Building Accessible Care Homes: Meeting and Exceeding Part M Requirements in 2025

Understanding Accessibility Requirements

Care homes serve people with mobility challenges, sensory impairments, and cognitive disabilities. Design must comply with Building Regulations Part M (Access to and Use of Buildings) as a minimum, ideally following BS 8300 for inclusive design innovacareconcepts.com.

Part M mandates that anyone, including wheelchair users, can approach and enter the building and use its facilities innovacareconcepts.com.

External Access and Approach

Creating accessible entrances sets the tone for inclusive design:

• Step-free access with level thresholds or gentle ramps
• Compliant ramps with handrails and gradients <1:12
• Automatic or easy-open doors
• Level pathways from parking areas
• Accessible parking bays near entrances

Internal Circulation Standards

Inside, generous dimensions ensure comfortable movement:

• Corridor widths of 1200mm minimum, with 1800mm+ recommended where wheelchairs might pass
• Door openings of 775-800mm clear width (typically 826mm door leaf) innovacareconcepts.com
• Wider doors (850mm clear) for bedrooms accommodating bariatric equipment
• Handrails along corridors
• Ample turning space at intersections

Lift Requirements

Passenger lifts are essential in multi-storey care homes:

• Part M requires lifts in buildings of two+ storeys where occupants cannot use stairs
• Sized for stretchers or large wheelchairs (13-person/1000kg minimum)
• Consideration for "evacuation lift" specifications with backup power
• Multiple lifts in larger facilities to avoid bottlenecks

Accessible Bedroom Design

All residents' rooms should promote independence hub.careinspectorate.com:

• 12-13 square metres usable floor space (excluding en-suite) hub.careinspectorate.com
• Space for wheelchair maneuvering beside bed and around furniture
• Room for care equipment like hoists or walking aids
• Clear access routes to en-suite facilities

The Scottish guidance specifies minimum 12.5 m² usable floor area for single bedrooms hub.careinspectorate.com.

En-Suite Bathroom Excellence

Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms require:

• Minimum 2.2m x 2.2m dimensions
• Level-access showers (wet room style) hub.careinspectorate.com
• Grab rails by toilets and showers
• Anti-slip flooring
• Reachable fixtures including lower light switches
• Emergency pull-cords

Specialized Bathing Facilities

Larger homes should include assisted bathing options:

• Guidelines suggest one assisted bath per 10 residents hub.careinspectorate.com
• Height-adjustable or hoist-accessible baths
• Adequate space for care staff assistance
• Privacy and dignity considerations

Beyond Compliance: BS 8300 Standards

BS 8300 provides extensive recommendations exceeding Part M baselines innovacareconcepts.com:

• Changing Places toilets for profound disabilities
• Enhanced acoustics and lighting standards
• Inclusive reception areas with low counters and hearing loops
• Color contrast for visual impairments innovacareconcepts.com

As noted by design experts, Document M sets basic requirements, but BS 8300 "strives to incorporate accessible design into mainstream design" innovacareconcepts.com.

Accommodating Complex Needs

For residents with severe disabilities:

• Bariatric-capable bedrooms of 16-20 m² hub.careinspectorate.com
• Ceiling track hoists in bedrooms and bathrooms
• Reinforced ceilings for hoist installation
• Specialist equipment storage with charging facilities hub.careinspectorate.com

Sensory Accessibility Features

Inclusive design addresses all disabilities:

• Visual fire alarms for hearing-impaired residents
• Tactile signage with Braille options
• Hearing induction loops in public areas
• Contrasting colors for doorframes and fixtures

Outdoor Accessibility

Gardens and outdoor spaces need equal attention:

• Level pathways with firm, slip-resistant surfaces
• Accessible seating areas with shade
• Raised planters for wheelchair users
• Enclosed designs preventing wandering while maintaining freedom

CQC's Person-Centered Approach

CQC expects environments to "promote people's independence" and enable them to "easily enter and exit premises and find their way around independently" cqc.org.uk.

Future-Proofing Through Universal Design

Designing to Lifetime Homes or wheelchair housing standards ensures flexibility as residents' needs change. Even if not every resident uses a wheelchair today, building to these standards prevents costly retrofits.

The RDS CareBuild Accessibility Advantage

At RDS CareBuild, accessibility isn't an afterthought - it's fundamental to our design philosophy. Our Southbourne project demonstrates this commitment with "accessibility considerations throughout, with potential for hoist systems, level thresholds, and wheelchair-friendly circulation." rdscarebuild.com

We exceed Part M requirements by incorporating BS 8300 principles, ensuring your care home truly serves everyone - residents, staff, and visitors alike. Our designs anticipate changing needs, creating environments where people with diverse abilities all feel at home.

Conclusion

These four comprehensive guides provide care home developers with essential knowledge for creating compliant, high-quality facilities. By understanding and implementing these requirements, you'll create environments that not only pass regulatory inspections but genuinely enhance the lives of residents and staff. RDS CareBuild stands ready to guide you through this complex landscape, ensuring your project succeeds on every level.