These are the main national helplines for families navigating care. All are free to call unless otherwise stated.
General advice and information
Broad support for families navigating later life care decisions — from initial queries through to complex situations.
Dementia support
Specialist advice for families where dementia is a factor in care decisions — from diagnosis through to advanced care planning.
Advocacy services
Independent advocates can attend assessments, meetings, and reviews with families. They help ensure the person's voice is heard, particularly when capacity is in question.
An IMCA is a statutory advocate who must be instructed when a person lacks mental capacity and has no family or friends to speak for them, and when a serious decision is being made about their care, accommodation, or medical treatment. The referral is made by the NHS or local authority. If your relative has no family involvement and lacks capacity, ask the social worker or hospital team whether an IMCA should be instructed.
Provides independent advocacy including Care Act advocacy (where someone would experience substantial difficulty participating in an assessment or care planning without support), NHS Complaints advocacy, and general independent advocacy. Covers many areas of England including the south.
Local independent advocacy service covering Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. Provides support for people navigating care assessments, reviews, and complaints who need an independent advocate alongside them.
Financial advice
Independent financial advisers who specialise in later life and care funding. Always check an adviser holds the relevant accreditation before proceeding.
Specialist organisation providing free independent advice on NHS Continuing Healthcare. Offers up to 90 minutes of free initial advice on whether a CHC assessment was carried out correctly, whether to appeal, and how to prepare. This is the first call to make if you believe a CHC decision is wrong.
Accreditation body for financial advisers who specialise in later life financial planning including care fees. A SOLLA-accredited adviser has demonstrated specific competence in care funding. Always use the SOLLA adviser search to verify an adviser's accreditation before engaging them — do not rely on self-reported claims.
Government-backed free financial guidance service. Includes clear explanations of care funding options, Deferred Payment Agreements, benefits in later life, and how to find regulated financial advice. Not a replacement for a financial adviser but a useful starting point.
Legal support
For Court of Protection applications, LPA disputes, financial abuse, and situations where a solicitor is needed.
National organisation of solicitors who specialise in later life legal matters — including Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection deputyship applications, care home contract disputes, and financial abuse. Use their member search to find a specialist solicitor. Members are independently assessed for competence in this area.
The government body responsible for registering Lasting Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney. If you have concerns that an attorney is misusing their powers or acting against the donor's interests, contact the OPG. They can investigate and take action including applying to the Court of Protection to remove an attorney.
The Court of Protection makes decisions about the property, finances, health, and welfare of people who lack mental capacity. Families can apply to the Court if they disagree with a best interests decision made by professionals, if there is no LPA in place and a deputy is needed, or to challenge a DoLS authorisation. Applications can be complex — legal advice from a solicitor specialising in Court of Protection work is strongly recommended before applying.
Complaints and regulatory bodies
Where to escalate if internal complaints processes have not resolved the issue.