Agenda item

For the Health Scurtiny Committee to consider the proposed Adult Social Care Charging Policy.

Members previously received a presentation on the Adult Social Care Charging Policy and posed the following questions and discussion points on what was presented to them.

 

Was a phased implementation of the Adult Social Care Charging Policy been considered?

 

There was never a good time to change and increase the charging policy but it was done to match other organisations and the amount they charged.

 

Were there mitigations in place for those that would struggle with the changes?

 

Mitigations were put into place to ensure that the changes would not adversely impact people. The consultation showed that there were varied responses to the proposed changes.

 

Were discussions with the Committee part of the consultation process and did these help with the pre-decision of the charging policy?

 

The discussions with the Committee provided support in the pre-decision of the policy by acknowledging the views of Members and taking into consideration their recommendations.

 

Was there any positive feedback from the consultation on the changes to the Adult Social Care Charging Policy?

 

There were some responses that highlighted the rationale and understanding for the proposals.

 

Were those that received social care informed of the changes to the charging policy?

 

Every person that was in receipt of adult social care was informed via a letter of the proposed changes to the charging policy and urged them to provide feedback as part of the consultation.

 

With the changing financial climate, had officers gone to individuals to review that they were in receipt of everything they were entitled to?

 

The next stage of the process was used to review and support those individuals that had worked with  officers to ensure that they received everything that they were entitled to, however, the circumstances of each individual was different and had to be recognised.

 

Would officers work with voluntary organisations and charities to support residents to ensure that they were in receipt of everything that they were entitled to?

 

Officers would work with the voluntary and charity sector to support as many people as possible as well as provide signposting for support for different areas such as wellbeing and financial support.

 

Will everyone be reviewed as part of the process to the charging policy?

 

Residents and recipients were already being reviewed to ensure that they were receiving the correct benefits and support available and this would continue as part of the implementation. Officers highlighted that they were working with health colleagues as part of this process.

 

Members commented that partnership with Town and Parish Councils should be utilised to help support a greater number of people.

 

Had night-time care been considered as part of the financial assessment?

 

Night-time care had been recognised as part of the process when examining disability support.

 

Have other cases of changes to the charging policy been examined with legal consideration?

 

Members were informed that legal advice was used in the developments of the charging policy.

 

Did the local Integrated Care Board have the opportunity to respond as part of the consultation?

The local Integrated Care Board supported the development of the charging policy along with the Telford & Wrekin Integrated Place Partnership (TWIPP) to understand the impact that it would have on healthcare systems.

 

Has the impact of community alarms been recognised, especially with the recent move from it being analogue to digital?

 

Members were informed that the risk over the switch from analogue to digital alarms had been recognised and that it was part of the assessment and reviewing process.

 

Has the financial pressure been recognised for those that received residential and domiciliary care?

 

Those residents that received domiciliary care or were in residential care were recognised and the financial assessment for the charging policy had taken this into account.

 

How can the Council ensure that residents were not missed as part of the changes?

 

Members were informed that there were mechanisms in place to work with residents and their families to ensure that they were not missed and received all of the benefits that they were entitled to.

 

How would the Council account for young people that received social care?

 

Members were informed that each case was dependent on the referral. Each case involves 28 days to undertake assessment and during that time both financial assessments and associated risks were carried out. Collaborative work with the Independent Living Centre also took place, where they would be able to provide additional support and advice.

 

Did the Council consider a phase implementation of the changes to the charging policy?

 

A phased implementation had been considered as part of the planning process for the proposed changes to the charging policy.

 

What work was being completed to ensure that people received the benefits that they were entitled to?

 

Members were informed that a dedicated 18 month work programme with a dedicated team were working on this to ensure that residents received everything that they were entitled to.

 

Following the discussions and questions, Members thanked officers for speaking to the Committee and discussed recommendations.

 

The members voted unanimously on the following recommendations:

 

RESOLVED – that the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee recommend to the Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care & Health Systems:

a)      that they consider a phased implementation of the new Adult Social Care Charging Policy with consideration to how it could be implemented fairly;

b)      further consultation take place with Town and Parish Councils and external social care organisations to help signpost clients that may need additional support;

c)      a further review of benefit entitlement as part of the assessment process;

d)      that training be made available for all Councillors, which includes points of contact to help direct members of the public to access support;

e)      that a six month review of the Charging Policy be brought to the Committee in a workshop to update Members on the impact of the implemented changes.