Meeting the ‘PR’ challenge in adult social

care services: securing ‘Positive

Reform’

Cllr Dr Gareth BarnardVice Chair, LGA Community Wellbeing BoardMonday 20 April 2009

fair funding

National taxation does not fund a free system of care and nor is it funded solely by central government

Councils contribute, on average, 39% (about £5.3bn) to local social care expenditure through council tax. Some councils contribute more than 80%

The social care funding burden on council tax will almost treble from £5.6bn to £16.6bn during 2010 – 2041

We must consider new options for funding ‘the gap’ and be clear on what individuals, local and central government will contribute

We must consider the funding relationship between adult social care and health

fair access

FACS only works to an extent – because central funding is not keeping pace with need, nearly 75% of councils can only afford to provide individual care to people assessed with ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’ need

Councils spend on average £1.63m on care that can be accessed without a formal assessment

We need a single, transferable needs assessment and financial assessment

This needs to be flexed locally; councils have the best knowledge of their budgets, their citizens’ needs and the local infrastructure available to support services

fair minimum standard

Information, advice and advocacy – this would be very helpful for those who do not qualify for council care and support

The service must:

- be clearly communicated- be high quality- be accessible in the wider system, such as at GP surgeries

What more could we include in the universal offer?

- Equipment and adaptations- Reablement services- Services to improve benefits take up

transforming adult social care

• Transformation is not just about personalisation. We must also consider other elements of work including:

• Prevention: preventive ‘upstream’ interventions can delay or avoid the need to admit people to care or nursing homes. And the POPPs work shows that for every £1 spent on services in the community aimed at improving health and wellbeing 73p will be saved on hospital bed days

• Reablement: this can provide significant long-term benefits for individuals particularly in terms of increasing independence at home

• Technology: this has the potential to make a real difference for people who need help with everyday living. Telecare is changing people’s lives; preventing A&E admissions and reducing the cost of care packages for example

conclusion

Tell us what you think by contacting us at:faircare@lga.gov.uk

Thank you