Decision details

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council seeking approval of a new Adult Social Care Charging Policy for Apr 2024.

(i)  That the Cabinet review and approve the new Adult Social Care charging policy for April 2024, as attached at appendix 1.

(ii)  To note the eight proposed changes to the policy as listed in the report.

(iii)  Following consultation with the Leader of the Council, that the Executive Director for Wellbeing and Housing be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the policy as appropriate.

1.  The Adult Social Care charging policy was last amended in 2019 and is due for revision. Having an effective charging policy is a key requirement for both Care Act 2014 compliance and CQC inspection readiness.

2.  A complete review of our charging practices has highlighted areas where the existing policy is out of date, unclear, impractical to operate or out of step with other Local Authorities.

3.  The policy needs to allow annual increases in charges and explain how this is done. The proposed ASC charging policy has been designed to align with the general approach to Southampton City Council (“SCC”) fees and charges.

4.  A moderate increase in income from charges is anticipated if the proposed policy is approved. The extent of this increase depends on the future uptake by customers of the disability-related expenses option.

1.  For all 8 changes, leaving the existing policy unchanged was an option. The “Reasons for Report Recommendations” section above explains why that option was rejected.

2.  Change 4: Charging for non-residential care at actual cost:

Alternative proposals were:

a)  Staying with average charging. Rejected because this means we subsidise care for people not eligible for funding support.

b)  Actual cost with a cap. Rejected because we would continue to subsidise the most expensive care for people not eligible for funding support, using the means test. Of the other Charging Policies reviewed, only Blackpool and Essex mention a charge cap.