CHC Nurses Agency Network: Specialist Community Nursing Network & CHC Support
Empowering CHC Agency Nurses Through Community, Training and Professional Support
The CHC Nurses Agency Network is a specialist community created by and for nurses who work in NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC), agency nursing, and complex community care. We bring together experienced CHC nurses, independent nurse assessors and agency professionals to share knowledge, build confidence, and make the everyday reality of nursing life more manageable, connected and rewarding.
As every nurse knows, only another nurse truly understands the pressure, workload and responsibility that come with delivering safe, person-centred care. Our network offers a relaxed, supportive space where CHC nurses can ask questions, share experiences, access expert guidance and stay up to date with the latest developments in CHC funding, CQC compliance, learning disability (LD) support, Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) in the community and more.
A Supportive Community for CHC Agency Nurses
Private Social Media Groups and 24/7 Peer Support
At the heart of the CHC Nurses Agency Network is a core community of around 500 CHC agency nursing professionals who stay connected through confidential, invite-only social media groups. Members openly share professional issues, clinical experiences and practical tips 24/7, 365 days a year, creating a trusted environment for reflection and support.
New members are warmly welcomed into our network and invited to join our private online groups, where questions are answered quickly, challenges are shared honestly and solutions are co-created by nurses who understand CHC inside out.
Regular Events, Meetups and Networking
We run regular online and in-person events to bring our CHC nursing community together. These sessions include informal meetups, reflective practice spaces, specialist webinars and focused discussions on complex cases, documentation, and professional issues in CHC and agency nursing.
Many nurses who join the network build strong personal and professional connections, often becoming friends and long-term colleagues who support one another throughout their nursing careers.
Professional Development, Training and CHC Education
Specialist Training in CHC Assessment and Care Planning
We provide access to specialist training resources that help nurses deepen their understanding of NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments, care planning and funding pathways. Content is developed and delivered by experienced CHC practitioners and independent nurse assessors, focusing on:
- CHC eligibility criteria and national framework interpretation
- Best practice in CHC assessments, DSTs and checklists
- Person-centred care planning and evidence-based documentation
- Working effectively with ICBs, local authorities and MDTs
These learning opportunities support CHC nurses to work confidently in complex situations, strengthen their documentation skills, and advocate effectively for patients and families.
Focus on Transitions of Care and Continuity of Support
Our network regularly explores good practice around care transitions between hospital, community, residential and nursing home settings. Through peer discussion and shared case examples, nurses can refine their skills in:
- Managing safe and timely discharges
- Coordinating multi-agency input for complex cases
- Maintaining continuity of care across settings
- Reducing avoidable readmissions and safeguarding risks
This peer-led learning helps agency nurses and CHC professionals deliver smoother transitions for people with complex, long-term and end-of-life care needs.
Staying Ready for CQC & Quality Assurance Requirements
While we are a network rather than a consultancy organisation, many of our members bring extensive experience in CQC inspections, quality assurance and regulatory compliance. Through shared resources and discussions, nurses gain insight into:
- What good looks like in CQC-regulated environments
- How to evidence person-centred care and safe practice
- Documentation standards that support positive inspections
- Embedding a culture of continuous improvement in agency and community roles
This community knowledge base helps agency nurses maintain high standards wherever they are placed.
Expert Support for CHC, Community DoLS and Complex Care
Guidance on CHC and Community DoLS Application Processes
The CHC Nurses Agency Network is a valuable space to explore the practical realities of completing CHC applications, reviews and community Deprivation of Liberty (DoLS) processes. Members discuss:
- Preparing comprehensive clinical rationales and evidence
- Understanding the legal and ethical framework for DoLS
- Supporting patients and families through assessments and appeals
- Working collaboratively with commissioners and safeguarding teams
This peer guidance enables nurses to navigate complex application processes more confidently and efficiently.
Case-Based Learning and Best Practice Sharing
Real-world examples and anonymised case discussions form a key part of our network’s learning culture. By reviewing complex scenarios together, CHC agency nurses can:
- Reflect on decision-making and MDT dynamics
- Strengthen clinical reasoning and risk assessment skills
- Improve advocacy and communication with families and professionals
- Share tools, templates and approaches that work in practice
This collaborative learning helps maintain high standards of practice across the CHC and community nursing workforce.
Learning Disability, Person-Centred Care and Long-Term Conditions
Person-Centred Support for People with Learning Disabilities
Many members of the CHC Nurses Agency Network work with people who have learning disabilities (LD), autism and complex behavioural needs. Within the network we share best practice approaches for:
- Developing truly person-centred care and support plans
- Promoting autonomy, communication and choice
- Balancing risk management with independence and dignity
- Working alongside families, advocates and multi-disciplinary teams
This shared expertise supports nurses in delivering high-quality LD care within CHC and community settings.
Managing Complex and Long-Term Health Conditions
Our community includes nurses experienced in complex, long-term and palliative care, including tracheostomy care, PEG feeding, ventilation, neurological conditions and advanced dementia. Through shared learning, we support each other with:
- Complex care planning and escalation pathways
- Coordinating multi-agency input and community resources
- Meeting legal, ethical and safeguarding responsibilities
- Maintaining compassion, resilience and work–life balance
This helps CHC agency nurses deliver safe, sustainable and compassionate care in challenging circumstances.
Why Join the CHC Nurses Agency Network?
Built by CHC Nurses, for CHC Nurses
Our network is led and shaped by nurses who work daily in Continuing Healthcare, agency roles and community practice. We understand the pressures of lone working, complex caseloads and constantly changing guidance, and we have built a space that genuinely supports professional and personal wellbeing.
Relaxed, Safe and Confidential Environment
The CHC Nurses Agency Network is intentionally relaxed, down-to-earth and non-judgemental. Our confidential, invite-only groups allow nurses to speak openly about professional issues, seek advice and decompress after difficult shifts, without fear of criticism or exposure.
Grow Your Knowledge, Confidence and Career
Membership of the network can support your continuing professional development (CPD), expand your CHC expertise, and open doors to new professional opportunities and collaborations. Many nurses use the network to:
- Keep up to date with policy and practice changes in CHC
- Discover new agency roles, specialist posts and freelance options
- Gain informal mentorship and guidance from experienced peers
- Build a trusted support system for the long term
How to Join the CHC Nurses Agency Network
If you are a nurse working in Continuing Healthcare, agency nursing, community or complex care, you are welcome to express interest in joining our network. We aim to keep the community focused, professional and safe, so all new members are individually welcomed and added to the relevant private social media groups and event lists.
Connect with us today to learn more about how the CHC Nurses Agency Network can support your professional journey, enhance your CHC practice, and connect you with like-minded nurses across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the CHC Nurses Agency Network? The CHC Nurses Agency Network is a specialist, invite-only community of nurses working in Continuing Healthcare, agency and complex community care.
- Who can join the CHC Nurses Agency Network? Registered nurses with experience or a strong interest in CHC, agency nursing or complex community care are welcome to apply to join.
- Is the network only for UK nurses? Our primary focus is on UK-based CHC and agency nursing practice, so most members are UK nurses working within the NHS and independent sector.
- How do I access the private social media groups? Once accepted into the network, you will receive secure invitations to our confidential, members-only social media groups.
- Does the CHC Nurses Agency Network provide formal training courses? We focus on peer learning, shared resources and events rather than formal accredited training, but members often share links to high-quality CHC training opportunities.
- Are there any fees to join the CHC Nurses Agency Network? Details about membership arrangements and any applicable fees are provided when you enquire about joining the network.
- What types of events does the network run? We run webinars, online meetups, reflective practice sessions and occasional in-person gatherings focused on CHC, complex care and agency nursing issues.
- Can I discuss complex cases within the network? Yes, members frequently discuss anonymised cases for learning and support, always ensuring patient confidentiality is strictly maintained.
- Is the network suitable for newly qualified nurses? It can be very beneficial for early-career nurses interested in CHC or community work, as they can learn directly from highly experienced practitioners.
- How do I get started with the CHC Nurses Agency Network? To get started, contact us via our website or designated channels, and we will guide you through the simple process of joining the network.