Decision Maker: HMR Integrated Care Partnership Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 29, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Consideration was given to a report that sought agreement to commence consultation on changes to some of the discretionary elements of the Adult Social Care Cash Budget Policy.   Resolved:   1.    That the updates to the Adult Care Cash Budget Policy and the changes to the funding for personal assistants, in line with the consultation plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.   2.    That an update report providing details of the consultation outcomes be submitted to a future meeting of the HMR Integrated Care Partnership Committee.   Reason for decision The Adult Care Cash Budget Policy was developed to provide guidelines and a framework within which cash budgets operate in Adult Social Care directorate, to ensure consistency of experience and processes.  The use of cash budgets had changed over recent years with more people now using the funding to employ their own personal assistant rather than purchasing care from an agency.   Following feedback for users of cash budgets it was felt there was a need to change the way support was funded and provided via a cash budget to improve equity and support people better with their employer responsibilities when they used cash budgets to buy their own care.   Alternatives considered Not to approve the consultation and not to review the current Policy – this option was not recommended as it was considered best practice to regularly review the Cash Budget Policy to ensure it met its legal obligations and the key principles upon which it was based.  The Council’s Adult Care Cash Budget Policy had last been fully reviewed in 2015.