Agenda item

SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELL-BEING (WALES) ACT 2014 - POLICY AND PROCEDURES REVISIONS FOR CHARGING ADULTS FOR SERVICES.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 – Policy and Procedures Revisions for Charging Adults for Services report.

 

The report sets out the revised policy, bringing together the previous policies and the interim policy agreed in 2016.

 

Summary of points from the policy.

·         Personal Allowance has been renamed as Minimum Income Amount and will increase annually in line with Welsh Government announcements. 2018-19 is set at £28.50 per week (This is revised annually by Welsh Government)

·         Non-residential Charges are applicable from first day of service.

·         Persons with Care and Support needs who have confirmed diagnosis of CJD will not be charged for Residential or Non-residential services.

·         The local authority can now charge interest of deferred payments from the date of the Agreement.

·         Short Term residents in a care home are now charged as if they were receiving non-residential services.

·         Choice of accommodation rules will apply to “Temporary / Permanent” placements in a care home, but this is not applicable to placements made under “Short Term” rules.

·         AVC are renamed to “Additional Costs” and will continue to apply, but will now be calculated from the highest cost of the 2 available homes, and not the mid-point as per the Interim Policy 2016.

 

The following issues/questions were raised on the report:-

 

·         Clarification was sought on the charging for respite care.

 

The Senior Business Manger advised that appropriate arrangements are made following an assessment by the Social Worker.  Where a person is considered to need a placement for less than 8 weeks, then the placement will be considered under the non-residential rules.  A person can have multiple stays in any period which are classed as short term which cumulatively add up to more than 8 weeks.

 

The charge per night for short term placements is based on the full cost of the placement.

 

·         Question was asked if the cost for respite care is means tested.

 

The Senior Business Manger advised that when a person is means tested the amount charged is capped – currently £80 per week.

 

·         Further information was requested regarding deferred payments.

 

The Senior Business Manger confirmed that where a deferred payment is agreed then it will enable the person to defer or delay paying some or all of the care costs so that they don’t have to sell their property when entering a care home.  The Authority will seek to take a priority charge over the property, however in some circumstances it will be a 2nd charge.  The Authority has the right to withdraw services if a person has not paid their charges.  It was advised that Carmarthen has yet to withdraw a service.  Instead, the Authority would seek payment from the estate.

 

  • Reference was made to point 1 on page 120 where the text states “Hours Commissioned per Week (No Visits)”  and the Committee was advised that this should read (No of Visits) and would be amended accordingly.

 

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD that the Policy and Procedures Revisions for Charging Adults for Services be endorsed.

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