Do You Need a CHC Advocate?

A Continuing Healthcare (CHC) advocate is someone (often independent) who supports and speaks up for an individual or family during CHC assessments, care planning and decisions.

👉 What a CHC advocate does

• Ensures your or your relative’s views and wishes are clearly heard during CHC assessments and reviews.

• Helps you understand the complex CHC process, what to expect and what decisions mean. nhs.uk

• Can assist with challenging or appealing decisions if you disagree with an outcome.

• Supports communication at meetings, writing letters, asking questions, and attending on your behalf. nhs.uk

Important: In the UK there isn’t an automatic legal right to an advocate simply because you’re going through CHC, but many people find them very helpful if complexity or communication barriers are present.

If you want to explore advocacy options, organisations such as Navigating CHC can provide specialist CHC advocacy support.

7 Signs Your Family Might Need CHC Support or an Advocate

Here are common situations where having support makes a noticeable difference:

You’re Confused About the CHC Process

If the assessment stages, criteria or decisions feel overwhelming, an advocate can help explain what’s happening and what it means at each step. nhs.uk

Communication Barriers Exist

If the person with care needs can’t clearly express their wishes, or if spoken and written information is hard to understand, an advocate ensures their voice is not overlooked. nhs.uk

You’re Unsure How to Prepare for Meetings

Advocates can help you gather evidence, organise documents and prepare questions before formal CHC assessments, which can make the process smoother.

You’re Facing Complex or Sensitive Discussions

CHC assessments may involve sensitive health and personal care topics. Having a trained advocate can help navigate these discussions more confidently. nhs.uk

You Don’t Know What to Say in Assessments

An advocate can support or represent you if you feel unsure how to communicate needs, preferences or concerns during meetings. nhs.uk

You Disagree With a CHC Decision

If you feel the eligibility outcome was incorrect, or if you want to challenge how a decision was reached, an advocate can help clarify the appeal process and support you in pursuing it.

You’re a Family Carer Feeling Overwhelmed

Caring for someone with complex needs is stressful. Support from an advocate or adviser reduces anxiety by helping you understand decisions, rights and options, particularly during reviews or re-assessments.

Final Tip

Even if you have family members helping, a trained CHC advocate, especially one familiar with NHS processes can provide neutral, focused support that complements what loved ones offer. Many families discover that having this extra support makes the CHC journey clearer and less stressful.

Useful Resources

• NHS CHC information page – what CHC is and how it works 📄 NHS continuing healthcare guide (NHSDigital)