Agenda item

To consider a report on Charging Policy to agree changes in principle to the fees and charges arrangements in Adult Social Care and to agree public consultation on these changes.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to commence a 6-week public consultation on the proposed changes to the Authority’s ‘Contributions Policy for Adult Care and Support Services’ (including the Schedule of Charges annexed to the Policy) on the proposed changes to the Policy.

The Authority's ‘Contributions Policy for Adult Care and Support Services’ was last updated in 2021. The Policy was developed in line with the requirements of the Care Act and outlined the principles for charging that were applied by the Authority. It was proposed that the Policy and Appendix B of the Policy, which was the Schedule of Charges, was updated to reflect the increased cost of delivering services.  It was also proposed that the Schedule of Charges be amended in respect of the charging arrangements for the following services: Charges for day care;Transport charges for day care; Administration charges for people who pay the full cost of their care;Appointee and deputyship charges;Community funeral arrangements and changes; andCharges for Care Call.

The review of the Policy also indicated areas where there were anomalies in the way charges were applied. It was proposed that changes were put in place to ensure a consistent approach and that the Policy was amended to provide greater clarity. Changes to the following areas were proposed:

• Charges for additional care workers when more than one care worker is needed.
• Ending £400 capped charges
• Charging for deep cleans

Section 14 of the Care Act outlines the principle for charging people in receipt of adult social care services and section 17 of the Act outlines the process for carrying out financial assessments to determine individuals’ contributions towards their care and support.  The statutory guidance produced by Department of Health and Social Care states that people should not be charged more than it was reasonably practicable for them to pay, and that charging rules must be applied equally so those with similar needs or services were treated the same and anomalies between different care settings minimal.  The principle of the charging process under the Care Act was that services were means tested and people should be charged according to their ability to pay, with the Authority funding the remainder of assessed social care support to meet eligible needs. These proposals did not affect that principle.

The areas for consideration and options on the proposed changes to the Authority’s ‘Contributions Policy for Adult Care and Support Services’ (including the Schedule of Charges annexed to the Policy) were detailed in sections 5.3 to 5.10 of the report.  A summary and conclusion of proposals were set out in section 5.11 of the report.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: either to agree the recommendations as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report; or alternatively, to not accept the recommendations.

Resolved that (1) Cabinet determine which of the options on the proposed changes to the Authority’s ‘Contributions Policy for Adult Care and Support Services’ (including the Schedule of Charges annexed to the Policy) it agrees in principle;

(2) the Director of Adult Social Care, be authorised to take all necessary steps to commence a 6-week public consultation on the proposed changes to the Authority’s ‘Contributions Policy for Adult Care and Support Services’ (including the Schedule of Charges annexed to the Policy) on the proposed changes to the Policy agreed in principle by Cabinet; and

(3) a further report be submitted at the conclusion of the public consultation so that Cabinet can determine if the proposed changes to the ‘Contributions Policy for Adult Care and Support Services’ (including the Schedule of Charges annexed to the Policy) should in principle be made to the Policy, be agreed.

(Reason for decision:The recommendations are intended to increase the amount of funding available in North Tyneside to provide social care services to those who cannot meet the costs of their care. The recommendations also address some aspects of inequity which have been identified which need to be addressed to ensure all people are treated the same, according to their financial assessment.)