The current situation

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Adult Social Care and Health Department currently provide a range of services to help people remain living independently in their own home. These include meals, day care, transport, home care, equipment and adaptations.

The changes

New rules from the Government mean that we will be offering our services in a new way. Under a policy called “ Putting People First” we will:

• offer advice and support on how people can buy the services they need
• we may be able to help people buy the care they need with a contribution from us depending on their financial resources.

“Putting People First” requires us to move from charging for services to helping with contributions so people can buy their own services.

The changes are important and before we make these changes we need to know what you think. You can download a copy of the new draft policy:

• Fairer contributions draft policy 2010 [Word 174KB]

There is also an explanation below of what the changes mean and how they might affect you.

Let us know what you think

Nottinghamshire County Council wants your views on a new way of paying for care. You have until the 31 March 2010 to tell us what you think. You can let us know by:

Post: Strategic Director, Adult Social Care and Health Department, County Hall, Loughborough Road, Nottingham NG2 7QP

Telephone: 0115 977 3622

Email: bigissues@nottscc.gov.uk

Online: Use the box below to send us your comments.

Effects of the new 'Fairer contributions' policy

How will I pay for my care in future?

The government has introduced “Putting People First” – a new way of delivering adult social care. This aims to give people more control over their lives by giving them money as a contribution towards a “Personal Budget”.

What is a Personal Budget?

A Personal Budget is the money needed to meet a person’s social care needs. It is worked out by the County Council and people who are eligible for social care agreeing what their needs are.

How can I use my Personal Budget?

You have two options:

• you can ask us to use your Personal Budget to plan and buy the services you need or
• you can choose, buy and manage your own services. We then contribute to the cost of these services.

Why does Putting People First mean the Council has to change the way I pay towards care?

The current charging policy for adult care services was designed for charging service users receiving traditional social care services such as home care. Now you can be much more flexible about the type of services you have. You may want to pay for a carer to take you on a trip, or for someone to take you swimming regularly. We need a different system for deciding how much people should contribute towards their Personal Budget.

How will this affect me?

Our new policy will apply to all everyone receiving a Personal Budget from us. Personal Budgets will be phased in from April 2010 for new and existing service users. The big differences between our old and new policies are summarised below and we would like your views on these proposals.

How much will I have to pay for my care?

The government has told us to ensure that people with low incomes can afford the services they need. This will mean that some people on low incomes will receive full payment towards their Personal Budget from us. People with more money may receive a contribution from us towards their care. The examples at the end of this letter show how the system will work.

What does this mean for me?

At the moment most non–residential adult social care services are subsidised no matter what the income and savings of the service user. We propose that people who are able to pay should meet the full cost. This would mean that some people with high pensions or savings would not receive any contribution towards their  Personal Budget from us. For example anyone with more than £23,000 in savings will be expected to pay for their services for themselves until their savings drop below £23,000. The examples at the end of this paper show how our contributions will be affected by people’s incomes.

No one will have to pay more than £120 a week towards their services until at least April 2011 however large their income. These proposals are major changes to the way we will charge for services and we feel it is important to phase them in.

Why is the Council suggesting a limit of £23,000?

People who have savings of £23,000 or more currently pay for the full cost of their residential care if they decide to go into a home. This figure is set nationally by the Government. The Council is proposing to have the same savings threshold for people who receive services in the community so the two charging policies are consistent.

What will happen if I transfer from home care and ask for a payment to buy my own care?

No one will be worse off if they transfer from paying for our services to receiving a contribution towards their Personal Budget up to 2011.

I pay for Council meals. How am I affected?

The Council is proposing to charge £3 a day from 2010. Under the new system, we expect you to pay these charges as they are similar to the day to day charges you would pay for meals.

I pay the Council for transport. How am I affected?

The council is proposing to charge £4 a day for transport. Under the new system, we expect you to pay these charges as they are similar to the day to day charges you would pay for getting about. If you have to pay any more than £4 a day then the extra money will be added to your  Personal Budget and you may be eligible for help as described in this letter.

What other changes are you making?

We intend to introduce some administrative changes to clarify and simplify our existing charging and contributions policy.

• If your financial situation is fairly simple, for example if you have an income just made up of Social Security benefits, we will be able to tell you how much we will contribute towards your Personal Budget without lots of form filling. We will be able to tell you over the phone.
• Trusts. We have clarified our rules on how we treat money held in trust.
• If you have two carers you may have to contribute towards the total cost of both carers.

What are the next steps?

The consultation period closes on 31 March. Councillors will look at the feedback and then make a decision at a Cabinet meeting on 28 April.

Independent advocacy

If you would like to discuss these proposals with an independent advocacy organisation please contact,

• Age Concern on 0115 844 0011
• Carers Federation on 0115 962 1776