there ARE such things as council run care homes (residential) but they are few and far between - it's mainly privately run care homes. However there is a middle way - my MIL was in a council place and had her own flat in a complex. There were carers on site who came in 4 times a day and available 24 hrs a day via a call button. The criteria was strict for entry as it wa a really popular place. Simply feeling unsafe owuld not qualify you. it seems much more likely to me that if your sister cant pay, they'll give her care in the community instead - carers coming to her house to help her wash, dres, eat etc