Posted on Friday 25th February 2011
Over the last 18 months, the county council has been looking at how we can effectively meet the challenge of how to sustainably fund social care and health services in line with the increasing growth in demand.
It is estimated that the number of people aged over 65 will increase by 45% by 2025 in Staffordshire. The increase in over 65s living with a disability will rise by 93% and those with dementia by 69%. The number of younger adults with disabilities will also increase.
The new policy will both meet the future needs of the people of Staffordshire and be fair to council tax payers at the same time. This policy, which will set out how much people receiving care services should contribute towards the cost of care has been extensively consulted on across the county.
Matthew Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Wellbeing, explains: "We need to be absolutely clear; this new policy is not about making up for budget cuts, it is about making sure we are able to meet the future needs of the people of Staffordshire and at the same time are fair to council tax payers. It allows us to focus our resources on those who need it most."
"Staffordshire is one of the very few authorities which has not reduced the budget for Adult Social Care but doing nothing is not an option. The county council has to develop sustainably funded social care in the face of growing demand because of the pressures of an ageing population without significant tax increases for council tax payers. Any contributions paid will be reinvested into social care services to help meet future growing demand. This is in addition to maintaining adult social care budgets."
The new policy will have a three year transition period in place to limit the impact on existing services users. People will not be charged more than they can reasonably afford under national means testing criteria.
County Councillor Ellis continued: "We extensively consulted about this - people's views have directly helped to shape the policy and resulted in additional policy development work being undertaken in response"
The policy will see an increase from 6 weeks up to 12 weeks free reablement care to help people get back to their normal after a health crisis or injury.
Recommendations are also being made to Cabinet to undertake further work to look at two significant areas on the back of the consultation - the difference in care needs, availability and cost of services in rural areas compared to urban ones and the possibility of raising the capital savings limit threshold.
The new policy will come into effect from 1 June 2011. Everyone's individual circumstances will be taken into account including any disability and the county council will work with individuals over coming months on their social care needs and financial contributions. An appeals process will be available in the event of exceptional or abnormal personal circumstances.