Author and Publication
Author: Ben Slater, Registered Social Worker, Founder and Managing Director of Nellie Supports
Reviewed by: Kerry Slater, Director of Operations
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
Citation
1. Department of Health and Social Care (2022) National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-framework-for-nhs-continuing-healthcare-and-nhs-funded-nursing-care
2. R v North and East Devon Health Authority, ex parte Coughlan [2000] 2 WLR 622.
3. Mental Capacity Act 2005, c. 9. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents
4. Care Act 2014, c. 23. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/contents
Copywright
Copyright © 2026 Nellie Supports Ltd. All rights reserved.
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This article does not constitute legal advice, clinical advice or a substitute for a decision-specific professional assessment. Where legislation, government guidance, court forms or external professional materials are referred to, those materials remain subject to their own copyright, licensing and re-use terms.
Abstract
This guide explains how professionals refer a case for independent NHS Continuing Healthcare support. It covers who typically refers, what information to provide at referral, consent and information sharing, how urgency and deadlines are handled, conflicts of interest, what the client is told, and what happens after a referral is made.
CHC referral routes for professionals
Referrals reach us from solicitors, deputies, care providers, social workers and financial advisers. What makes a referral work is the same in each case: enough information to assess whether we can help, and clarity about the deadline.
Who refers
Private client and Court of Protection solicitors, professional and lay deputies, care home and domiciliary providers, local authority social workers, independent social workers, financial advisers and case managers. Families also come directly. The route does not change the work, though a professional referral usually arrives with better documentation.
What to provide at referral
A short summary of the person's situation and the question in dispute. Whether an assessment has taken place and what the outcome was. Any deadline. Whether the completed Decision Support Tool and decision are held. The approximate volume of care records. That is enough to say whether we can assist and roughly what would be involved.
Consent and information sharing
Confirm the basis on which information is shared, and who holds authority where the person may lack capacity. Where an attorney or deputy is instructing, the authority document should be provided. Where the person has capacity, their consent to the assessment and to information sharing should be confirmed. Settling this at referral avoids delay.
Deadlines and urgency
State any deadline at the point of referral rather than later. Local resolution and panel dates are fixed, and the value of a report depends on it arriving before the submission date. Where a deadline is very tight, say so immediately so a realistic view can be taken about whether the work can be done properly in the time.
Conflicts of interest
We check whether we have previously acted in a way that conflicts, including having assessed the same person for a different party. Where a conflict exists we say so and decline. Referrers should also consider their own position, particularly care providers referring residents, where the commercial interest should be acknowledged openly.
What the client is told
That the assessment is independent, that findings will be reported as they are found, and that the conclusion may not support the case. Referrers should ensure the client understands this before instruction rather than discovering it on receipt of the report. It avoids an uncomfortable conversation later.
After referral
We review what has been provided and give a view on whether we can assist and what would be involved. Scope and cost are agreed in writing before work begins. Where we do not think the case is supportable, we say so at that point rather than after taking instructions and incurring cost.
Key takeaway
Provide a short summary, the assessment status, any deadline and the approximate records volume. Settle consent and authority at referral. State deadlines immediately, and make sure the client understands the report will say what it finds.
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Frequently asked questions
What information do you need to make a referral?
A short summary of the situation and the question in dispute, whether an assessment has taken place and its outcome, any deadline, whether the Decision Support Tool and decision are held, and the approximate volume of care records.
How are consent and authority handled?
Confirm the basis for information sharing at referral, and provide the authority document where an attorney or deputy is instructing. Where the person has capacity, their consent to assessment and information sharing should be confirmed.
What if the deadline is tight?
Say so at referral. A realistic view can then be taken about whether the work can be done properly in the time, rather than discovering the problem partway through.
Related NHS Continuing Healthcare pages
These links take you to the most relevant Nellie Supports service page and to the supporting guides that explain the surrounding process.
Speak to an independent CHC specialist
Nellie Supports prepares independent needs evidence for NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments, reviews and appeals across England and Wales. Our reports are written by registered social workers on a permanent employed team, with internal peer review before release. Call 0333 987 5118 or send an enquiry and we will talk through where you are in the process.