NHS Continuing Care is support provided for children and young people under 18 who need a tailored package of care because of a disability, illness, or accident. It is different to NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) which is for adults with very severe or complex health needs.
NHS CHC for adults focuses mainly on health and care needs. However, continuing care for a child or young person should also consider their physical, emotional, and intellectual development as they move towards adulthood.
If your child is assessed for NHS Continuing Care, it’s likely that a range of organisations will be involved, such as health, education, and social care children’s services. If your child has continuing care needs, these organsiations may all contribute to your child’s care package. If you think your child would benefit from continuing care, the best thing to do is talk to their health or social care worker.
See the Children and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework for more information
Link includes:
• NHS England National Framework for Children and Young Peoples Continuing Care
• Childrens and Young Peoples Continuing Care pre-assessment checklist.
• Decision Support Tool
• Childrens and young people’s continuing care: guide for young people and parents (Leaflet)
Other helpful links:
NHS England » Children and young people
Wessex healthier together Young Person :: Healthier Together (what0-18.nhs.uk)
Local authority support for children and young people with special educational needs:
- Hampshire - Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities | Family Information and Services Hub
- Southampton - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Portsmouth - Support with Learning
Learning Disabilities and Autism services:
NHS England » Children and young people National programme to improve access to health and social care services so that more people with a learning disability, autism or both can live in the community, with the right support, and close to home.
Children and Adolescent Dynamic Support Register (DSR) and Care Education and Treatment Reviews (CETR) :
The new policy aims to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions for people with a learning disability and autistic people. The policy includes new guidance on the dynamic support registers and updates to the Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (CETR)
NHS England » Dynamic support register and Care (Education) and Treatment Review policy and guide
The easy read and plain English versions of the policy have been co-produced with people with a learning disability and autistic people.
- If you need this information in an alternative format, please email england.CTRDSR@nhs.net.
- If you are a professional and wish to contact the Learning Disabilities and Autism team to make a referral, please email hiowicb-hsi.cetr@nhs.net
- Please complete DSR professionals referral form
- Call 0300 123 4448 option 5 - Children Continuing Complex Care Team
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services:
- NHS England Children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS)
- Hampshire CAMHS services Videos & Podcasts – CAMHS website includes referral information.
- Portsmouth CAMHS services Portsmouth Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services