Agenda item

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive approved the proposal to remove reference to Department of Work and Pensions DS1500 Certificates from the Adult Social Care Fees and Charges Policy and not extend the exemption to charging to the SR1 Form.

Reasons for Recommendation: This recommendation is the preferred option as it provides an equitable policy on charging for all people with an eligible need for community-based services, in line with charging regulations and statutory guidance.

Alternative Options Considered: Other options have been considered;

a)      Do nothing – this would mean that NNC’s Adult Social Care Charging policy does not reflect current practice in relation to Department Work and Pensions assessments and provision for extending benefits to people assessed as approaching the end of their life.

Extend the exemption on charges to the SR1 form - this option is not recommended as it would result in inequitable financial contributions for people in receipt of community-based care and support.

The Chair invited Cllr Matt Keane to address the Executive. Cllr Keane noted cancelled government plans to reform Adult Social Care nationally and charging reform plans that had been delayed for a further two years. Cllr Keane queried what care packages the Council was looking at and raised concerns that government was delaying much needed reform and leaving councils to pick up the cost of inadequate national reform.

The Chair thanked Cllr Keane for his comments before inviting Cllr Dorothy Maxwell to address the meeting. Cllr Maxwell sought assurances that care paid for was being received and queried monitoring of nursing homes and whether patients were treated fairly and received value for money for services provided.

The Chair then invited Cllr Helen Harrison, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing to present a report that sought agreement to amend the Adult Social Care (ASC) Fees and Charges Policy to remove reference to exemption from charging for community-based care services for people who were in receipt of a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) DS1500 fast track benefit claim form.

Responding to the speakers, Cllr Harrison stated that potential social care reform was a very important element of future service provision, with some of the delays to government plans to date being unfortunate, but noting that had plans progressed, there would have been significant cost implications for the Council. The Council continued to strive for the best possible care for its residents and the Adult Social Care (ASC) team worked diligently to provide this, with care assessments, annual reviews and quality monitoring of services undertaken to ensure people were receiving the right care.

It was noted that the Council’s ASC Fees and Charges Policy currently contained an exemption to charging for community-based care services if a person was in receipt of a DWP DS1500 fast track benefit claim form. This policy stipulation was not based on legislation, or the Charging Regulations as set out in the Care Act 2014 and was a legacy from the former county council. It was heard that the DS1500 form had now been discontinued by the DWP and replaced by a new form (SR1) that had altered the scope and processes involved. The report before members therefore proposed that reference to the DS1500 form be removed from the ASC Fees and Charges Policy and not be extended to the new SR1 form.

It was heard that there was currently no review process in place for people on a DS1500 exemption from charges, so they would continue to be exempt from charges for community-based care services indefinitely.

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive approved the proposal to remove reference to Department of Work and Pensions DS1500 Certificates from the Adult Social Care Fees and Charges Policy and not extend the exemption to charging to the SR1 Form.

Reasons for Recommendation: This recommendation is the preferred option as it provides an equitable policy on charging for all people with an eligible need for community-based services, in line with charging regulations and statutory guidance.

Alternative Options Considered: Other options have been considered;

a)      Do nothing – this would mean that NNC’s Adult Social Care Charging policy does not reflect current practice in relation to Department Work and Pensions assessments and provision for extending benefits to people assessed as approaching the end of their life.

Extend the exemption on charges to the SR1 form - this option is not recommended as it would result in inequitable financial contributions for people in receipt of community-based care and support.