Proposals to increase finding to independent care providers (12th March)

Independent care homes and home care agencies caring for people at home could see an increase in funding if proposals are agreed by Derbyshire County Council.

On Thursday 12th March, the council’s Cabinet will be asked to agree to increase the fees it pays to cover the costs of people under its care living in independent sector care and nursing homes and specialist care homes by 3.8%.

Fees paid to independent sector care services are reviewed annually and regular meetings are held with representatives of local care homes and home care agencies.

When considering the increases in care home fees, the county council has taken inflationary pressures into account, including the:

• Rise in the National Living Wage by 4.1%
• Changes in the rules on Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) which means employers pay SSP from day one of any illness, instead of from day four
• Rising costs

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult care Councillor Joss Barnes said: “Supporting older and disabled people is one of our highest priorities and we are absolutely committed to maintaining and developing quality residential and home care in Derbyshire.

“There’s a good quality care home market in the county with 78% rated Good or Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

“We have a legal duty to ensure the care home and home care sector is sustainable and effective and we work closely with providers in the private, voluntary and independent sector to ensure it is.”

Councillor Barnes met with representatives of care home providers to discuss the proposals in advance of the authority proposing the rise in the fees it pays.

Councillor Barnes said: “The council continues to face significant financial challenges, in both cost and demand pressures on its services, particularly in children’s services and adult care.

“We have a legal duty to ensure there is a sufficient and sustainable care home and home care market in Derbyshire while also balancing the books.”

On Thursday 12th March, Cabinet will also consider a rise of 3.7% for the fees it pays providers to look after Derbyshire residents at home.

The county council currently works with more than 90 accredited home care providers with 87% being judged Good or Outstanding by the CQC.