A recent report from The Guardian newspaper sets out some worrying statistics which affect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
The key points from the article are:
- The number of vulnerable older and disabled people who had home care services fully paid by their local authority fell by 11% in England in the past two years.
- There are wide variations in council charges across England.
- Home care services – which send carers to help vulnerable older and disabled people get up in the morning, and get washed, dressed and fed – are becoming more expensive and inaccessible to many of the population.
- There are wide disparities in the price people pay for care depending on their location.
- The average charge for an hour of home care has risen by 10% in the past two years – from £12.29 to £13.61.
- Fewer older people are getting their care for free, and more older and disabled people are being forced to pay more.
- 8/10 councils now only provide care for people with "substantial" or "critical" needs. Only those who meet council eligibility tests and have savings of less than £14,250 are entitled to free care.
It should be remembered that the delivery of care may be a private arrangement, or (as often) it may be provided via the duties of social services departments to “arrange the necessary care” for persons in need of that care who are eligible. Charging is a discretionary power of Social Services Departments. But – as can be seen in the article – many are now charging where they didn’t before, or charging more.
It is therefore crucial that advice is sought on the provision of care and charging. It may be that in an individual case the actual costs should be fully met or paid by another authority e.g. NHS if the care provided is in respect of a healthcare need.
Stephensons’ community care team has expertise in the many field of community care law including adult care provision, child care, and care funding matters. We have been involved in a number of important cases in this field. Legal Aid may be available, or we have competitive fixed fee tariffs to assist people. Our community care team is part of the civil liberties unit who regularly challenge public law decisions on behalf of the individuals that they affect.
By community care expert, Pete Donohue