Information on Loughborough

Adult social care consultation launched

Posted on 26/08/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Adult Social Care Service

25 August 2009

Adult social care consultation launched

Leicestershire residents are being asked to contribute to a consultation about adult social care services offered in the county.

The County Council is reviewing its Fairer Charging Policy - the way in which it charges for non-residential social care services such as home care, transportation and community meals.

Adult social care is changing and now some people receive individual budgets which they can use to tailor the services they receive, as well as a direct cash payment to pay for this support.

The aim is part of an overall move to “personalise” social care and give people more choice, control and power.

The council’s Fairer Charging Policy has been in place since 2002, but is now being reviewed as a result of these changes.

The review will ensure that the charging policy is fair, equitable and transparent and updated to incorporate the emphasis on personalisation.

The council would like to hear from members of the public, anyone who has accessed social care services from the county council either for themselves or on behalf of someone else, or anyone who provides social care services.

All views are important and will help shape the new policy.

The consultation exercise began this month and will finish on October 30th.

David Sprason, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and

Health, said: "We carry out means-tests to make sure that no-one has to pay more than they can afford but the policy needs to be reviewed to ensure that it covers personalised care and is still fair.

"Money received from charging for services is used to help pay for the services we provide -  if we didn't charge it would not be possible to give as much help as we do now."

If you would like to contribute you can fill in an online questionnaire at www.leics.gov.uk/fair or print off a paper copy from the website and post it to Leicestershire County Council at:

Fairer Charging Consultation

Room 330

Adult Social Care

Leicestershire County Council

County Hall

Glenfield

LE3 8RL

Alternatively you can request a paper copy and SAE by calling: 0116 305 7404.

The council needs your views by 30th October.

If you have any questions or comments then please contact Colleen Smith, community care finance manager on 0116 3058369 or email Colleen.Smith@leics.gov.uk

Background

Non-Residential care services include:

  • Home Care
  • Day Care
  • Community Meals
  • Social Activities
  • Transport
  • Adaptations
  • Personal Assistance
  • People using Personal Budgets and Direct Payments for buying their services
  • Carers Services
  • Adult Placement
  • Supported Living
  • Supporting People
  • Any other non residential services

Residential and nursing accommodation is charged under a separate policy and is not included in this consultation.

A working group has been set up to review the policy; if you have any proposals or ideas that you would like to be included in the review please contact Colleen Smith.

Further Information

In 2002 the Department of Health issued guidance on Fairer Charging Policies for Home Care and other non-residential social services. Following a consultation exercise, Councillors agreed the current charging policy. The current charging policy covers:

  • Home Care Services
  • Supported Living
  • Adult Placement
  • Supported People
  • Community Meals

In 2008 the Department of Health issued a consultation paper on fairer contributions for service users in receipt of Personal Budgets. Following this the Department of Health will issue guidance on how councils should integrate Personal Budgets into their charging policies.