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. Social Work England. Professional standards. Available at: https://www.socialworkengland.org.uk
3. Solicitors Regulation Authority. Available at: https://www.sra.org.uk
4. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Available at: https://www.ombudsman.org.uk
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 sets out the questions to ask an independent NHS Continuing Healthcare provider before instructing them. It covers registration and accountability, who carries out the work, what the deliverable actually is, case selection, charging and scope, quality control, and what each answer reveals about how a provider operates.
Questions to ask a CHC provider before instructing them
A short conversation before instructing anyone tells you most of what you need to know. These are the questions worth asking, and what the answers usually mean.
Who is registered, and with whom
Ask which regulator the people doing the work are registered with. Registration means external accountability for the accuracy of what they write. A provider who deflects this question, or who answers about the business rather than the individuals, has told you something worth noting.
Who will actually do the work
Ask whether the person you are speaking to will carry out the assessment and write the report, or whether it goes to an associate. Associate models are common and legitimate, but continuity matters in a case that may run a year. Ask who carries the case throughout.
What exactly will we receive
Ask what the deliverable is. A written report, a letter, a submission, attendance at a meeting, or guidance by telephone. These are very different products and the difference is not always obvious from a website. Ask to see an example report with the identifying details removed.
Do you turn cases away
The most revealing question of the set. Ask whether they decline cases, and on what basis. A provider who takes everything is selling a service. A provider willing to tell you your case is weak is one whose positive assessment carries meaning.
How is it charged and what is included
Ask for scope, inclusions, exclusions and price in writing before committing. Ask specifically about records review, travel, meeting attendance and correspondence, since those are where scope most often differs. Ask what happens if the case extends beyond the original scope.
What quality control is there
Ask whether reports are reviewed by anyone before they are issued. A second qualified reader catches unsupported conclusions and gaps in sourcing before someone hostile does. A report that has been through internal peer review is a different proposition from one signed off by its author alone.
What are the realistic prospects
Ask what they think of the case and why, and listen for whether the answer is specific to your circumstances. A specific answer referencing your paperwork indicates they have looked at it. A general answer about how these cases usually go indicates they have not.
Key takeaway
Ask about registration, who does the work, what you actually receive, whether they decline cases, what is included in the price and what quality control exists. The willingness to answer directly tells you as much as the answers themselves.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the single most useful question?
Whether they turn cases away and on what basis. A provider who takes every case is selling a service rather than assessing yours, which makes their positive view worth less.
Should we ask to see a sample report?
Yes, with identifying details removed. It shows you what you are actually buying, and whether findings are sourced and reasoned or simply supportive.
Does it matter who does the work?
It matters for continuity in a case that may run a year. Associate models are legitimate but ask who carries the case throughout rather than assuming it is the person you spoke to.
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.