Purpose

Confirmation of the changes to be made to the Adult Social Care Charging Policy following the completion of a public consultation.

Decision

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the changes to the Adult Social Care charging policy following the completion of the public consultation, specifically to -

(a).   Apply a 10% discretionary enhancement to the minimum income guarantee for those receiving non-residential or nursing care.

(b).   Increase the hourly rate charged for homecare for self-funders from £12.97 per hour to the cost of commissioning care. This is currently £20.50 per hour for contracted services, or £17.50 an hour for spot packages.

(c).   Agree that an annual uplift is applied to the hourly rate charged for homecare in line with the increase given to providers, so that the charge continues to reflect the amount paid to providers on an hourly basis.

(e).   Increase the amount charged to service users if they cannot have a light touch financial assessment, to a new average contribution (£32.52 per week).

(f).    Charge people the full cost of their care if their financial assessment cannot be completed within four weeks. Safeguards will remain in place where this is due to a physical or cognitive impairment.

(g).   Charge homecare service users their client contribution for up to seven days during a hospital admission.

(h).   Charge service users their client contribution for 28 days after being admitted to hospital from a residential or nursing home.

(i).    Agree the changes to the charging policy will be implemented from April 2024 onwards with a two-month minimum transition period to implement the new arrangements.

(j)     Agree that final arrangements for implementation of the policy be delegated to the Corporate Director Care Health & Wellbeing.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 12 February 24