Ordinary residence is one of the key tests which must be met to establish whether a local authority is required to meet a person’s eligible needs. The test for ordinary residence applies differently in relation to adults with needs for care and support and carers. For adults with care and support needs, the local authority in which the adult is ordinarily resident will be responsible for meeting their eligible needs. For carers, however, the responsible local authority will be the one where the adult for whom they care is ordinarily resident. This is an important point to note, particularly if the carer provides care for more than one person in different local authority areas.

Ordinary residence can be acquired as soon as the person moves to an area, if their move is voluntary and for settled purposes. This is irrespective of whether they own, or have an interest in a property in another area.