The biggest change to Adult Social Care in over 60 years takes effect next month. From April, the Care Act 2015 will introduce important changes to the way social care services are delivered. It aims to bring together existing legislation and duties into a single law which will focus on putting people at the heart of the social care system

What does this mean in lay terms?

In essence the new law will focus on two principles: promoting wellbeing and preventing delays to people who need social care.

How will the Care Act be implemented?

New duties will be placed on local authorities to make local decisions on:

  • a borough specific deferred payments scheme
  • developing and designing prevention support
  • delivering information, advice and advocacy
  • confirming the eligibility criteria to receive state-funded support
  • the best way to support carers

What do we know so far about Barnet Council’s intentions?

On 12 January 2015 CommUNITY Barnet’s Healthwatch Barnet Team organised a public meeting with Barnet Council’s Adults and Communities Team to discuss the implications of the Care Act. Fifty-four local residents attended to hear Mathew Kendall, the newly appointed Adults and Communities Director, explain the financial considerations and the importance of integration with care homes. He also gave assurance about safeguarding and the provision of adequate information and advice. Mathew then took questions from the floor for almost an hour. Local Barnet residents and representatives from care homes stressed that communication and integration with social care was essential to make the system run effectively.

Universal Deferred Payment Scheme

People will not have to sell their house in their lifetime to cover the cost of residential care. Barnet Council will offer deferred payments to people who meet their eligibility criteria.

Prevention Support

Barnet Council is planning to make preventative support easily accessible and available when people need it to help them to remain independent for as long as possible. For example – a home from hospital support service would help people being discharged from hospital by arranging for someone to ensure there are some essential supplies available for people when they return home.

Information, Advocacy and Advice

Being able to make informed decisions about a bewildering care system has to be the only way forward for people who need to access social care services. Barnet’s voluntary, community and charitable sector is well placed to provide this service. At the moment there are a number of agencies already providing this – many form part of the Healthwatch Consortium. You can find out more about them by visiting our Healthwatch Barnet website.

Eligibility

Barnet Council currently provides support for people who have critical and substantial needs, but not for people whose social care needs fall in the low or moderate bands. This position will not change in the future – hence the council’s desire to promote wellbeing and encourage more people to look after themselves so that their care needs do not increase over time.

Supporting Carers

We all know the vital role played by Barnet’s 6000 registered carers. CommUNITY Barnet welcomes the fact that for the first time carers will be recognised in the same way as the people who care for them. They will have rights to assessment, eligibility, support planning and personal budgets.

Will you be affected by these changes?

Do you have a story you would like to share about using local social care services?

What would help you to make more informed decisions about social care services?

We would like to hear from you, so please post your comments.

If you want to find out more about the Care Act 2015 please click here.