Care service users face higher bills as council charges revised

More than 4,000 people in Sheffield rely on council services to stay in their own homes and it is estimated that around 20 per cent of those people could pay more.

Council chiefs said the decision to revise its charges was not related to Government cuts and was drawn up after previous Westminster guidance.

Social workers ran a consultation process with people who use services which revealed many were worried about the possibility of having to contribute extra for care.

People will now be subject to an "individual financial assessment", or a form of means-testing, in order to allow council accountants to decide if they must pay more.

Sheffield Council's interim director of adult services Eddie Sherwood said the proposals were discussed by the city's Fairer Contributions Commission last week.

He said: "We listened to what people said, so we will ensure through an individual financial assessment that nobody is asked to contribute more than they are able to pay.

"This planned new way of working will be fairer because everyone will be treated the same and we will base the amount people pay on their individual ability to contribute.

"For the people who see their contributions increase, we are proposing a transitional period of protection, so nobody would start contributing more than an additional 10 a week."

Mr Sherwood said the new system had been called Fairer Contributions and added that people who receive home support would be contacted directly about the new scheme.

Staff will tell those affected how the potential changes will impact on services such as home support, day services, transport support and the employment of personal assistants.

Under Government guidance issued before the general election, councils were told to give people needing care a "personal budget" to spend on services they need.

Some people will not make any contribution to their personal budget, while those who are deemed to have enough cash will be asked to make up part of it based on their means.

Sheffield Council's Cabinet member for adult care, Steve Ayris, said many people would see no change and some would pay less – but admitted others would have to pay more.

He added: "Firstly the council is clear that this new way of working is something the previous government required us to do and is not being introduced because of reductions in our budget over the coming years.

"The changes are aimed at minimising the bureaucracy and complexity for people. It should enable people to work out their social care and support whilst being clear on whether, and by how much, they will need to contribute towards the cost.

"It is aimed at being much fairer, because everyone will be treated in the same way, whether someone has a physical disability, learning disability or mental health need.

"We are writing to all users who receive support to invite them to have their say on the recommendations that have come out of the consultation.

"I would urge them to tell us what they think so that we can consider everyone's opinion before any decision is made on the way forward."

Sheffield Council said funding for people in nursing and residential homes will not be affected under the Fairer Contributions scheme.

The changes still have to be approved by Sheffield Council's ruling cabinet at its meeting in September.