, inspection trends and fair pricing in one report.

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Check funding — £69