What is Complex Care?
Complex care is person-centred, long-term professional support developed to support people with multiple needs in complex situations, who require additional support in managing their daily activities. This type of care is designed to meet intensive and often unpredictable needs, supporting people to live as fulfilling and safely as possible in their own homes.
The complex care solutions Leaf Complex Care provides are characterised by their continuing care nature and the need for a coordinated approach, often involving a multidisciplinary support from therapists and health professionals. We know how essential it is to adopt the right strategies that enhance care coordination and comprehensively support the people we serve.
This involves integrating care teams that include practitioners, specialists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals who can work collaboratively to create and implement cohesive care plans. Our main priority is for our complex care plans to offer a comprehensive and proactive solution to support people’s health and social needs as active members of their community and society at large.
What Makes Complex Care Different?
It is human-centric, focusing on what matters to the person.
It often includes multidisciplinary input, such as from nurses, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, PBS practitioners, and psychologists.
It involves care planning, risk assessment, and safeguarding that is regularly reviewed and adjusted.
It promotes dignity and quality of life, not just medical intervention.
Who Needs Complex Care?
Complex care is designed for people who have long-term, multiple, or severe health and social care needs. It provides proactive care for:
People with disabilities
Neurological differences
Sensory impairments
Disorders
Chronic conditions
Life-limiting illnesses
People with multiple needs require ongoing care and support, regular monitoring, lifestyle and complex care management. Furthermore, people with both physical and intellectual disabilities may require specialised support services to manage daily activities and health concerns and to facilitate their inclusion in society.
With an experienced care team of professionals, people can experience improved well-being and live a dignified and fulfilling life in their own homes.
A rapidly ageing population also drives the demand for complex care in the UK. By 2035, the number of adults aged 85 and over who require 24-hour care is expected to reach 446,000—almost double the current figure. This surge highlights that more people live longer but with increasingly complex health conditions, creating a rising need for continuous support. According to the Office of National Statistics, nearly half of the UK population lives with a chronic illness or long-term health condition, impacting 50.1% of women and 45.7% of men.
Appropriate complex care and support contribute to the demand for complex care services. Leaf Complex Care enables person-centred support developed around people’s lifestyle and their own homes so they can receive care that meets their specific needs, surrounded by the people and things they truly love.
Complex Care for Young People
Providing emotional support is a foundation for supporting families and improving care for young people who require complex support. Support workers and specialists must be committed to building trusting and respectful relationships and providing bespoke care carefully tailored to meet young people’s health and social needs. This includes establishing a secure and nurturing home environment that stimulates the child’s well-being and growth. By focusing on personalisation, care can be aligned with each person’s unique needs, ultimately enhancing their mental health, outcomes and quality of life.
Complex care includes specialist support (emergency intervention, nutritional support, seizure monitoring, administration of medication, PEG feeding etc.), daily living assistance (support with eating, dressing, sleep-in or waking night support, moving and handling ith specialist equipment), behavioural and emotional support (Positive Bheaviour Support (PBS), crisis prevention, creating sensory -friendly environments, using least-restrictive practices) and developmental support (helping with cooking, self-care, encouraging education, hobbies, and play activities and tailored startegies for speech, language, and occupational therapy.
Leaf Complex Care’s support workers are trained in mandatory practical and online training in Basic Life Support, PROACT-SCIPr-UK®, Positive Behaviour Support, Safeguarding Children and Young People, Health and Safety, Equality, Diversity and Human Rights, Mental Health, Epilepsy and Buccal Support, etc. When challenges arise, time is of the essence for young people and their families, which is why our Rapid Response Service provides immediate support 4 to 6 hours after the initial call.
Family Support with Leaf Complex Care
After providing crisis support, we then make regular check-ups and spend quality time with family members with one goal – to provide genuine support and peace of mind. Whether providing a coffee/tea or a simple walk, we are there for families and those we serve when they need support.
Complex Care Goals
Complex care and its goals are rooted in enabling people with significant health and social needs to live more fullfilled and dignified lives, regardless of their challenges. The focus on the whole person and their support network makes the difference. It’s about supporting what matters most to people, to thrive in their own way, and making sure every plan, goal, and intervention is tailored to their unique story.
The key goals of complex care are to:
- Improve quality of life through supporting people to live meaningfully and safely in their homes, to be part of a rich community life, everyday activities, hobbies and relationships.
- Enable people to make choices about their care and life through the right balance of support and autonomy. An integral part is the use of assistive technology, communication tools and therapy-led strategies to build people’s confidence.
Ensure safety and stability by providing ongoing support, reliable care that prevents crisis situations, to avoid hospital admissions.
Support emotional and mental well-being through trauma-informed and Positive Behaviour Support approaches that directly impact and support emotional development, self-regulation and communication.
Involve families in planning and decision-making
Advocate for the person’s voice to be heard in all decisions about their life (respect the person’s culture, identity, preferences and challenge discrimination, isolation, and exclusion)
🧡 It’s all about people being joyful, living with a purpose and connection.
⇒ Read more about how Leaf Complex Care support people through the PERMA Model of Wellbeing.
Our Complex Care and Support Services
Recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Leaf Complex Care delivers support following England’s highest ethical service delivery standards. Besides primarily delivering autism support and learning disabilities support, we provide:
Our specialist care team delivers various forms of support in the homes of the people we serve. This includes mobility support, medication management, comprehensive personal care, help running everyday errands, and more. The care team develops complex support plans with the people we support, family, and social worker. The carer is informed about their daily challenges, personal preferences, and desires. This way, they can receive tailored support in an environment that ensures their right to be part of the care plan and delivery, as well as security, dignity and respect.
According to the Catalyst Care Group‘s white paper and a recent systematic review, more than 40% of people want to be actively involved in their own care. While this percentage has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, actively engaging people to create change for everyone remains an important goal we are determined to achieve as social care providers.
Download the White Paper Publication and stay up to date with the current state of the UK health and social care sector.
What Other Types of Complex Care Support Do We Offer?
A robust care system is essential for managing long-term health challenges. Such a system requires expertise and a deep sense of compassion, understanding, and a commitment to person-centred care.
As social care providers, we must be flexible enough to adapt to the changing needs of people over time and resilient enough to handle the emotional and practical challenges that come with long-term care.
A holistic approach ensures that people receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs, encompassing health, emotional, social, and practical aspects of care, all through a dedicated carer who can support them in leading a dignified and fulfilled life at home.
Below are the additional complex support services we provide:
Support for Neurological Conditions
A range of neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, epilepsy, and the aftereffects of a stroke, can leave people unable to manage day-to-day tasks independently. Complex care focuses on alleviating the challenges and supporting people to live with improved outcomes in their homes.
What Does the Support Include?
Assessment and Regular Monitoring
Personal Care: Assistance with daily living activities (e.g., personal hygiene, dressing, eating).
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): Behaviour assessments and individualised behaviour support plans to enhance the person’s quality of life
Occupational Therapy: Our occupational therapists support people in enhancing their daily functioning and fine motor skills. To promote greater independence, they may suggest modifications to the home environment or introduce adaptive equipment that aids in self-care.
Recreational Therapy: It focuses on building adaptive skills that enable people to participate in leisure activities such as sports, gardening, or crafts. By engaging in these pursuits, they can enhance their overall quality of life.
Medication Management: To ensure people can manage their symptoms and prevent complications.
Family and Carer Support (Respite Care)
Emotional Support
Social and Community Support: Support with community involvement, maintaining social relationships and participating in meaningful activities.
Advocacy to ensure that the person’s rights and preferences are respected in decision-making.
Physical Disability Support
A physical disability is a long-term condition that limits a person’s mobility, strength, and ability to engage in everyday activities. Common disorders that fit this definition include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, and poliomyelitis.
Depending on how complex the person’s disability is, the plans may involve a team of experts, including physical, occupational, and speech and language therapists.
What Does the Support Include?
Personal Care: Assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, and feeding.
Mobility Support: Including transfers, use of wheelchairs, and other mobility aids.
Monitoring health conditions and implementing care plans
Occupational Therapy: Techniques to enhance independence in daily tasks and recommend adaptive equipment
Speech and Language Therapy: Support with communication difficulties, swallowing, or eating challenges.
Sensory Integration Therapy: Helps people respond to sensory stimuli comfortably.
Family and Caregiver Support (Respite Care)
Emotional Support
Social and Community Support: Support with community involvement, maintaining social relationships and participating in meaningful activities.
Advocacy to ensure that the person’s rights and preferences are respected in decision-making.
Acquired Brain Injury Support
An acquired brain injury is an umbrella term for all cases of brain damage due to injuries and neurological disorders after birth. Some common causes of brain damage include brain tumours, stroke, physical trauma, brain infections (such as meningitis) or incidents involving asphyxiation. People with acquired brain injury often struggle with cognitive impairments and behaviours that may challenge them. Care professionals can guide people with a life changing injury to integrate into every area of life.
What Does the Support Include?
Comprehensive Assessments
Personalised Care Plans
Occupational Therapy: Focusing on skills needed for daily activities, work, or hobbies.
Speech and Language Therapy: Targeting memory, attention, problem-solving, and executive functioning
Behavioural Support: Implementing Positive Behavior Support (PBS) strategies to manage behaviours of concern and promote positive outcomes.
Personal care, meal preparation, and household management based on the person’s level of independence.
Family and Carer Support (Respite Care)
Rapid Response: Providing crisis intervention strategies to manage potential risks and support people during distress.
Emotional Support
Social and Community Support: Support with community involvement, maintaining social relationships and participating in meaningful activities.
Advocacy to ensure that the person’s rights and preferences are respected in decision-making.
Spinal Injury Support
Spinal cord injuries typically occur as a result of traffic accidents, incidents related to sports and manual labour, or physical violence. This type of injury can be a traumatic, life-altering event for the person and their whole family. Therefore, the assistance of an experienced support team can help people affected by spinal cord injury overcome their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.
What Does the Support Include?
Long-Term Health Monitoring and Management: Regular follow-up appointments to monitor health, manage complications, and adjust care as needed.
Occupational Therapy: Focus on regaining skills needed for daily activities, such as dressing, grooming, and using adaptive equipment
Speech and Language Therapy: Support for people who may have difficulty with swallowing or communication due to associated injuries.
Personal Care
Family and Carer Support (Respite Care)
Emotional Support
Social and Community Support: Support with community involvement, maintaining social relationships and participating in meaningful activities.
Advocacy to ensure that the person’s rights and preferences are respected in decision-making.
The Benefits of Complex Care
Support Plan
It takes a holistic approach to consider every aspect of one person’s needs, including physical health, mental health and personal boundaries. Conducting a thorough assessment and planning process, the person who requires support and their family are well-prepared for the care journey ahead.
A well-organised and thoughtfully developed care plan plays a crucial role in appropriately managing a person’s health and social challenges, which reduces the risk of complications and unnecessary hospital admissions. Additionally, complex care plans that emphasise outcomes empower people to achieve a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance.
Coping with a complex health condition can be a source of significant stress mental health of the affected person and their families. Nevertheless, having the right care plan can offer reassurance and alleviate the anxiety accompanying it.
Do you need an assessment and a human-centric care plan that evolves together with the person’s needs?
We welcome referrals from case management teams, local authorities, NHS Trusts and integrated care boards, as well as directly from the home and family.
Complex Care Training
Complex care training ensured that every team member is competent in their practical responsibilities and also emotionally attuned, trauma-aware, and person-centred in their approach.
We are part of an organisation that is a PROACT-SCIPr-UK® Accredited Training Center. To say that training is essential to us is an understatement, as we have a structured certification programme that enables tailored in-house training while upholding the highest standards of care. All training is delivered in line with CQC best practice standards, fully meeting their standards and expectations for safe, effective, and person-centred care. It also meets the Restraint Reduction Network standards and promotes best practice across education, health, and social care.
At Leaf Complex Care, we provide a comprehensive training framework that reflects best practice, regulatory standards, and the individualised needs of the people we support. This includes training in:
PROACT-SCIPr-UK® (Positive Range of Options to Avoid Crisis and use Therapy) – A certified behaviour support approach that focuses on non-restrictive interventions, de-escalation, and crisis prevention.
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) – Grounded in human rights, PBS empowers our teams to understand behaviour as communication and design proactive strategies that promote well-being, skill-building, and dignity.
Trauma-Informed Practice – Helping staff recognise the impact of trauma, respond with empathy and safety, and avoid re-traumatisation through informed care environments and relationships.
Autism-Informed Practice – Supporting staff to provide care that recognises and responds to the sensory, communication, social, and processing differences often experienced by autistic people, while celebrating neurodiversity.
Autism and Learning Disability Awareness – Including strategies for sensory regulation, communication support, and inclusive, strength-based practice.
Safeguarding and Risk Management – Ensuring our teams are confident in identifying concerns, responding appropriately, and upholding every person’s right to safety.
Mental Capacity and Consent – Training staff to support informed decision-making, respecting autonomy and working within legal and ethical frameworks.
BSL (British Sign Language) and Communication Tools – Supporting communication for people with nonspeaking or alternative communication styles.
Complex Care Support with Leaf Complex Care
Jacob, a young person with a lived experience of a brain abnormality linked to a learning disability, communicates through behaviours that raise concern despite his unique abilities. He has endured non-epileptic seizures for several years. To thrive, Jacob requires tailored care and support from a dedicated team that understands his specific needs and is committed to creating a safe environment for him and his family.
Upon his birth, a kidney abnormality was identified, necessitating surgery. Little did his family know that further examinations would be required later. At just five years old, Jacob began experiencing non-epileptic seizures, leading to a host of challenges. These seizures highlight the importance of a compassionate and understanding support team to ensure Jacob’s safety and the best possible outcomes in his daily life.
So, how does meeting the right support enable positive outcomes for Jacob? Please take a moment and watch the mini-documentary.
Download the case studies and see how our person-centred care brings positive change and empowers individuals to be as independent as possible in the community and their own homes.
If you want to work with us and develop a complex care plan together, please don’t hesitate and contact us today. We deliver complex care across the UK with offices in Bristol, South East, Birmingham and Somerset.
