Agenda item

[To present the annual review of fees for adult social care and support providers with recommendations for approval of fee uplift]

1.      That the proposed increase in fee levels for 2022-2023 as recommended in the report to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) and where applicable increases to sustain the care market be approved.

 

2.      That any increase in fees be with effect from 4 April 2022. (This date is aligned to charging processes and the capability of the current payment system and that due to current IT payment systems – rates for care homes need to be divisible by 7 and for hourly rates by 4).

 

Type of provision	Recommendation	% Increase	Current £	Proposed £
Home Care	Increase fee levels to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage and other costs *	6.3%	15.84 (Hourly rate)	16.84*
Home Care – rapid response /reablement	That the rate remains at the level funded in the mid-year increase. This rate is higher than the standard home care rate to incentivise providers to move people from hospital settings quickly.	3.2%	17.44 (Hourly rate)	18.00
Home Based Respite	Home base respite is aligned to the supported living rate. *	6.3%	15.12 (Hourly rate)	16.08
Direct Payments Agency rate	Direct payment agency rate is aligned to the supported living	6.3%	15.12  (Hourly rate)	16.08
Direct Payments for Personal Assistants – Employed	Direct payment PA employed rate to receive the % increase that Home Care and Supported Living receives with the note that each PA’s costs are individually calculated to ensure the payment covers employment costs and the proposed rate is the maximum amount.	6.3%	10.76 (Hourly rate)	11.44
Direct Payments of Personal Assistants – Self-Employed	This is a new rate to be introduced in 2022 to enable self-employed personal assistants to support people	N/A	N/A	14.03
Residential Care for Older People	Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.	5%	468.65 (Weekly rate)	492.10
Residential Care for Older People with Dementia Support	Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.	5%	503.86 (Weekly rate)	529.06
Nursing Care for Older People	Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.	10%	468.65 (Weekly rate)	515.55
Nursing Care for Older People with Dementia	Increase to meet NLW increases, on costs and to maintain market sufficiency.	10%	503.86 (Weekly rate)	554.26
Extra Care	Increase each contract to reflect inflationary rise	3%	Increase to all contracts	N/A block amount
Supported Living	Increase fee levels to meet the additional costs (employee and employer cost) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage. *	6.3%	15.12 (Hourly rate)	16.08
Nursing and Residential Care for people under 65 years old	Increase fees of placements to reflect inflationary rise	3%	Increase to all contract totals
Community Activities for Older People	Increase fees to enable sufficiency, with intention to review the provision in 2022	10%	27.90 sessional rate	30.69
Community Opportunities for Adults with Complex Needs	Ensure that the rate is consistent with the supported living rate and proportionate to 1:1 1:2 1:3 staffing ratios	6.3%	15.12 per hour for 1:1 staffing  7.56 per hour for 1:2 staffing   5.04 per hour for 1:3 staffing	16.08 per hour for 1:1 staffing  8.04 per hour for 1:2 staffing   5.36 per hour for 1:3 staffing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Except where the provider has tendered below the current rate, in this case it will be uplifted proportionately. Note that ISF’s (Individual service funds) are aligned to the rate of the care type.

 

3.      That it be noted that engagement had been undertaken with current care and support providers as part of the fee review to listen to feedback and inform the recommendations in the report, however due to current financial restraints the recommendations are not solely based on provider requests.

 

4.      That it be noted that during 2022 the activity to implement the requirements of the Health and Social Care Bill and the Government policy paper; Market Sustainability and Fair Cost of Care Fund: purpose and conditions 2022 to 2023; is undertaken and would inform the fee review for 2023-2024. Further details are in Appendix 1: Legislation and Government Policy which impacts on the 2023 - 2024 Fee Review.

 

5.      That it be noted that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had changed the usual demand and take up of care services. The long-term impact of COVID-19 cannot be predicted, and the Adults Commissioning Team would continuously review sufficiency within the market.

 

6.      That it be noted that the Adults Commissioning Team continuously works with providers in developing the social care market to ensure a shared approach between the Council and social care providers to meet resident’s needs.

 

7.      That it be noted that this report was presented to Adults and Safer City Scrutiny Panel on 15 February 2022.  The Panel supported the details and recommendations within the report and agreed to receive an update at a future meeting.

 

 

 

Councillor Linda Leach presented the report on a proposed increase in fee levels for care and support service areas and direct payment cost rates to meet additional costs resulting from increases to the National Living Wage and to sustain the care market in Wolverhampton.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed increase in fee levels for 2022-2023 as recommended in the report to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) and where applicable increases to sustain the care market be approved.

 

2.    That any increase in fees be with effect from 4 April 2022. (This date is aligned to charging processes and the capability of the current payment system and that due to current IT payment systems – rates for care homes need to be divisible by 7 and for hourly rates by 4).

 

3.    That it be noted that engagement had been undertaken with current care and support providers as part of the fee review to listen to feedback and inform the recommendations in the report, however due to current financial restraints the recommendations are not solely based on provider requests.

 

4.    That it be noted that during 2022 the activity to implement the requirements of the Health and Social Care Bill and the Government policy paper; Market Sustainability and Fair Cost of Care Fund: purpose and conditions 2022 to 2023; is undertaken and would inform the fee review for 2023-2024. Further details are in Appendix 1 to the report ‘Legislation and Government Policy which impacts on the 2023 - 2024 Fee Review’.

 

5.    That it be noted that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had changed the usual demand and take up of care services. The long-term impact of COVID-19 cannot be predicted, and the Adults Commissioning Team would continuously review sufficiency within the market.

 

6.    That it be noted that the Adults Commissioning Team continuously works with providers in developing the social care market to ensure a shared approach between the Council and social care providers to meet resident’s needs.

 

7.    That it be noted that this report was presented to Adults and Safer City Scrutiny Panel on 15 February 2022.  The Panel supported the details and recommendations within the report and agreed to receive an update at a future meeting.