Adult Social Care Charging  Consultation

Purpose of the consultation

Cheshire East Council is seeking your views on several proposed changes to its Adult Social Care charging policy.

The aim is to review the way contributions are calculated in line with national guidance and update rates and fees to reflect the cost of current care prices.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks, starting on 30 October 2023 and closing on 21 January 2024.

All consultation feedback will be considered by the council before being incorporated into the new charging policy, which will then be taken to Adults and Health Committee in 2024 for consideration and final approval. The new policy will also incorporate a refresh of wording to ensure the policy reflects updated legislation and practice.

Changes to charges for social care services

If any changes to Adult Social Care charges are put in place as an outcome of this consultation, those affected will have a new financial assessment and will be notified of any change to their charges.

The proposed policy changes

The council is proposing the changes to its Adult Social Care charging policy as detailed below. You can view more detail about each of the proposed changes, and give your feedback on them, by clicking the links below:

• Care at Home charges - Proposal to increase the amount people are charged for Care at home services
• Extra Care Housing charges, including a Monitoring and Response charge - Proposal to increase the amount people are charged for care in Extra Care housing
• Income Disregards, non-residential - Proposal to change how Income Disregards are calculated, this proposal will affect most people
• Interim charging - Proposal to implement interim charging
• Charges for residential and nursing care - Proposal to amend the standard charge for residential and nursing care
• Telecare Assistive Technology - Proposal to increase the charge for Telecare Services
• Full cost fee payer - Proposal to introduce a one-off arrangement fee and to increase the flat rate for full cost payers
• Money Management Administration Charges - Proposal to increase the weekly admin charge for the Money Management service
• Other changes to the Adult Social Care Charging Policy - Proposals to introduce an annual fee review and a policy review

Consultation events

As part of this consultation, the council will also be holding the below events, which are open to anyone to attend who wishes to discuss these proposals:

• Thursday 16 November 2023 1pm to 4.30pm (Drop in for 30-minute slots) – R1 and R2, Ground Floor, Westfields, Sandbach CW11 1HZ
• Wednesday 29 November 2023 9am to 13.00pm – Chamber, Old Town Hall, Macclesfield SK10 1EA
• Thursday 30 November 2023 9am to 13.00pm – Chamber, Municipal Buildings, Crewe CW1 2BJ
• Monday 04 December 2023 10am to 12pm – Oakmere, Spath Lane, Handforth SK9 3NS
• Tuesday 05 December 2023 10am to 12pm – Heath View, Heath Road, Congleton CW12 4BB
• Wednesday 06 December 2023 10am to 12pm – Mill House, Queens Drive, Nantwich CW5 5BX
• Friday 08 December 2023 10am to 12pm – Willowmere, East Road, Middlewich CW10 9HW

Each event will include a short introduction and overview of the consultation proposals shortly after the start time. Once your place is booked you are welcome to drop into the events any time between the start and close – please be mindful to allow sufficient time before the event finishes to provide feedback and ask any questions.  

The events will provide several stations, each specific to one or more of the proposed changes and respective questionnaires. You will have the opportunity to discuss the proposed change at each station and move around to give feedback on more than one change as you wish.

To book your place and to tell us about any special requirements for the event please contact Social Care Business Support and Finance:

• Email ChargingConsultation@cheshireeast.gov.uk.
• Telephone 0300 123 51 02 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

Consultation packs

If you would like to receive a consultation pack containing all the above information and feedback questionnaires in paper format, please email RandC@cheshireeast.gov.uk or call 0300 123 55 00.

Further information

If you have any queries about this consultation, or would like to receive the material in a different format, please contact Social Care Business Support and Finance:

• Email: ChargingConsultation@cheshireeast.gov.uk
• Telephone: 0300 123 5102 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

Page last reviewed: 26 October 2023