Price hike 'will deter home care service users'

Rotherham Borough Council has confirmed rises of up to 12 per cent for some services, with day care and assisted bathing to cost £13.90 an hour from October—an increase of more than £1.

The maximum weekly charge will be set at £230, up from £200.

The move is another step towards balancing the books as the council needs to save £30 million from its budget.

But bosses claim that the majority of social care users will not see their charges rise because of the way the scheme is means tested.

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One in four responded to consultation and council minutes say “the majority” agreed that it was fair to ask them to pay more.

But it was noted that there may be an “initial drop-off” as service users were also faced with paying more for food and fuel.

Anyone who decides to turn down a service following the increase in charges will have their case reviewed to ensure they receive the correct benefits.

A council spokesman said: “We proposed an increase in charges as part of its budget setting processes for the year 2011/12.

“We consulted with all of our customers who receive social care services and the decision making process took account of the views of our customers.

“We recognise that nobody wants to see an increase in their charges, but many of our customers have recognised that they are necessary in the current financial climate.”

Management and back office costs have been squeezed to minimise this impact on frontline services for Rotherham’s most vulnerable, the council say.

The spokesman said: “The council has worked hard this year to reduce management and back office costs so as to minimise the impact on front line services and ensure that we continue to provide good quality services to the most vulnerable people.

“The charge increases, which will take effect from October 2011, are equal to an annual increase ranging from four to 12 per cent.

“These charges continue to be based on ability to pay and the majority of people will not see an increase in their charges.

“The increase in charges is part of the council’s overall plans to meet this year’s budget shortfall and to enable the council to continue to provide good quality social care services to the growing number of vulnerable people.

“We would like to thank our customers for their frank and honest views.”