Care Funding Consultation & Action Plan
Our Care Funding Consultation & Action Plan is a one-off service designed to give you clarity and direction — without committing to ongoing support.
For a fixed fee of £395 + VAT, you receive:
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A structured consultation (triage) focused on your situation
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Clear explanation of your rights under the Care Act 2014
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Identification of key issues or concerns
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A written Care Funding Action Plan setting out practical next steps
This service is often enough on its own to help people move matters forward with confidence.
Is this service right for you?
You may benefit from a Care Funding Consultation & Action Plan if you:
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Are unsure what the local authority should be funding
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Have been told you need to pay for care, but don’t fully understand why
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Are self-funding care and worried about long-term costs
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Feel decisions are delayed, unclear, or poorly explained
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Are concerned the council is not meeting its Care Act 2014 duties
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Want to challenge a decision but don’t know where to start
You do not need to be in crisis or already in dispute. Many people use this
service simply to get clarity before taking further steps.
Ongoing advocacy support (optional)
Support if you need help taking things further
Some care funding situations need further support after the consultation and action plan, particularly where issues remain unresolved or decisions are being challenged.
Our ongoing advocacy service is designed to support you through these next stages, helping you navigate discussions with the local authority and ensuring Care Act 2014 principles are properly applied.
This support may include helping you communicate with the local authority, supporting or drafting correspondence, assisting with complaints, or providing advocacy in meetings where appropriate. The focus is always on keeping matters moving and ensuring decisions are clear, fair, and lawful.
Ongoing advocacy is entirely optional and provided on a retainer basis, charged at £250 + VAT per hour. We will always be clear about when further support is likely to be helpful and will not recommend ongoing work unless it is genuinely appropriate.
What happens in the Care Funding Consultation
The consultation is a structured, focused discussion designed to give you clarity quickly.
During the consultation, we will:
Review your current care arrangements and funding position
Explain how the Care Act 2014 applies to your situation
Clarify what the local authority’s legal duties are
Identify any concerns, risks, or potential unlawful practice
Answer your questions in clear, plain English
Discuss realistic options and next steps
The consultation is tailored to your circumstances and focused on what will actually help you move forward.
Your Care Funding Action Plan
Following the consultation, you will receive a written Care Funding Action Plan, tailored to your situation.
The action plan brings together the key points from the consultation and sets them out clearly, so you have a reliable written record of the advice provided and a clear understanding of what should happen next.
It will summarise your current care and funding position, identify the main issues discussed, and explain the advice given in plain English. Where appropriate, it will set out practical next steps, including how the local authority should be meeting its duties under the Care Act 2014, what actions you may wish to take, and what information or evidence may be helpful.
The aim of the action plan is to give you clarity, direction, and confidence. Many people use it to guide their own next steps or to support conversations with the local authority, without needing ongoing support.
Understanding care funding and the Care Act 2014
Adult social care funding in England is governed by the Care Act 2014, which sets out the legal duties local authorities must follow when assessing care needs, planning support, and deciding how care should be funded. These duties apply whether someone is receiving council-funded care or paying for their own support. Local authorities are required to carry out care needs assessments, make lawful eligibility decisions, and provide clear information and advice about care and support options.
Where care is chargeable, councils must follow national rules on financial assessments and capital thresholds. People with capital above the upper threshold are usually expected to pay the full cost of their care, while those below the lower threshold should not be charged. However, the way these rules are applied can be complex, and certain types of capital may be disregarded. Even where someone is self-funding, the local authority’s Care Act duties do not fall away. Our Care Funding Consultation & Action Plan helps you understand how these rules apply to your situation and what steps you can take if decisions are unclear, unfair, or poorly explained.
Why Choose Nellie Supports for Your Care Funding Appeal?
We're not just another CHC Appeals provider. We’re with you every step of the way. As the UK’s largest private social work practice, we bring over 50 years of combined expertise, grounded in compassionate, person-centred care coupled with legal expertise
Our in-house solicitor has over 10 years' hands-on experience acting as a professional deputy and attorney for vulnerable individuals. This means real-world knowledge of managing finances, navigating care systems, and making complex decisions on behalf of others—not just theoretical legal advice.
Ruth is a fully qualified and regulated solicitor registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This means you're receiving advice from a legal professional held to the highest standards of conduct, competence, and client protection.
Care funding and attorney law is complicated enough without confusing jargon. We explain everything in clear, straightforward language so you understand your options, your responsibilities, and your next steps—no legal dictionary required.
All our costs are provided upfront with no hidden fees. You'll know exactly what you're paying for before you commit, and we'll never surprise you with unexpected charges. If ongoing work is needed, we'll provide a clear quote before proceeding.
If you're acting as an attorney or deputy, you can pay for legal and financial advice using your loved one's funds—as long as it's in their best interests. Our solicitor can confirm this applies to your situation and ensure you're acting within your legal authority.
We don't work for Local Authorities, care homes, or the NHS. We work for you. Our advice is completely independent, focused on protecting your loved one's rights and interests, and delivered with the compassion and respect every family deserves.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US
Nellie Supports
Used Nellie Supports to provide a Mental Capacity assessment on a close family member and the assessor was very professional & patient throughout and showed the necessary empathy when things took a difficult turn during the assessment.
Nick Prince
Efficient and well-organised service. The assessor was thorough, professional, empathetic and produced a comprehensive report within 24 hours of the interview. Excellent service all round.
David Laws
The Team at Nellie Supports are always helpful. Always providing advice and information where necessary. Prompt in responding with quotes. I always recommend to others within my organisation.
Ann-Marie (solicitor)
Expert Insights into Care Funding
Care Funding
Explore our articles on care funding, CHC appeals, attorney duties, and Local Authority disputes—covering common challenges, practical guidance, and expert insights for families, solicitors, and deputies navigating complex care and financial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cases. If you're acting as an attorney or deputy, it's permissible to pay for legal and financial advice using your loved one's funds, as you're acting in their best interests. Our solicitor can confirm this applies to your situation during your consultation.
An attorney is appointed under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) by someone while they still have capacity. A deputy is appointed by the Court of Protection when someone lacks capacity and hasn't set up an LPA. Both roles involve managing finances and/or care decisions, but deputies have additional reporting obligations to the court.
It varies depending on your circumstances, but we've seen clients save thousands of pounds per year by identifying errors in disability-related expenditure, housing costs, or pension calculations. Over the long term, these savings can be substantial.
Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is fully funded NHS care for people with complex health needs—it's free at the point of use. Local Authority funding is means-tested social care, where you may have to contribute based on your income and assets. Many people are wrongly denied CHC and forced to pay for care they should receive for free.
It's helpful but not essential. For care cost reviews or contract advice, having relevant documents (care assessments, contracts, financial statements) will allow us to provide more detailed guidance. We'll let you know what to bring when you book.
Yes. Our Advocacy & Hourly Rate Advice service allows us to represent you in disputes with Local Authorities or NHS bodies. We can liaise on your behalf, draft complaints and appeals, and negotiate for the best outcome. For court representation, we can refer you to specialist barristers if needed.
Our Advocacy & Hourly Rate Advice service is flexible and can be tailored to your needs. Whether you need one-off support or ongoing representation through a CHC appeal or Local Authority dispute, we'll provide a transparent quote and work with you every step of the way.
It varies. Local Resolution can take a few weeks to a few months. If it progresses to an Independent Review Panel (IRP), it can take 6–12 months or longer. We'll guide you through each stage and keep you informed throughout the process.
If the assessment finds that someone lacks capacity for a specific decision, the report will clearly explain why and where appropriate recommend safeguards. This might include appointing a deputy through the Court of Protection, creating a best interests decision-making framework, or involving healthcare professionals in medical decisions. The report provides evidence to support whatever action is needed.
All care funding support across all three routes: self-funding advice, NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) applications and appeals, Local Authority disputes and advocacy, care cost reviews, retrospective CHC claims, and transitions between funding routes. It does NOT include capacity assessments, social care services, or care planning—those are available as separate add-ons
No. Most clients pay far less. The £8,500 cap is a safety net for complex cases that go to tribunal, ombudsman, or involve multiple route transitions. If your case resolves quickly—say with a one-hour consultation (£250) or successful CHC application (£1,500)—that's all you'll pay.
Then you'll pay £250 plus VAT. There's no minimum commitment. The guarantee simply protects you from spiralling costs if your case becomes drawn-out or complex.
Yes. Whether you start self-funding and transition to CHC, or your CHC funding is removed and you move to Local Authority funding, the £8,500 cap covers your entire journey—regardless of how many route changes happen.