A guide for adults and children receiving care at home
By Innovate Complex Care Services
Individuals with complex healthcare needs—whether due to neurological conditions, congenital disabilities, acquired injuries, or long-term illness—often require specialist, highly personalised care. In many cases, this care is best delivered in the comfort and safety of the person’s own home.
But how is this kind of care funded, particularly when it involves trained clinical staff and round-the-clock support?
At Innovate Complex Care Services, we support both adults and children with complex needs, working in partnership with the NHS and families to ensure high-quality care is in place and appropriately funded. Here’s an overview of how complex care is funded in the UK.
Funding for Adults with Complex Healthcare Needs
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
For adults (aged 18+), the primary route for publicly funded complex healthcare is NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). This is a fully funded care package, paid for by the NHS, for individuals assessed as having a primary health need.
NHS CHC is available to those with significant, ongoing health issues that require care beyond what social services can provide. This includes people living with:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Tracheostomy or ventilator dependence
- Progressive neurological conditions
- Acquired brain injuries
- Complex epilepsy or other high-risk health needs
Following a clinical assessment, the local CHC team will determine whether an individual qualifies for funding. If eligible, all reasonable health and social care costs—such as trained carers, nursing input, equipment, and care coordination—are covered.
Innovate works closely with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and CHC teams to mobilise and manage NHS-funded care packages at home, ensuring clinical safety, service continuity, and excellent outcomes for clients and their families.
Funding for Children with Complex Needs
Children and Young People’s Continuing Care (CYPCC)
Children and young people (up to age 18) with complex needs may be eligible for NHS Continuing Care, sometimes referred to as Children and Young People’s Continuing Care (CYPCC).
This framework is separate from adult CHC and considers a broader range of needs, including developmental, behavioural, educational, and family support requirements. Eligibility is assessed using a decision support tool aligned with the national framework for children’s continuing care.
NHS funding for children’s care packages may include:
- Complex clinical support at home
- Night and day care provision
- School support or personal assistants
- Multidisciplinary input from paediatric specialists
As with adult services, Innovate delivers clinically governed, home-based care that works in collaboration with NHS children’s continuing care teams, paediatric consultants, and families.
We support seamless transitions into adult care when children approach age 18, ensuring continuity and minimal disruption.
Other Funding Routes (Occasionally Applicable)
While NHS CHC and CYPCC are the main routes for publicly funded complex care, other mechanisms may apply in certain cases:
- Section 117 aftercare for adults discharged from mental health services
- Medicolegal funding (e.g., via insurance or litigation following injury)
- Personal Health Budgets or Direct Payments, offering flexibility in care choices
- Local Authority Social Care Funding, for non-healthcare needs
- Self-funding, in situations where public funding is not available
Innovate is experienced in delivering care under all of these arrangements, but the majority of our care packages are commissioned and funded by the NHS.
Supporting Families at Every Stage
Navigating the funding process—particularly for complex clinical care—can be overwhelming. Innovate’s experienced team of clinical leads, care coordinators and registered managers are here to help every step of the way.
We work with:
- NHS CHC and CYPCC commissioners
- ICB care teams and paediatric specialists
- Case managers and legal representatives
- Families and directly appointed personal budget holders
Our priority is always safe, person-centred care, delivered efficiently and compassionately—whether for a ventilated child at home or an adult transitioning from hospital to community care.
Have questions about CHC or continuing care funding for a loved one?
Contact us to speak to a member of our team.
