Published: 03 July 2009
Local Authority charging for Non-residential Social Services across Wales
A new proposed Measure outlining changes for greater consistency & fairness in local authority charging for non-residential social services across Wales has been announced by the Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas.
The proposed Measure will also place an obligation on authorities to provide free information about charging.
Where an authority propose to levy a charge they will be required to provide information, in the form of a statement, on the services that are being charged for, the calculation of the charge and how their charges can be reviewed if they wish.
The Deputy Minister also announced her intended initial package of reforms. This First Steps Improvement Package takes into account the views of the stakeholder task & finish group and the independent research that was undertaken last year. It is planned to introduce this from April 2011.
The package will consist of the following:
· to make the existing statutory elements of the Fairer Charging Guidance mandatory. These provide financial safeguards for those on low incomes
· to set out a maximum weekly charge of £50 for all chargeable services received covered by the proposed Measure
· to require authorities to disregard in full the Constant Attendance Allowance and Severe Disablement Allowance in assessments for charges
· to prohibit authorities from charging for the provision of transport to day centres
· to require authorities to introduce a procedure for reviewing charges within a specific timeframe
Gwenda Thomas, Deputy Minister for Social Services said:
“This proposed Measure is our opportunity to put in place a far more consistent charging policy for non-residential social services.
This will mean that the wide inconsistencies that currently exist will be significantly reduced. It will provide a mechanism for establishing a system that is fair and simpler to understand and administer.
It will also provide greater clarity for service users about how their charges are calculated, as well as putting in place procedures to review and check these charges.
I am delighted to announce this intended package of reform and it includes my intention to introduce a £50 per week maximum charge for all the services covered by the Measure.
This will provide a further financial safeguard to ensure that the burden of charges is reduced to some of our most vulnerable people in our society.”
Further information
WAG - Social Care
WAG – Charging for Social Services
Related article: Paying for the care of the Elderly in Wales
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