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. Department of Health and Social Care (2022) NHS Continuing Healthcare Decision Support Tool.
3. Care Act 2014, c. 23. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/contents
4. Mental Capacity Act 2005, c. 9. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents
Copywright
Copyright © 2026 Nellie Supports Ltd. All rights reserved.
This article is made available for general information, education and professional reference. It may be downloaded, printed and shared for non-commercial purposes, provided that it is reproduced in full, is not altered in any way, and is properly cited as the work of Nellie Supports Ltd. This material must not be edited, adapted, sold, republished, incorporated into commercial products, or used for commercial training, assessment, report-writing or advisory services without prior written permission from Nellie Supports Ltd.
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 the position on family attendance at an NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment. It covers the expectation that the person and their representative are involved, what family can contribute, the position where the person lacks capacity, the role of advocacy, what to do where attendance is discouraged, and how to ensure contributions are recorded.
Can a family member attend the CHC assessment
Family attendance is expected rather than merely permitted. The person should be at the centre of the assessment, and those who know them best have information no professional in the room will have.
The expectation of involvement
The National Framework expects the person to be involved in the process wherever possible and supported to participate. Where they have a representative, that person should be involved too. Family attendance is therefore the norm, and an assessment arranged without any attempt to involve the person or their representative is a procedural weakness worth recording.
What family can contribute
Information nobody else has. What happens overnight. How often the difficult episodes occur. What the person was like six months ago. What happens when a familiar carer is away. How long it takes to persuade them to eat or accept personal care. These are the details that turn a domain level from moderate to high, and they exist only in the family's knowledge and the care records.
Where the person lacks capacity
Where a person may lack capacity to be involved in the process, a best interests decision should be recorded and consideration given to whether an advocate is required. An attorney under a lasting power of attorney or a court appointed deputy should be involved and should receive correspondence. Bring the authority document, since it avoids arguments about who can be told what.
Advocacy
Where there is no family or friend able to represent the person, advocacy should be considered. Advocates can attend, support the person to express their views and ensure the process is explained. Ask specifically whether an advocate has been considered where the person has no one, since it is easily overlooked in a busy process.
If attendance is discouraged
Occasionally families are told the assessment is a professionals meeting or that attendance is unnecessary. Ask for that to be put in writing, and ask on what basis, given the Framework's expectation of involvement. In practice the request alone usually resolves it. If it does not, submit written evidence in advance so your contribution is on the record regardless.
Getting contributions recorded
Attending is not enough on its own. Ask for your points to be recorded on the Decision Support Tool, including where the team disagrees with them. A recorded disagreement is a specific and identifiable point for any later review, whereas an unrecorded one is simply a difference of recollection.
Key takeaway
Family involvement is expected, not a favour. Bring written evidence, ask for it to be attached, ask for your points to be recorded including any disagreement, and challenge in writing if attendance is discouraged.
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Frequently asked questions
Do we have a right to attend?
The Framework expects the person and their representative to be involved wherever possible, so attendance is the norm. An assessment arranged without any attempt to involve you is a procedural weakness worth recording.
What if we are told it is a professionals meeting?
Ask for that to be confirmed in writing and on what basis, given the expectation of involvement. Submit written evidence in advance regardless, so your contribution is on the record.
What if the person lacks capacity?
A best interests decision about the process should be recorded and advocacy considered. An attorney or deputy should be involved and receive correspondence, so bring the authority document.
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.