As the council embark on a consultation on changes to social services, this in from the council this morning. Further details can be found on the Have Your Say Website. Ed
The Isle of Wight Council today (Friday 15 October) launches major consultations on proposals to change the way it delivers and charges for adult social care services.
The consultation will both inform residents of – and seek their views on -proposals to ensure those in most need are looked after appropriately both now and in the future in the light of the council’s reduced financial resources.
The proposals also address anomalies in the current charging structure. For example some people with similar needs currently pay different amounts – or nothing at all – for the same services. In other areas, the council is also in many cases paying the full cost of some services even though some people using these services actually receive benefits to pay for them or have significant savings or other income.
Specific proposals around charging include charging people against the actual cost of the services provided to them, this includes meals on wheels, day care and homecare services. In addition, people will be eligible to pay whatever their age.
Not billed if you can’t afford it
However the council has stressed that no one will be billed for services they cannot afford and if agreed, the charges will not be introduced until April 2011 at the earliest and will only be payable by individuals when both their needs and ability to pay have been individually assessed. During this assessment process, people will also be given advice and information to ensure they are claiming the full benefits for which they are entitled.
In addition the council is looking to raise the threshold for those eligible to receive adult social care service from those assessed currently as “critical” or “substantial” to only those assessed as critical. However in doing so, it is still looking to provide support to people below the critical threshold if they face specific significant risks to their continued independence and safety.
As with changes to the charging policy, nothing will change until 1 April 2011 and again nobody will see changes to their support until they have been individually reassessed
What will not change will be any services provided to those in residential care, the mechanism by which people’s means are assessed or those currently assessed as having critical needs. Those whose needs are currently deemed as substantial will be assessed to determine which parts of these packages are most needed in order to stop their needs becoming critical. These elements will continue to be provided by the council.
Aside from issues around fairer charging, the consultation also sets out the council’s case for transferring the respite care facility at Westminster House, Newport, to The Gouldings in Freshwater and The Adelaide in Ryde.
Cllr Mazillius confirms thorough consultation
Cllr Roger Mazillius, IW Council Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, said the 90-day consultation process would be a thorough one, canvassing the views of those who use these services as well as their families and carers, private and voluntary sector providers of services, staff working in the field and also the wider community.
“It must be remembered that no final decisions have been taken on these proposals and nor will they be until the consultation has been conducted and all the responses properly evaluated, and a decision taken through the Cabinet and Full Council” Cllr Mazillius said.
“I hope as many people as possible but particularly those most affected by these decisions will present their views to us.
“While there is a need for the council to reduce its budget by an estimated £32 million over the next four years this is also an opportunity for us to make sure our services are delivered as fairly as possible and that the right services are received by those most in need.
“It is also a chance to review the way we provide services as we move towards the full introduction of personal budgets by April 2013.”
On Westminster House, Cllr Mazillius said: “It remains the view of the Cabinet that the move to improved premises at The Gouldings and The Adelaide is in the best interests of those who use the service, their carers and of council tax payers.
“But I accept we need to further explain the benefits of such a move. While doing that we will also listen to what people have to tell us and take on board their suggestions before making our final proposals to council.
“The consultation will be as comprehensive as possible and we look forward to hearing residents’ views to help inform our future decisions in this key area.”
Image: Orin Optiglot under CC BY 2.0
