Gloucestershire County Council is inviting residents to find out more about proposed changes to its adult social care fairer contributions policy at local drop-in sessions.
Adult Social Care services are paid for by the county council with contributions from the individuals it supports. People can be charged for their care and asked to make a contribution in line with their financial circumstances.
The council wants to make sure its fairer contributions policy is clear, accessible, and fair, to support individuals with choice and control over their care. Following a public engagement in 2023, the council reviewed its fairer contributions policy and is proposing changes which include:
- increasing the Minimum Income Guarantee (either for everyone or for some), and a change to the Disability Related Expenditure process, which may allow some people to keep more of their income
- a change to how the council charges for short break and respite care and
- the introduction of an admin fee for people who pay the full cost of their care, but wish the council to arrange care and support services on their behalf.
Residents are invited to find out more at drop-in information sessions:
- Tuesday 2 April 2024 – The One Gloucestershire information bus will be at the Cross in Gloucester between 10am and 3pm
- Wednesday 10 April 2024 – The One Gloucestershire information bus will be at the Market Place in Cirencester between 10am and 3pm
- Thursday 11 April 2024 – There will be an information stand in the atrium at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital between 10am and 3pm
- Friday 12 April 2024 – The One Gloucestershire information bus will be at the High Street in Cheltenham between 10am and 3pm
The County Council will be arranging further events across the county and details of these sessions will be shared on social media, and on the consultation webpage which has been recently updated to include an additional factsheet which shows how changes to the Minimum Income Guarantee could affect individuals.
Everyone is encouraged to have their say, whether they currently pay for their care or may do so in the future, to make sure that it works for people now and for years to come.
People can share their views by taking part in an online survey and by attending the drop-in sessions or focus groups. To find out more and to have your say, visit the survey at http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/fairer-contributions-policy
The consultation will end on 6 May 2024.
There will be no changes to the fairer contributions policy, and therefore no changes to how residents are assessed to pay for their care, until the public consultation has concluded, and all feedback has been considered.
Cllr Stephan Fifield, cabinet member for adult social care delivery at Gloucestershire County Council said: “The aim of the consultation is to ensure the council has a fairer contributions policy that considers the views and needs of people who are affected by it, both now and in years to come.
“We are proposing changes to support individuals with choice and control over their care. These include increasing the minimum income guarantee, and a change to the disability related expenses process, which may allow some people to keep more of their money.
“I would encourage residents to come along to one of the drop-in sessions to find out more, and make sure their views are captured by completing the survey.”