As part of the government’s adult social care reform agenda, we need to complete a cost of care exercise. The aim of this is to reach a shared understanding with providers of the local cost of providing care.
We also need to publish a market sustainability plan about how we plan to move towards a fair cost of care (where this is not already being paid) over the next three years.
To take part in this exercise, we needed to identify the costs in the local area for the following care categories:
This exercise, and the funds being made available to local authorities, are designed to support:
For the purposes of the exercise the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) consider ‘fair’ to mean
The government recognise the complexity of local care markets, and the risk of oversimplification. However, it is necessary to find a way of standardising cost reporting. The median is designed to reflect that there are a range of local costs.
Funding for 2022 to 2023 has been given out using the adult social care relative needs formula. This is the formula used for the Social Care Grant and Improved Better Care Fund.
On Friday 14 October 2022 we had to submit the following to the Department of Health and Social Care:
On Wednesday 1 February 2023 we were required to publish the cost of care exercises for 65+ care homes and 18+ domiciliary care.
On Monday 27 March 2023 we had to publish our final market sustainability plan. This plan outlined how we, over a period of time and depending on government funding being available, will move towards a fair cost of care for providers delivering services to people aged 65 and over and for domiciliary care.
If you fund your own care, the rates you agree are with the care provider. If you are unable to arrange your own care, we have a Care Navigation service that can help you to arrange your care and support. Contact Care Connect on 01275 888 801 Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.
There will be no change if you are funded, or part funded by us.
If you are eligible for funding support, we could pay some or most of the fees - this will not change.
We will carry out a care needs assessment. If this shows you need care in a care home, we will carry out a means test to work out whether you qualify for help with the cost. This will look at your income and capital.
The government has announced a delay in introducing a cap on care costs and this has been postponed until at least 2025.