More than half of care operators surveyed are planning to acquire another care home in the next 12 months.

Christie & Co’s Care Market Review 2026, launched today, points to continued activity and confidence in parts of the care market, alongside some significant ongoing pressures.

The findings show that:

  • 52% of operators surveyed are looking to acquire another care home in the next year
  • 69% of providers surveyed reported occupancy of 90% or above 
  • 43% of operators now have an ESG strategy, up from 33% in 2025

At the same time, fee growth is easing while operating costs remain a pressure, with average local authority fee uplifts for 2026/27 ranging from 4.3% to 5.1%.

The report shows an interesting snapshot of a sector that is continuing to invest and look for growth, while navigating some very real challenges.

Read the full Care Market Review 2026 from Christie & Co here