complex care at home
Complex Care at Home, Planned Around the Individual
Specialist support for people with more complex health and care needs, delivered at home through an individually assessed and clinically governed care plan.
Complex care can allow someone with significant or long-term health needs to remain in their own home while receiving the support required to manage everyday life safely.
Because complex care can involve delegated healthcare tasks and condition-specific risks, the exact support must be assessed, planned and authorised for the individual.
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Individual assessment
Care starts with the person, their condition and their goals.
Clinical governance
Higher-level healthcare tasks require appropriate oversight and authorisation.
Trained care team
Carers must be trained and competent for the tasks they perform.
Joined-up working
Care may involve coordination with NHS and other healthcare professionals.
Understanding complex care
What Is Complex Care?
Complex care is support for people whose health needs require more specialised planning, skills, or oversight than routine home care provides. It may sit alongside personal care, medication support, mobility assistance and everyday help at home.
The term covers a wide range of needs, so it should never be assumed that every complex-care provider delivers every clinical intervention. The care package must be based on a detailed assessment and the competencies required for that individual.
who it's for
Who Might Need Complex Care?
Complex care may be considered for people living with:
Neurological conditions
Spinal injury
Acquired brain injury
Respiratory needs
Enteral feeding
Epilepsy
Catheter or stoma needs
Other significant long-term conditions
our approach
Care That Supports the Whole Person
Clinical needs are only one part of life. A good complex-care plan should also consider:
Communication
Mobility
Personal Care
Nutrition
Routines
Family relationships
Work or education
Social life
The person's own goals
The objective is safe care without reducing the person to a diagnosis or a list of procedures.
governance
Clinical Tasks and Delegated Healthcare
Where a care package includes a healthcare task, the task must be within the agreed scope of the service and supported by the appropriate clinical governance.
scope
Every task must sit within the agreed scope of the service before it is carried out.
governance
Higher-level healthcare tasks require appropriate clinical oversight and authorisation.
scope
The individual carer must receive the required training and competency sign-off before performing a task.
what we publish
Care & Carers should publish only those clinical interventions that its current governance arrangements, clinical leads, insurance and workforce competencies support.
coordinated care
Working with healthcare professionals
Complex care often involves several professionals. Depending on the person's needs, this may include:
GPs
Community nurses
Speciaist nurses
Therapists
Dietitians
Spech and language therapists
Hospital teams
The care plan should make responsibilities clear so that carers know what to do, what to record and when to escalate a concern.
staying safe over time
When needs change
Complex conditions can change over time. The care plan, risk assessments and competencies should be reviewed:
• When there is a significant change in the person's condition
• After hospital admission or discharge
• When equipment changes
• When a healthcare professional changes the treatment plan
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getting started
How Complex Care Is Arranged
1
Initial conversation
Talk to our team about the person's condition and what support may help.
2
Detailed assessment
We assess your clinical needs, routines, preferences and relevant risks.
3
Confirmation of tasks
We agree on a care plan that sets out what support will be provided and how.
4
Planning & sign-off
Care planning, risk assessment, training and competency sign-off.
5
Care begins
With ongoing review and professional liaison as required.
common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is complex care the same as nursing care?
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Can complex care be provided at home?
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Do you provide tracheostomy, PEG, ventilation or bowel care?
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Can complex care include personal care and medication?
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Can complex care be funded by NHS Continuing Healthcare?
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Ready when you are
You don't need to work out the exact service before contacting us
Tell us what is happening, what support is needed and what matters to the person. We can discuss the appropriate next step.
There is no charge for the assessment and no obligation to proceed.
