Councillors will decide next week whether to charge some people for arranging their social care, due to rising budget pressures.
Cabinet approval for the proposal would signal an annual fee of just over £200 being introduced to around 700 ‘self-funders’ in Leicestershire who have more than £23,250 in savings, which doesn’t include the value of their home.
The proposal doesn’t affect people in residential care or those who have savings below the threshold.
We know from responses to a consultation that the charge being considered is unpopular, however, with a 40 per cent rise in the county's older population and falling Government grant, we have to do something
Person:Councillor Dave Houseman, county council cabinet member for adult social care
“We already know that a lot of people in need of support successfully organise their social care so one option for the people affected by the proposed charge is to make their own arrangements and we’ll provide a list of alternative providers.
"If they do decide to pay the fee, we’ll ensure they receive the right help and advice on finding the social care suitable to their specific needs.”
The report to Cabinet will outline that the 2014 Care Act allows local authorities to introduce a charge to cover the cost of making care arrangements, but councils can’t make a profit. The charge would recoup around £100,000 per year, says the report.
Leicestershire is proposing to charge £236 to negotiate and manage social care contracts with providers and to cover administration costs. Councils can’t charge for assessing finances, needs and social care planning.
Many councils already charge for arranging social care for self-funders, charges range from £100 in Nottinghamshire, £250 in Milton Keynes, £280 in York and £2,600 in Richmond-on-Thames.
If approved, the charge would be introduced in April this year.
Cabinets discussed the proposals on Tuesday, January 12th. The meeting webcast is online.