Purpose

Through appropriate governance routes it has
previously been agreed to consult on several changes to our care
charging policies, including:

1) Non-residential care charging changes:
- Remove the maximum charge cap (currently £250 per
week)
- Move from charging based on 92% of the cost of service to
100%
- Move from 75% of assessable income taken into account to
100%
- Consider whether it is worth reducing the amount of disability
benefits we automatically disregard from the financial assessment
of client contributions from 25% to 20%

2) To agree to moving LBH’s Minimum Income Guarantee
calculation in line with DHSC minimum rates.

3) To agree a new, flat rate arrangement fee of £162.65 for
self-funders who request that LBH set up or make changes to a
package of care for them on their behalf.

4) To agree to a nominal weekly fee for Technology-Enabled Living
Services applicable to residents who do not qualify under the
eligibility criteria outlined in the Care Act.

5) To introduce a £10 administration fee for Blue Badge
applications and renewals.

A previous Cabinet Report is attached under "Background Papers" for
the decision related to the adult social care care charging policy
changes.

Following approval, a 13-week consultation took place regarding the
change proposals. The consultation ran from Monday 7 July to Sunday
5 October. Working with key user groups and partner organisations,
we planned and led 16 consultation events throughout this period
and provided both online and paper surveys to residents so they
could provide their views on the proposed changes. We received 276
survey responses in total, and residents’ feedback on the
proposals has been outlined and responded to in a report for
Cabinet. We have considered all of the feedback from the
consultation and have made several recommendations, which will also
be covered in the upcoming, most recent, Cabinet Report.

Content

RESOLVED:
 
3.1.  
Considering extensive evidence from benchmarking which
consistently
showed how Hackney is an outlier in
relation to its care charging policies,
followed by a 13-week consultation
with key user groups on some proposed changes, and a review of
resident feedback, Cabinet are being asked to agree the following
changes to Hackney’s care charging policies:
 
3.2.  
To agree to the following changes to Hackney’s
non-residential Care
Charging Policy:
 
3.2.1. To remove the maximum charge cap
(currently £250 per week)
 
3.2.2. To move from charging based on 92% of
the cost of service to 100%
 
3.2.3. To move from 75% of assessable income
taken into account to 100%
 
3.3.  To agree to moving
LBH’s Minimum Income Guarantee calculation in line with DHSC
minimum rates.
 
3.4.  To agree a new, flat rate
arrangement fee of £162.65 for self-funders who request that
LBH set up or make changes to a package of care for
them on their behalf.
 
3.5.  To agree a fee for
Technology-Enabled Living Services applicable to residents who do
not qualify under the eligibility criteria outlined in the Care
Act.
 
3.6.  To introduce a £10
administration fee for Blue Badge applications and renewals.
 
3.7.  To confirm an agreement,
following consultation and feedback from residents, that the amount
of disability benefits we automatically disregard from the
financial assessment of client contributions will remain at 25%,
and not be reduced to 20% as proposed.