12.03.15 - Consultation underway on respite care and sitting services on the Isle of Wight
A two-month consultation has
been launched recently on proposals to change the way the Isle of Wight Council
charges services users for respite care and sitting services.
The proposals seek to make sure those eligible are financially
assessed to contribute fairly towards their respite care and sitting service,
based on their ability to pay – and ensuring enough money is retained to meet
their everyday living costs.
The consultation is seeking the views of current and potential
service users, stakeholders and other interested parties. As well as an online
consultation (via iwight.com), paper and easy read copies of the questionnaire
will be made available. Letters are also being sent out over the next few days
to all who receive the service.
The proposals have been generated in response to new
requirements placed on the council under the Care Act 2014.
Executive member for adult social care, Councillor Steve
Stubbings said:
“This consultation allows us to take full account of the views
and feedback before bringing finalised proposals to the council for
consideration.
“Under the proposals all who are in need of these services will
continue to receive them and following an assessment they will only be charged
if they are able to pay.
“The proposed changes are set against the backdrop of new
legislation under the Care Act – as well as the well documented financial
pressures placed upon the council by reduced government grants and rising
costs.”
The new duties under the Care Act 2014 include supporting carers
on an equal basis to other adult service users and supporting self-funding
people to access care through the council.
It means from April 2016 an increase is envisaged in the number
of people approaching the council for help with their care and support. This is
because the upper limit starting point from which a person will be required to
meet the full cost of their care fees without financial support from the
council is increasing. The new upper capital limit is expected to be different
dependent upon whether the care will be required at home or in a residential
care setting and is due to be subject to further national consultation.
To help meet the expected increased costs, the council is
seeking to amend its current charging policy by removing the flat rate weekly
charge for respite care (that is applied for up to eight weeks in a year) and
introduce a charge that is based on a financial assessment of the cared for
person.
In addition, the council proposes to introduce an assessed
charge for its sitting service based on a financial assessment of the cared for
person, to replace the existing two hours of free sitting provided each week.
Under the proposed new arrangements the council has no intention
of removing or reducing the provision of respite care and sitting services. Currently
512 people receive either respite or sitting services – and 726 receive a
personal budget that may include a need for these services as part of their support
plan.
Source: Island Echo http://www.islandecho.co.uk/news/consultation-underway-on-respite-care-and-sitting-services
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