Adult Social Care Non-Residential Charging Policy Consultation
Tameside Council is seeking views on proposed changes to the Council’s Adult Social Care Non-Residential Charging Policy. This consultation is open to all but we are particularly interested to hear the views of residents who receive adult social care and support services.
The consultation sets out the key changes proposed to the way the Council charge for care and support services, such as care received at home or Shared Lives scheme and support to manage finances provided by the Council.
What is the Adult Social Care Non Residential Charging Policy?
The Adult Social Care Non-Residential Charging Policy describes how the Council assesses a person’s finances, to find out how much, if anything, they should contribute towards the cost of their care.
The aim of this Policy is to provide a consistent and fair framework for charging people who receive care and support, following an assessment of their individual needs and financial circumstances.
The Care Act 2014 is the national legislation that sets out how councils charge adults for the care and support they receive to meet their needs. These needs are sometimes referred to as ‘identified, assessed or eligible needs’.
The Adult Social Care Non-Residential Charging Policy ensures that the Council is following the charging principles set out in the Care Act:
- The amount a person pays towards the cost of their care will be determined by looking at the cost of the service, their capital, expenditure and the income they receive.
- An individual financial assessment will be undertaken to ensure people are charged what they can reasonably afford to pay.
- Contributions towards the cost of care will be transparent and fair.
- A person will not be charged more than the amount the service has cost the Council.
- A person has sufficient money to meet their housing costs and any other disability related expenditure.
- After a person has paid their contribution, they will retain a basic minimum income, this is known as the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG).
What does the policy apply to?
The Policy applies to all adults’ non-residential care and support services, for example:
- A person’s own home (also known as domiciliary care, or home care)
- Extra care housing
- Supported living accommodation
- Shared Lives arrangements
Why are the proposed changes to the policy needed?
Following the introduction of the Care Act in 2014, the Adult Social Care Charging Policy was reviewed and updated to meet the recommendations suggested within the Care Act and an initial consultation took place in 2014 to gather your views.
It was felt that a review of the policy was needed to make the procedure for being financially assessed and charged for services easier to understand, as well as to ensure the long-term sustainability of care and support services.
What we would like to consult with you about
The purpose of this consultation is to listen to your views on the proposed changes, to help improve the proposed policy. As well as this, we would like to take the opportunity to ask for your views on other aspects of the policy that are not proposed to be amended.
We would like to hear your views on proposals that relate to:
- The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG)
- The elements of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)/ Personal Independence Payment (PIP) care component that may be disregarded and;
- The introduction of an arrangement fee and an annual fee for setting up care for self-funders.
You can find a copy of the draft revised Charging Policy here. If approved, the revised policy will be implemented in April 2022.
Please tell us your views by completing the consultation here
An easy-read version of the consultation has been developed. You can request one by contacting Reyhana.khan@tameside.gov.uk
The consultation will run from 28 October 2021 – 23 December 2021