Our charging policy for adults who use non-residential social care services has been reviewed following wide public consultation carried out between 8 August and 7 November 2011. The services affected are:-
-
home care, including home care provided in a Supported Living setting;
-
day services and similar services bought with a direct payment; and
- transport that we are required to provide.
See the consultation reports and Executive decisions
Why was there consultation on changes to charging?
The purpose of the consultation was to ask for people’s views on our proposals for making charging fairer for everyone. It also took account of the need to change the charging policy because of the increasing numbers of people needing services and the ever-tightening council finances. Many people did not agree with the changes. A lot, though, thought that it is fair that people who can afford to pay should pay.
Back to top
Will everyone be affected?
No. The financial assessment we carry out takes into account the financial position of individuals who receive services from us.
The assessment will work out how much people can afford to pay towards the service(s) they receive and how much the council will pay.
We will continue to protect those who, following financial assessment, are least able to pay.
Back to top
What’s happened since the consultation closed?
In mid-March we published two documents - an executive summary and an analysis report - on the results of the consultation. The council’s Executive considered the consultation results. The following changes to charging have now been agreed:-
-
Day services or similar services bought with a direct payment will be charged at the cost of the individual session rate. These services have previously been free, whether a person can afford them or not.
-
A charge of £5 for each single journey will be introduced for transport that we are required to provide. Until now, this service has been free whether or not a person can afford to contribute to the cost.
-
The maximum amount that anyone pays for services will be increased from £203 to £350 per week. From 1 April 2013, the £350 weekly limit will be removed and the full cost of services will be charged.
-
The standard charge for home care will be increased to £12.42 per hour. Until now, the charge has been at a subsidised rate of £11.25 per hour.
- Where a person uses some or all of their direct payment to purchase home care, the charge will be equal to the payment provided for the service.
- If someone needs more than one carer per home care visit, each carer will be charged for. Until now, only one carer has been charged for.
See the consultation reports and Executive decisions
Back to top
What’s happening now?
The changes to charging will continue to protect people who are least able to pay following a means-tested financial assessment. We are contacting the relatively small number of people who already receive services and have been identified from our records as possibly being affected by the changes. This is to let them know how the changes affect them individually.
Where can I get further information?
Further information is available as follows:-
Information about the public consultation and the Executive decisions:
-
By post: In-house Services Team, Adult Social Care, Leicester City Council, B8 New Walk Centre, Leicester LE1 6ZG.
-
By email: nonrescharges@leicester.gov.uk
-
By 'phone: 0116 252 8890.
General information about charges for non-residential social care services:
Non-Residential Charging Team,
Adult Social Care,
Leicester City Council,
B5, New Walk Centre,
Leicester LE1 6ZG.
Telephone: 0116 252 8815.
See Also:
*External links open new windows. Leicester City Council is not responsible for the content and services on external websites or any software downloaded to your computer.
Back to top
