Decision

Summary of
Decision
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care,
Public Health and Voluntary Sector has approved the standardising
of the rate paid to personal assistants through a flat rate direct
payment of £18.89 (inclusive of employment costs), at a cost
of £1.450m.
 
Reasons for
Decision
The Care and Support (Direct Payments)
Regulations 2014 states: “Local authorities must encourage a
variety of different providers and different types of services.
This is important in order to facilitate an effective open market,
driving quality and cost-effectiveness so as to provide genuine
choice to meet the range of needs and reasonable preferences of
local people who need care and support services, including for
people who choose to take direct payments, recognising, for
example, the challenges presented in remote rural areas for low
volume local services.”
Introducing a higher flat rate will bring the
Council in line with other local authorities and should attract a
larger personal assistant market which promotes the objective of
personalised care. It could maximise options for service users and
improve their chances of finding personal assistants who meet their
requirements and understand their cultural needs. A more attractive
wage could also attract more skilled and experienced personal
assistants, which is important for service users with complex
health needs and disabilities who require specialised care.