Fair Cost of Care – we need your participation!
Background
The Local Government Financial Settlement on 16 December set out additional funding available for councils to support reform and “move towards paying providers a fair cost of care“.
Devon County Council is required to meet the Conditions for access to Fair Cost of Care funding for our area. We must submit a return to the Department of Health & Social Care HSC by 30 September 2022 that includes Cost of care exercise results for Residential and Nursing Care for people aged 65+ and Home Care for people aged 18+, and we have local discretion on whether to use this approach for other markets.
The Cost of Care exercise means we will be surveying local providers to determine a sustainable fee rate and the results need to be comprehensive, accurately reflect local costs and appear in the public domain. There is no prescribed tool for this exercise but we expect to be provided with some national guidance.
Devon County Council is also required to produce a Market Sustainability Plan. This is a three year (2022-25) strategic plan on how councils will meet local need which should consider current challenges and future circumstances, new models of care, existing fees, the cost of care exercise and the move to sustainable fee rates.
Your participation
Devon County Council is committed to getting this right for Devon as it will impact people who access services, independent providers and the social care workforce. We need your help to achieve this.
We are setting up a Provider Steering Group for all Markets and we are looking for volunteers from the care home sector, personal care sector, unregulated and supported living sectors. If you are keen to be part of this then please email us by close of play on Friday 27 May. We hope to have an initial meeting on Tuesday 31 May – but this is a flexible date and we will confirm exact arrangements nearer the time.
We also hope to establish task and finish groups on specific issues so there will be plenty of opportunities to engage not only in the Fair Cost of Care exercise itself, but also in the planning and outcomes.
To express interest, please email socialcarebusinessrelations-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Further information
The ‘People at the Heart of Care’ adult social care reform White Paper includes information on funded proposals the Government will implement over the next three years:
The Government has published this Policy on Market Sustainability and the Fair Cost of Care Fund:
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