Archived decisions

Summary of the County Council's response to the Green Paper

`Shaping the Future of Care Together'

1.1 Hampshire County Council welcomes the opportunity to give its views on the complex and very challenging issues and options set out in the Government's Green Paper. These issues have been debated in considerable depth, with much user and carer and political engagement, within Hampshire over the last 18 months, through Hampshire's Commission of Inquiry into Personalisation.

1.2 Hampshire has a higher than average proportion of older residents and is seen as an attractive place to retire, which places extremely significant financial and demographic pressures on the County Council to meet the needs of its ageing population. Issues around Ordinary Residence are of particular concern, since many other authorities place service users `out of County' in Hampshire, with considerable additional impact on our resources.

1.3 Hampshire County Council is very supportive of the concept of a national assessment process for adults in need of care and support and fully appreciates the value of clear and consistent criteria across English local authorities. However, we remain firmly in favour of retaining responsibility at local level for both the planning and funding of social care.

1.4 The concept of a `National Care Service', whereas it may on face value have an appeal for citizens, is unhelpful as are comparisons with the National Health Service, since the latter does not provide a personalised service to individuals, but is financed on the basis of funds transferring to local health bodies to meet the needs of populations, not individuals. We know from our work with service users and carers that they place a high value on choice, control and a personalised service. It is hard to see how a nationally organised funding system could allow the freedom and flexibility that we aspire to offer to Hampshire residents in need of care and support. For this reason, we wholly support the part-national part-local funding option set out in the Green Paper.

1.5 As regards the three options put forward for funding the care system, Hampshire County Council does not believe the Insurance Model is practical, since many will not voluntarily choose to take out insurance. As set out in section 4.7 and 4.8 of the full response, the Partnership Model does have some benefits. If this model were to be chosen, we would strongly encourage the Government to consider increasing the level of capital which is disregarded for assessment purposes for residential care from £23,000 to £50,000. On balance, however, Hampshire County Council would support the Comprehensive Model, since it provides greater social justice for the whole community and those who can contribute to the costs of care would do so on an equitable basis. It could also work within existing local authority funding mechanisms.

1.6 Hampshire County Council notes the recent policy announcements by both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, on measures that could be implemented by each party after the General Election 2010; namely the Conservative Party's proposed `home protection scheme' involving a one-of voluntary payment of around £8,000 in return for a guarantee that all residential care fees would be waived for life, and the Labour Party's commitment to provide free home care for those with critical needs.

1.7 There are merits in both proposals, particularly if they were part of a wider set of reforms. However, both contain risks. One might encourage a greater take up of residential care, contrary to the current policy aim, and the other may be inflationary, causing a drift in eligibility assessments and a new eligibility cliff-edge.

1.8 The Green Paper rightly asserts the importance of informal and family carers. It is probably the most important issue in the economic viability of the care system. However, there is a failure to recognise that a significant proportion of carers are older people, caring for older parents, partners and disabled children. They are significantly disadvantaged financially, particularly later in life. Financial assistance schemes for carers need to be simplified and more customer friendly to improve take up. The age discrimination in the Carers' Allowance is not addressed in the Green Paper, and we believe that this should be addressed as a matter of urgency.

1.9 Equally, Hampshire County Council is disappointed to see relatively little consideration given to the needs of younger adults with care and support needs and would welcome more detail on how the proposed funding options would affect these users.

1.10 In conclusion, and regardless of the quantum of resources directed towards social care in the future, what is fundamental to achieving better outcomes for users and carers is the successful transformation of services through personalisation, which remains the focus of our Hampshire Model Transformation programme.