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What Is Complex Care at Home?

A guide for families and case managers

Complex care at home means nurse led support for people with serious, ongoing health needs, delivered safely in the comfort of their own home. This guide explains what it includes, who it is for, and how it starts.

When someone has complex health needs, the hospital is not always the best place for them to live their life. Complex care at home means the right clinical support comes to them, so they can stay with the people, routines and surroundings that matter most.

If you are a family member, a case manager or a commissioner looking into care options, this guide explains what complex care at home involves and what to expect from a good provider. You can also read any provider’s inspection reports on the Care Quality Commission website.

Nurse supporting a man in a wheelchair as part of complex care at home

What does “complex care” mean?

Complex care is support for people whose health needs go beyond everyday personal care. It usually involves clinical tasks that need trained, competent staff and clear oversight from a nurse, which is how our nurse led care service works. It can include support with:

  • Tracheostomy care and ventilation
  • PEG feeding
  • Stoma and catheter care
  • Wound care
  • Epilepsy and seizure management
  • Acquired brain injury and spinal injury
  • Palliative and end of life care

Every person is different, so every care package should be built around the individual rather than a set list of tasks.

Who is complex care at home for?

Complex care at home supports both adults and children. It is often arranged when someone is leaving hospital, when their needs have changed, or when a family needs reliable support so they can be a family again rather than full time carers. It can also cover respite, giving families a planned break, and transition care for young people moving from children’s to adult services.

How a care package is put together

At First Active 365 Homecare, every package is nurse led. Here is how it usually works:

  1. Assessment. We aim to assess within 48 hours of a referral, so we understand the person’s clinical needs, routines and what matters to them.
  2. Care planning. A nurse case manager builds the care plan with the family and the professionals already involved.
  3. Matching the team. Carers and nurses are matched to the person, and families meet and choose their carers.
  4. Training and sign off. Staff complete the training needed for that package and are clinically signed off before they deliver care.
  5. Mobilising. We aim to mobilise safe care packages within 14 days.
  6. Ongoing support. The care plan is reviewed as needs change, with 24 hour support from our care delivery team.

What to look for in a provider

  • Clinical leadership. Ask who oversees the care plan and how often it is reviewed.
  • Training. Ask how staff are trained and signed off for each clinical task.
  • Consistency. A small, familiar team makes a real difference to the person receiving care.
  • Communication. Families and case managers should always know who to call, day or night.

Talk to our team

If you are exploring complex care at home for someone you support, we would be happy to talk it through with you.

Call 03333 222 365 or email Bookings@fa365homecare.co.uk.