Advocacy & Hourly Rate Advice
If you're facing issues or disputes with the Local Authority over care fees, you don't have to navigate the system alone.
Our Advocacy & Hourly Rate Advice service gives you expert representation and support when dealing with Local Authority disputes. Whether you need us to liaise with the Local Authority on your behalf, draft formal complaints, or provide ongoing case management, our multidisciplinary team can help.
This is a flexible service tailored to your needs—ideal if you want professional support throughout the process rather than a one-off consultation.
What's Included in This Service
Our Advocacy & Hourly Rate Advice service provides flexible, ongoing support for disputes and issues with the Local Authority regarding care fees. Unlike our fixed-price consultations, this service is designed for clients who need case management and representation over time.
What We Can Do for You:
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Liaise with the Local Authority on your behalf as your representative
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Draft formal complaints and correspondence to the Local Authority
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Review Local Authority decisions and identify errors or unfair charges
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Negotiate with the Local Authority to resolve disputes
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Provide ongoing case management and strategic advice throughout the process
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Coordinate with our multidisciplinary team (solicitor, social workers, psychologists) depending on your specific issue
How it works: This is a flexible, hourly-rate service tailored to your needs. We'll discuss your situation, provide a transparent quote upfront, and agree on the scope of work before we begin. You'll always know what you're paying and what we're doing on your behalf.
Transparent Pricing: We provide a clear quote before starting work - no hidden fees, no surprises.
Note for attorneys and deputies: If you're acting on behalf of a loved one, you can pay for this service using their funds—this is a legitimate expense under your duties as attorney or deputy.
Common Issues We Handle
Our Care Fee Advocacy service helps clients resolve a wide range of disputes and issues with Local Authorities regarding care fees. Here are some of the most common situations we handle:
Incorrect Care Cost Calculations
Local Authorities often apply standard calculations that don't account for individual circumstances. We challenge errors in how your care costs have been calculated and negotiate corrections on your behalf.
Disputes Over Disability-Related Expenditure
You're entitled to deduct certain disability-related expenses (such as specialist equipment, community alarms, and medication) from your financial assessment. We help ensure these are properly accounted for and challenge Local Authorities that refuse to recognise legitimate expenses.
Challenges to Deprivation of Assets Allegations
If the Local Authority alleges you've deliberately deprived yourself of assets to avoid care costs, we can represent you in challenging these accusations. We review the evidence, advise on your legal position, and negotiate with the Local Authority on your behalf
Overcharging for Care Services
Sometimes Local Authorities charge more than they should—whether through errors, misapplication of rules, or failure to apply exemptions. We identify overcharges and work to secure refunds or adjustments.
Disagreements Over Financial Assessments
If you believe the Local Authority's financial assessment is incorrect, incomplete, or unfair, we can challenge it. This includes disputes over how income, capital, property, and assets have been assessed.
Local Authority Errors in Applying the Care Act 2014
Local Authorities don't always apply the Care Act 2014 correctly. We identify where the law has been misapplied and hold the Local Authority accountable to their legal obligations.
When You Might Need This Service
Our Advocacy & Hourly Rate Advice service is designed for anyone facing ongoing disputes or complex issues with the Local Authority regarding care fees. If you need more than a one-off consultation - if you need someone in your corner throughout the process- this service is for you.
This service is ideal if you:
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Have been overcharged for care and need someone to negotiate with the Local Authority on your behalf
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Believe the Local Authority has calculated your care fees incorrectly
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Are facing disputes over care costs and need professional representation
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Want formal complaints drafted and submitted to the Local Authority
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Need ongoing case management rather than a single consultation
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Have tried to resolve the issue yourself but are getting nowhere
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Are an attorney or deputy managing care arrangements and need expert support
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Want a multidisciplinary team approach (legal, social care, and psychological expertise) to your case
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Need strategic advice and representation over weeks or months, not just one hour
Whether you're a family member, attorney, deputy, or the person receiving care, this service gives you expert advocacy and support to challenge unfair decisions and protect your rights.
Why Is This Different from Our Packaged Consultations?
We offer both one-off consultations and ongoing advocacy services, and it's important to understand the difference. Our Care Funding Consultation and Attorney & Deputy Consultation are one-hour appointments with our specialist solicitor - they're designed to give you expert advice, clarity, and a roadmap for next steps, but you handle the follow-up yourself. They're fixed price (£250 + VAT), bookable directly into our calendar, and ideal if you need guidance but are comfortable taking action on your own. Our Advocacy & Hourly Rate Advice service is different—this is ongoing representation and case management where we take action on your behalf. We liaise with the Local Authority, draft complaints, negotiate, and manage the dispute from start to finish. It's a flexible hourly rate service (£250 + VAT per hour, minimum 1 hour) with a transparent quote provided upfront, and it's ideal if you want someone in your corner doing the work for you rather than just advising you. Not sure which you need? Contact us, and we'll help you determine the best approach. Many clients start with a consultation and then engage our advocacy services if ongoing support is needed.
Why Choose Nellie Supports for Advocacy & Representation
Our advocacy service is delivered by a multidisciplinary team including an SRA-registered solicitor, qualified social workers, and psychologists. Depending on your specific issue, we assign the right expertise to your case—giving you legal, social care, and psychological insight where needed.
Our team has over a decade of hands-on experience managing care funding disputes, challenging Local Authority decisions, and representing clients in complex cases. You're getting advice and representation from people who know the system inside out.
We explain everything in clear, straightforward language. You'll always understand what's happening with your case, what we're doing on your behalf, and what your options are - no confusing legal jargon.
£250 + VAT per hour with a clear, upfront quote before we start work. You'll know exactly what you're paying and what we're delivering. No surprises, no unexpected charges.
We're not tied to care homes, Local Authorities, or financial institutions. Our only interest is representing your interests and challenging unfair decisions. We're on your side, always.
If you're acting as an attorney or deputy, you can pay for this service using your loved one's funds - this is a legitimate expense under your duties to act in their best interests.
We also provide mental capacity assessments for a variety of decisions including COP3 assessments and LPA capacity assessments. For complex cases, our advanced mental capacity assessment service provides comprehensive support. If you need assistance with NHS Continuing Healthcare appeals or care funding disputes, we can help
Expert Insights on
Care Funding
Explore our articles on care funding, deprivation of assets, financial assessments, and the Care Act 2014, with practical guidance, real-world examples, and expert insights. Written to help families, attorneys, and deputies navigate complex decisions with confidence.
Your Care Funding Questions Answered
We charge £250 + VAT per hour, with a minimum engagement of one hour. Before we begin any work, we'll review your case and provide a transparent, upfront quote based on the work required. You'll know exactly what you're paying and what we'll deliver—no hidden fees, no surprises.
Contact us to discuss your situation. We'll arrange a brief initial conversation to understand the issue you're facing and determine how we can help. From there, we'll provide a quote and agree on the scope of work before we begin.
Yes. If you're acting as an attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or as a court-appointed deputy, you can pay for this service using your loved one's funds. Seeking professional advocacy and representation on care funding disputes is a legitimate expense under your duties to act in their best interests.
We handle disputes and issues with the Local Authority regarding care fees, including:
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Incorrect care cost calculations
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Overcharging for care services
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Disputes over financial assessments
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Challenges to Local Authority decisions on care fees
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Formal complaints and negotiations with the Local Authority
If your issue falls outside this scope, we'll let you know during the initial conversation and can refer you to the appropriate service.
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We assign the most appropriate member of our multidisciplinary team based on your specific issue. This might be our SRA-registered solicitor, a qualified social worker, a psychologist, or a combination of expertise. You'll always know who's handling your case and can contact them directly.
It depends on the complexity of your case and how the Local Authority responds. Some disputes can be resolved within a few weeks, while others may take several months. We'll give you a realistic timeline during the initial case review and keep you updated throughout the process.
No. You can engage our advocacy service directly if you already know you need representation and ongoing support. However, many clients do start with one of our consultations (Care Funding or Attorney & Deputy) and then engage advocacy services if ongoing support is needed.
If the Local Authority is unresponsive or refuses to resolve the dispute, we can escalate the matter through formal complaints procedures or advise on further legal action if appropriate. We'll discuss all available options with you and recommend the best course of action.
This service focuses on advocacy, representation, and negotiation with the Local Authority. If your case requires formal legal proceedings (such as Court of Protection applications or judicial review), we can advise on next steps and discuss whether we can represent you or refer you to specialist legal services.
We'll always keep you informed. If your case evolves or requires more work than initially anticipated, we'll discuss this with you and provide an updated quote before proceeding. You remain in control, and we won't do any additional work without your agreement.
Yes. We provide regular updates throughout the process so you always know what's happening with your case. You'll have direct contact with the team member handling your case and can reach out with questions at any time.
This Attorney & Deputy Consultation focuses on your duties and responsibilities as an attorney or deputy—including gifting, property decisions, investments, and legal obligations under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Our Care Funding Consultation focuses on Local Authority funding, financial assessments, deprivation of assets, and care costs under the Care Act 2014.
If your situation involves both topics, they can be combined within the same one-hour consultation if time allows.
If you only need advice and guidance rather than ongoing representation, our Care Funding Consultation or Attorney & Deputy Consultation may be more appropriate. These are one-hour, fixed-price appointments designed to give you expert advice and a plan for next steps. Contact us, and we'll help you determine the best service for your needs.