Committee’s debate on social care support

Members of the Adults’ Services Select Committee have cautiously welcomed proposals to increase the percentage of cost paid for non-residential social care support.

Fairer Charging was introduced in 2002 following guidance from the Department for Health.

The charge is made against the disposable income (the amount an individual has available once a basic living allowance, property-related household expenses and disability-related expenses have been deducted) of people receiving non-residential social care support, such as home care and day care.

The current charge is 80 percent, but proposals are out to consultation to increase the amount charged to either 90 percent or 100 percent, which would bring West Sussex in line with other authorities.

Chairman of the Committee Irene Richards said: “The Committee recognised that the County Council is facing severe financial pressures, which means that all services are having to be looked at closely, but we stressed that the impact on our customers should not be lost sight of.

“We recommended that the increase in charging should be staggered, moving to 90 percent for the first year and then to 100 percent, but we would want a focus group of customers set up so the Committee could review feedback following the first year.

“We also recommended that increases should be tapered to minimise the impact on customers who already pay the highest contributions towards their care.”

The Committees views will be considered by the Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services together with the consultation results before a decision is taken.

Topics: Department of Health, disability, Governance, household expense, living allowance, social care, support

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