Agenda item

The Department of Health (DH) is consulting on how to implement major reforms to adult social care.  The consultation covers:

·  How to manage the large increase in demand from people who pay for their own care and support; and

·  Major changes to social care practices and systems, including assessment and charging

The proposed reforms have significant implications for the Council and also, for some key partners.  The direct impact will be on care assessment and financial systems but there will be knock-on effects including on market management, information and integration.  This report includes commentary from the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU).  Bath and North East Somerset’s position and any associated specific issues are summarised in the report.

The Board is asked to:

·  Note the key proposals in the Care & Support Bill and early analysis of the implications for Bath and North East Somerset Council and other key partners;

·  Note the establishment of a Task Group to: undertake an initial assessment of financial and policy implications; staff resourcing requirements (implementation and on-going); risk assessment and establish a project plan, including key decisions;

·  Receive a further update in early 2014.

The Chairman invited Jane Shayler (Deputy Director for Adult Care, Health and Housing Strategy and Commissioning) to introduce the report.

The Department of Health (DH) is consulting on how to implement major reforms to adult social care.  The consultation covers:

• How to manage the large increase in demand from people who pay for their own care and support; and
• Major changes to social care practices and systems, including assessment and charging

The proposed reforms have significant implications for the Council and also, for some key partners.  The direct impact will be on care assessment and financial systems but there will be knock-on effects including market management, information and integration.  This report includes commentary from the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU).  Bath and North East Somerset’s position and any associated specific issues are summarised in section 4 of the report.

Jane Shayler invited the Board to:

• Note the key proposals in the Care & Support Bill and early analysis of the implications for Bath and North East Somerset Council and other key partners;
• Note the establishment of a Task Group to: undertake an initial assessment of financial and policy implications; staff resourcing requirements (implementation and on-going); risk assessment and establish a project plan, including key decisions;
• Receive a further update in early 2014.

The Chairman welcomed the report and welcomed the Care and Support Bill.  The Board must be really mindful of the forthcoming initiatives, issues such as Integration Transformation Fund.  The Bill is making things clearer for people.  It is also helpful on carers’ needs and support for self-funders to access the range of information.

Councillor Dine Romero expressed her concern that if there is large number of people that are able to fund themselves then it could lead to inequality across the area.  The bigger question would be if there is a danger that this could lead to the ‘post-code lottery’ types of availability of care.

Jane Shayler responded that there is a possible ‘post-code lottery’ currently in the area.  This is partly because, even though there are national regulations associated with charging of residential care, there is guidance on charging of social care in the community setting which is subject to local interpretation and local policy.  There is also some inconsistency in terms of the charging arrangements.  The Care and Support Bill will introduce the national eligibility threshold for adult social care so it will no longer be subject to local determination.

Jane Shayler added that there is a very rigorous assessment of individual's ability to pay for services.  Whether individuals are able to pay or not for service, they are given information and support and there is a level of ongoing overview of the local authority and those acting on behalf of the local authority to make sure that care needs are being made.  If the individual does not pay, though it is known that they can pay for services, then the risk assessment is undertaken. 

Ashley Ayre commented that the Care and Support Bill is one of the major areas of reform that the Council will have to work with the CCG.  There are a few other legislations, like Special Educational Needs (SEN) reform, Children and Young People, Call To Action and Children Social Care, which will also be part of the partnership work with the CCG.

The Chairman said that the Board should receive a briefing on the SEN reform at one of the future meetings.

Dr Ian Orpen commented that the partnership work between the Council and the CCG is already happening - some Council officers are sharing the office space with the CCG officers on daily basis.

It was RESOLVED to:

1.  Note the key proposals in the Care & Support Bill and early analysis of the implications for Bath and North East Somerset Council and other key partners;

2.  Note the establishment of a Task Group to: undertake an initial assessment of financial and policy implications; staff resourcing requirements (implementation and on-going); risk assessment and establish a project plan, including key decisions;

3.  Receive a further update in early 2014.