Future Care and Costings Report (Care Needs Court Report)
Our Future Care and Costings Report (Care Needs Court Report) is a court-compliant expert report designed for use in personal injury, clinical negligence, Court of Protection and family court proceedings.
The report provides a detailed, evidence-based assessment of a person’s current and future care needs, how those needs can be met in practice, and the associated costs of care, support, accommodation, therapies and funding options, presented in a clear and legally robust format suitable for litigation and settlement.
Our Specialist Report Includes
Adult Social Care Needs Assessment
We complete a Care Act (2014)-compliant adult social care needs assessment to identify a person’s strengths, care needs and risks.
This allows us to determine whether needs are best met in a person’s own home, supported accommodation or residential care, and to assess, on the balance of probability, how these needs may change in the future.
Care Plan
Once needs are established, we set out a clear Care Plan. This details the professional support, services, and interventions required to meet those needs, with a focus on promoting independence, wellbeing and quality of life.
Care Cost Review
Using the care plan, we obtain real-world costings from care providers to ensure the report reflects accurate and defensible care costs, whether care is required immediately or in the future.
Benefits Review
We complete a comprehensive review of state benefit entitlement, evidencing current and potential future income streams and how these interact with care funding and cost projections.
Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Checklist
Where appropriate, we complete a NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) checklist to identify whether any needs may be eligible for NHS funding.
Evidence of eligibility, or ineligibility, can be critical in personal injury claims and financial settlements.
Court-Ready Expert Report
Having collated all relevant evidence, we complete a court-ready report outlining identified care needs, how these needs can be met, and the associated current and future costs.
Each element of the report is completed by the most appropriately experienced and qualified professional within our team, ensuring the report is robust and suitable for court proceedings.
Family and Gratuitous Care
Where unpaid support from family or friends is being provided, we record and quantify it. This ensures the court understands both the value of that contribution and any additional professional support that may be required.
Additional Expert Reports
Where necessary, we can integrate or cross-reference with other specialist assessments, such as:
-
Decision-Specific Mental Capacity Assessments
-
Life Expectancy Reports
-
Cognitive Assessments (e.g., MoCA)
Trusted by Thousands. Guided by Experience. Committed to You.
6000+
Over 6000 Assessments completed
50+ Years
Combined Expertise
100%
Coverage of England & Wales
4.9 ⭐
What the report evidences
Our report evidences:
A person’s functional abilities and limitations in relation to day-to-day living, including whether these abilities are likely to improve, remain stable or deteriorate over time
Whether identified needs could be reduced or better managed with additional care, support, equipment or therapeutic input, and the associated costs
Whether a person is able to live independently, and if not, the type, level and cost of support required
The cost of current and future care needs, including domiciliary care, supported living and residential care where appropriate
Accommodation needs, adaptations and associated housing costs
Whether local authority or NHS funding may be available, including eligibility considerations
Evidence of current and future state benefit entitlement and its impact on overall care funding
How This Report Is Used in Legal Proceedings
A Future Care and Costings Report is used within legal proceedings to provide independent, evidence-based analysis of a person’s current and future care needs, how those needs can be met, and the financial implications of those needs over time.
In personal injury and clinical negligence claims, the report assists solicitors and the court in quantifying future losses, informing schedules of loss, settlement negotiations and expert discussions.
The report may also be relied upon in Court of Protection, family court and financial remedy proceedings, where a clear understanding of care needs, funding options and associated costs is required to support fair and informed decision-making.
By setting out needs and costings in a clear and structured way, the report supports the court in assessing proportionality, reasonableness and long-term care planning.
Methodology for Assessing Care Needs and Costs
The report is prepared using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach, ensuring that each component of the assessment and reporting process is completed by a professional with appropriate expertise in that area.
This includes input from experienced practitioners responsible for specific elements of the evidence, such as adult social care needs assessment, care planning, benefits and funding analysis, Continuing Healthcare considerations and care costings.
For example, the care needs assessment is completed by qualified social care professionals, while the benefits review is undertaken by practitioners with specialist knowledge of state benefits and care funding. This ensures that each aspect of the report is informed by relevant professional expertise, rather than a single generalised assessment.
Bringing together these strands of evidence allows the report to present a coherent and well-reasoned analysis of current and future care needs and associated costs, suitable for use within legal proceedings.
Expert Evidence & Court Compliance
Court-Compliant Expert Evidence
This Future Care and Costings Report is prepared with an understanding of the role of expert evidence in legal proceedings and the duties owed to the court.
The report is written to provide an independent, objective and evidence-based opinion, setting out the factual basis for conclusions reached and the professional reasoning underpinning those conclusions. Care needs and costings are presented in a clear, transparent and proportionate manner, avoiding advocacy.
Where the report is relied upon as expert evidence within personal injury or clinical negligence claims, it is prepared with reference to the principles set out in Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 35, including the overriding duty to assist the court on matters within the author’s expertise.
This approach ensures the report can be used effectively in settlement discussions, expert meetings and court proceedings.
Independence & Objectivity
The report provides an independent, objective and evidence-based opinion, prepared for the purpose of assisting the court.
Conclusions are clearly reasoned, proportionate and based on the available evidence, avoiding advocacy.
Practical Use in Litigation
Care needs and associated costs are presented in a clear and transparent format, supporting use within settlement negotiations, expert discussions and court proceedings in personal injury and other legal cases.
Our Process – From Enquiry to Court-Ready Report
Initial enquiry & triage
You can contact us directly by phone, email or via our online form. We’ll discuss your case requirements, timescales and any specific instructions from the court or solicitor.
Care Assessment
A qualified social worker from our team carries out a full care assessment, either in person or remotely where appropriate. This assessment looks at the individual’s current needs across mobility, personal care, medical requirements and daily living.
Evidence Gathering
Our team gathers additional information from relevant sources — including medical records, existing care plans, family input, and professional contacts. Where necessary, psychologists and benefits officers contribute to ensure the report reflects every aspect of need.
Report Writing and Quality Assurance
The findings are brought together into a CPR 35 compliant Care Needs Court Report. Each report is reviewed by a senior social worker to ensure quality, impartiality and court-readiness.
Dispatch and Support
The final report is securely sent to the instructing solicitor, deputy or family. If required, our experts remain available to clarify findings or provide follow-up support in court proceedings.
