Visiting restrictions during the pandemic left a lasting impression on many families, and some remain unsure what their actual rights are when it comes to visiting a relative in a care home today. The position has moved on considerably, and it is worth understanding clearly.
The essential caregiver principle
Guidance recognises the concept of an essential caregiver — a family member or friend who provides regular, important support to a resident's wellbeing, who should generally be able to visit even during periods of outbreak or heightened infection control, subject to reasonable precautions. Ask the home directly whether they operate an essential caregiver policy and how to be designated as one.
What a care home can and cannot restrict
A care home can set reasonable visiting hours and precautions, particularly during an infection outbreak, but a blanket ban on all visiting for extended periods without clear, proportionate justification is generally not considered acceptable practice under current guidance. If visiting is being restricted, ask for the specific reason and how long the restriction is expected to last.
End-of-life visiting
Guidance is particularly clear that visiting restrictions should not apply, or should be minimally applied, when a resident is nearing the end of their life — families should generally be able to be present. If this is not being facilitated, raise it immediately and escalate if needed.
What to do if you believe visiting rights are being unreasonably restricted
Raise the specific concern directly and in writing with the home's manager first. If unresolved, contact the CQC, who can consider whether a pattern of unreasonable restriction reflects a broader care quality concern, and your local Healthwatch, which advocates on behalf of care users and families.
What to ask before choosing a home
Ask any home you're considering about their visiting policy in normal circumstances and during an infection outbreak, and whether they have an essential caregiver scheme — a home with a clear, family-friendly policy from the outset is a good sign more broadly.
How to use this guide in practice
Don’t read this as general information — use it as a worksheet. Write down the details of the person who needs care, the current limits of the situation at home, the monthly budget, the documents you already have, whether a local-authority financial assessment may apply, and who you’ve already spoken with. Then turn every unclear point into a specific question. A family that arrives with a clear picture usually gets more useful answers than one calling under stress with scattered information.
Keep one simple rule: anything about admission, cost, funding, timelines and whether a care home fits must be confirmed directly with the care home or the competent authority serving your area. This guide prepares the search — it does not replace official decisions.
Want a clear shortlist before you start calling?
If you don’t know which care homes to contact first, Curalune Care Help can prepare an ordered shortlist of 3–5 suitable options — with CQC ratings, contacts, useful links and a ready-to-send inquiry.
The service helps you organise the search.£69, one-off. If you don't receive at least 3 homes matching the area and criteria you gave us, we refund you in full. It does not replace the care home’s own assessment and does not guarantee admission, price or bed availability.
Important limit
Curalune offers practical help with the search and orientation. Admission, pricing, bed availability and the final assessment always rest with the care homes and the competent authorities (the local authority, the NHS, the Care Quality Commission).
