---
title: "Enquiry API Overview"
slug: "enquiry-api-overview"
updated: 2026-10-21T12:40:14Z
published: 2026-10-21T12:40:14Z
canonical: "support.carehome.co.uk/enquiry-api-overview"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.carehome.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Enquiry API Overview

The carehome.co.uk Enquiry API lets you bring the enquiries your settings receive through carehome.co.uk into your own systems, such as a CRM, as JSON.

> [!NOTE]
> **Who can use it:** the Enquiry API is available to Enhanced and Platinum subscribers. You need some technical knowledge to use it. By using the API you agree to our [API terms of use](https://www.carehome.co.uk/terms/#api).

## Endpoints

| Method | Endpoint | Returns | Documentation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| GET | `/index.cfm/enquiry` | Your enquiries (JSON) | [Enquiry Data](https://support.carehome.co.uk/docs/enquiry-data) |
| GET | `/index.cfm/enquiry/category` | The enquiry categories you can filter by (JSON) | [Enquiry Categories](https://support.carehome.co.uk/docs/enquiry-categories) |

The Enquiry API is read-only. To have each new enquiry sent to you as it arrives, rather than collecting them on a schedule, see [Enquiry Webhooks Overview](https://support.carehome.co.uk/docs/webhooks-overview).

## Base URL

```
https://api.carehome.co.uk
```

All requests must use HTTPS. Both endpoints accept GET only; other methods return `405`. They work with or without a trailing slash.

## Authentication

Pass your API key as the `api_key` query parameter on every request. You can find your key in the Portal; see [Viewing your API Keys](https://support.carehome.co.uk/docs/viewing-your-api-keys).

```
GET https://api.carehome.co.uk/index.cfm/enquiry?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY
```

Every setting has its own API key, and so does every group. A setting's key returns that setting's enquiries. A group's key returns enquiries for the group and for each active setting in the group; use the `member` object on each enquiry to see which setting it was sent to.

## Errors

If your API key is missing or not accepted, the response has an `error` message:

```
{ "error": "Invalid API key" }
```

| Status | When | error |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 401 | No API key was sent. | `API key required` |
| 401 | The API key is not recognised. | `Invalid API key` |
| 401 | Your subscription does not include the Enquiry API. | A message asking you to contact us to upgrade. |
| 404 | A query parameter is not valid, or no enquiries match your request. See [Enquiry Data](https://support.carehome.co.uk/docs/enquiry-data). | A list of messages, for example `["No record found."]` |
| 404 | The URL is wrong. Check the path spelling. | `Not Found` |
| 405 | A method other than GET was used. | `Method Not Allowed` |
| 500 | Something went wrong on our side. Try again later; contact us if it continues. | `Internal server error` |

When a request is made with a valid key, the Enquiry API always returns the same envelope: `data` holds the results and `error` holds any messages. A request with a problem, or with no matching enquiries, returns `404` with an empty `data` list:

```
{
  "data": [],
  "error": ["No record found."]
}
```

## Anonymisation and deletion

Enquiries are anonymised after the retention period set out in the "Retaining and deleting personal data" section of our [privacy policy](https://www.carehome.co.uk/terms/#privacy), and straight away if someone asks us to erase their data. Anonymised enquiries are later deleted, and are then no longer returned by the API.

Anonymised enquiries are left out of results unless you ask for them; see the `excludeAnonymised` parameter in [Enquiry Data](https://support.carehome.co.uk/docs/enquiry-data).

## Support

Email [integrations@carehome.co.uk](mailto:integrations@carehome.co.uk) or call 01488 684321.