Care & support · England
Extra health support for children
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This guide is for people in England.
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Some children have complex health needs.
They may need more help than usual services can give.
Ask the child’s health team about continuing care.
Ask how to get an assessment.
Explain the help needed in the day and at night.
Explain how the child communicates and shows discomfort.
Agree who will provide each part of the support.
Health, education and social care teams may all be involved.
Ask about a personal health budget.
This gives choices about arranging agreed health support.
It does not always mean a cash payment.
Plan early for adult services.
The adult funding rules are different.
Ask who will help with the change.
Ask for decisions and reasons you can understand.
Ask how to challenge a decision.
Ask how essential support will continue while decisions are reviewed.
What you can do next
Speak to the child’s health team.
You could say: Please explain continuing care and help us plan ahead.
Read the children’s continuing care framework Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Continuing care guidance and family information Web page
The national framework includes a guide for young people and parents.
- Support for children with complex needs Web page
An introduction to NHS and council support.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Continuing care for children and young people
NHS support for complex needs, working with other services and preparing for adult care.
Children and young people under 18 and transition planning · England
Understand the children’s route
Children and young people with complex health needs may receive continuing care where existing universal or specialist services cannot meet those needs alone. It is based on individual needs arising from disability, illness or injury. It is a separate process from adult NHS Continuing Healthcare, with different assessment arrangements. A diagnosis alone does not decide the outcome.
Ask about an assessment
Speak to the child’s community nurse, paediatric team or local NHS children’s continuing care service. Ask how to make a referral. The assessment should consider needs over time, including day and night support. Share relevant care records and explain communication, breathing, feeding, seizures, movement and other concerns that apply.
Build a coordinated package
A health professional assesses needs and makes a recommendation for a decision. Ask for the outcome and reasons. Continuing care may sit alongside education and social care support; it does not automatically mean the NHS funds every part of family support. Agree who provides each element and who coordinates it.
Discuss choices and family support
Children receiving continuing care have a right to a personal health budget. Ask how that could work for this child; it does not necessarily mean receiving cash directly. Also ask the council about assessed social care needs and breaks for the family. Plans should support communication, comfort, participation and enjoyable everyday life.
Prepare for adulthood early
Ask for a named worker and transition plan. NHS England guidance identifies key points around ages 14, 16 and 17: early planning, adult CHC screening at 16, and an in-principle decision after 17 where appropriate. Receiving children’s continuing care does not guarantee adult CHC eligibility. Agree support for adulthood even if adult CHC is refused. EHC planning and social care transition should be coordinated, with the young person involved.
Review decisions and avoid gaps
Ask when the package will be reviewed and how to challenge a decision. If adult CHC is refused during transition, ask about local resolution and maintaining existing support during the review. NHS England guidance says that package should continue during this process, potentially beyond 18. Seek prompt help if essential care is threatened.
Words you could use
“Please explain the children’s continuing care assessment, who coordinates support and how care will continue into adult services.”
More useful links
- Continuing care guidance and family information Web page
The national framework includes a guide for young people and parents.
- Support for children with complex needs Web page
An introduction to NHS and council support.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 27 October 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- DHSC: children’s continuing care framework Web page
Children’s assessment, decisions, coordination and review.
- NHS: children with complex needs Web page
Health support, social care and personal health budgets.
- NHS England: transition into adult services Web page
Guidance published April 2026, including continuing care transition and continuity during review.