Decision details

Purpose of Report: The report will set out how we will improve the way we allocate resources to residents who need adult social care to allow them to make real choices about how they can be supported.

The Cabinet Member will be asked to agree a refreshed Contributions Policy for adult social care.

To ensure meaningful consultation can take place, this item will now be heard at a public Decision Session in December (date to be confirmed) as more detailed work will be needed on the impact for customers and this cannot take place until more technical work is completed.

RESOLVED:             That option 1, to agree the proposed new contributions policy as in Annex A be approved.  The specific changes to the customer contributions policy would be as follows:

·        contributions to home care and day care services will be based on the actual cost of the support provided rather than a standard cost.

·        contributions will still be payable during temporary reduction or stoppage of support (eg hospital/holiday) in line with any contract agreements with providers.

·        where someone needs two carers to support them at the same time the personal budget and the costs of the support package will reflect the two carers.

·        where the personal budget is used to provide a short break, including up to eight weeks in a year within a residential setting, the customer contributions will be calculated on the basis of a non residential service.

Reason:                      To deliver a more consistent, transparent and equitable customer contributions policy and enable personal accounts to work in the same way for people who take a direct payment and those for whom the council commissions support.