Agenda item

(Report of the Interim Assistant Director for Adult Social Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing) This report presents for consideration and approval proposals for the implementation of Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, hereafter referred to as the “Act’”, on 1^st April 2015. These proposals will pay particular attention to new eligibility criteria and deferred payments arrangements with the intention of ensuring that the Council is fully compliant with its statutory duties under Part 1 of the Act relating, mainly, to care and support while also addressing the financial aspects of implementation. Cabinet is asked to note a series of changes the Act makes to the statutory responsibilities of the Council and to its delivery of adult social care.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, introduced the report which sought consideration and approval of  proposals for the implementation of Part 1 of the Care Act 2014. Cabinet noted that these proposals paid particular attention to new eligibility criteria and deferred payments arrangementswhich will be needed to ensure that the Council is fully compliant with its statutory duties under Part 1 of the Act. Theses relate, mainly, to care and support whilst also addressing the financial aspects of implementation. Cabinet  was further  asked to note a series of changes made by the Act to the statutory responsibilities of the Council and its delivery of adult social care service. Cabinet was asked to note in particular the proposal that carers would not be charged for the services provided to them by the Council under the Act.

RESOLVED

      i.        That  the proposed use of three Care Act related revenue grants made for 2015/16 as set out in paragraph 5.21of the report be approved;

    ii.        That only the national minimum eligibility threshold for care be adopted;

   iii.        That the proposed Deferred Payments Policy attached at Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

   iv.        That the maximum interest rate allowed on Deferred Payments to off-set the costs to the local authority of making these Payments be agreed;

    v.        To impose a cost neutral administration charge on Deferred Payment Agreements equivalent to the actual set-up, maintenance and wind-up costs of each such Agreement - standard charges are set out in Appendix 2 of the report; 

   vi.        That carers’ services be provided free of charge to reflect the Council’s on-going support for carers and its recognition of the invaluable contribution they make to supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community;

  vii.        That  Haringey’s development of a new assessment and eligibility process which will ensure a fit with the requirements of the Care Act and involve ceasing the use of the current Resource Allocation System (RAS) be approved; and

viii.        That the ‘highlights’ of the Act and their implications as listed and described in Table 1 in the report, be noted.

Alternative options considered

Implementation of the Act is a statutory requirement, but within the margins of discretion allowed the following alternative options have been considered:

a)        Adopting eligibility criteria more generous than the national minimum threshold and levying charges and interest rates on deferred payments less than the allowed maximums: However, these options have unfunded cost implications.

b)        Charging for carers’ services: This option could lead to the breakdown of caring relationships, thereby, imposing significant additional costs on the Council while signalling a lack of support for the efforts of carers. Only three London Boroughs, at the time of writing, are considering charging for carers’ services. In comparison, 15 will not be charging while others are yet to announce their positions on this matter.

Reasons for decision

To ensure the proper implementation of, and compliance with those sections of Part 1 of the Act which come into force on 1^st April 2015.