Decision details

Background:

This report brought forward proposals to consult upon proposed changes to the council’s policies on charging contributions for non-residential Adult Social Care services and Disabled Facility Grants for adaptations.

It was reported that the current charging arrangements for home care and other non-residential services were introduced in 2002 and were based on the type of care delivered. This was focused on care services and not on the personalised care and support which was now offered.The report also gave details of a potential update of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) policy by providing loans of up to £25,000 to recipients of DFG.

It was proposed that consultation be undertaken on the revisions and the report gave details of the consultation that would be undertaken with service users, carers and other stakeholders to inform the decision-making process. The proposals would be presented to the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 26 January 2012 and the outcome of the consultation process would be reported to Cabinet on 14 February 2012.

It was noted that an initial Diversity Impact Assessment screening form was attached to the report, which would be informed by the consultation.

The Cabinet agreed to accept this report as urgent to enable consultation to commence at the earliest opportunity.

Reasons:

The current charging policy for non-residential Adult Social Care services was introduced in 2002 and has not kept pace with changes in the way Adult Social Care is provided, specifically in terms of the impact of the personalisation agenda.

In order to better capture the way service users are choosing to receive care and support and to ensure that contributions are made on the basis of ability to contribute rather than any artificial categories, a full and open consultation process would inform a decision to amend the policy, thereby making it fairer and fit for purpose.

Providing loans of up to £25,000 to recipients of DFG will ensure that people who need complex and specialist major adaptations are able to proceed with the work and to remain at home safely, with dignity and respect.