This in from Jenny, LINk Communications and Online Support Officer at Help and Care. In their own words. Ed
Cuts to social care services by the Isle of Wight Council were recently deemed unlawful by the High Court.
Council Leader David Pugh and Cabinet Member Roger Mazillius released a statement reporting that although they were disappointed, they accepted the judge’s decision and agreed to comply with the ruling immediately.
Report due early 2012
This comes at a time when the Island’s Local Involvement Network (LINk), through a workplan group, is exploring the effects of a number of recent changes to adult social care on the island, including this change of eligibility criteria. A report is currently in preparation, due for completion early in 2012.
This report will make recommendations to the council about domiciliary care, customer service and information around personal budgets and changes to the eligibility criteria, which the Judicial review has overturned.
Monitoring where alternative cuts are made
“Members of the LINk network will be monitoring how the Isle of Wight Council implements the judgment and subsequent action to address this on-going issue.” Chris Orchin, Stewardship Group Chair.
“I do not see this as a ‘victory’ but more as a failure of the system. So instead of celebration, I feel concerned that the Council will need to make cuts somewhere else.” Niviera Piper, Stewardship Group Member.
The Isle of Wight LINk will therefore be keeping a close eye on how work progresses in this area and documenting how these changes to social care eligibility thresholds affect adults on the Isle of Wight.
Image: Mike Kline under CC BY 2.0
