Free letter templates and printable checklists for families arranging care in the UK. Each template quotes the right law or guidance, tells you what to gather first and explains what happens next. Copy the wording, fill in the parts in [square brackets], and print or save as PDF.
In short
- 6 letter templates for the most common care disputes and requests in England, each with notes for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- 4 printable checklists for hospital discharge, moving into a care home, choosing a home care agency and the first week with a live-in carer.
- A glossary of 150 care and funding terms.
- All free to use. Keep a copy of anything you send.
Letter templates
- Complaint letter to a care home: free template and how to use it — A free, editable complaint letter for a care home, with what to gather first, how to send it and how to escalate to the ombudsman.
- Letter to challenge a care needs assessment: free template — A free letter asking the council to reassess, citing the Care Act 2014 and eligibility rules, with complaint timelines and how to reach the ombudsman.
- NHS continuing healthcare appeal letter: free template — A free CHC appeal letter asking the ICB to review its decision, with the evidence to gather, timescales and the route to independent review.
- Letter to request a carer’s assessment: free template — A free, ready-to-send letter asking your council for a carer’s assessment, with the Care Act 2014 rules, timescales and next steps explained.
- Letter to dispute a care home fee increase: free template — A free template letter to challenge a care home fee rise, using CMA consumer law advice, top-up rules and the Ombudsman route.
- Letter giving notice to leave a care home: free template — A free template letter giving notice to leave a care home, with CMA guidance on notice, refunds, deposits and moving when the council pays.
Printable checklists
- Hospital discharge checklist for families (printable) — A printable, stage-by-stage checklist to help families prepare for an older parent leaving hospital in England, from the first days on the ward to the first week home.
- Moving into a care home checklist: before, on the day and after — A printable checklist for families moving a parent into a care home in England, covering the paperwork, benefits, GP, belongings, moving day and the first weeks.
- Choosing a home care agency: printable checklist — A printable checklist for families choosing a home care agency in England, from checking CQC registration to reviewing the first two weeks of visits.
- First week with a live-in carer: printable checklist — A printable checklist to help families in England settle a new live-in carer, covering the room, routines, house rules, breaks, handover notes and safety.
- Care home visit checklist — What to look for and ask on a care home visit.
Care terms explained
- Care glossary: 150 UK care and funding terms explained — An A to Z of 150 care, funding and legal terms families meet when arranging care in the UK and Ireland, with 2026/27 figures where they apply.
How to use these templates
Send letters by email and keep the sent copy, or by recorded delivery and keep the receipt. Note the date you sent it and any deadline the letter mentions. If you are acting for someone else, say on what basis (for example, as their attorney, or with their consent). These templates are general information, not legal advice; for complex disputes, get advice from a solicitor or a free advice service.
Frequently asked questions
Are these letter templates free to use?
Yes. Copy, edit and send them as you like. They are written for families arranging care and cite the law or official guidance each request relies on. Check the notes under each template for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where some rules differ from England.
Do I need a solicitor to complain about care?
Usually not. Complaints to care providers, councils and the NHS, and later to the ombudsman, are designed to be made without a lawyer and are free. A solicitor may help in complex disputes such as large fee refunds, judicial review or Court of Protection matters.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Checked October 2026.