Contributions Policy Consultation

This consultation seeks views on proposals that change the way Oxfordshire County Council charges for adult social care services. These services support adults living at home (for example, home care, day care and transport) and in residential care.

Why is the council proposing to change the policy?

We have reviewed the policy and believe we have identified ways of making the policy fairer, clearer and more in line with national guidance. We want to ensure that everyone’s contribution is assessed in the same way through an open, easy-to-understand assessment process. We will ensure that, in line with national guidance, everyone who is entitled, has enough income to meet their living costs and any factors that are specific to individuals are considered.

The consultation will be open from 24 January to 3 April 2018.

The current Contributions Policy is available to view here.

There is also further information about paying for care on the council's website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/payingcare

The proposed changes aim to:

• ensure a fairer and more consistent approach to assessing the financial contributions made by individuals towards the cost of the social care services they receive
• simplify the financial assessment to make this a shorter and less invasive process
• better align the charging arrangements with the guidance on charging in the Care Act 2014
• enable the council to recover the actual cost of providing these services to people in Oxfordshire
• support the financial sustainability of adult social care, ensuring that frontline services for the most vulnerable are protected

Please take the time to read the information about the proposed changes in the consultation summary document. There is greater detail about the proposals contained in the Service and Community Impact Assessment (SCIA) document, which is also available below.

We have also provided some responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which have been raised by people responding to the questionnaire and at the focus group meetings held so far. The FAQs will be updated throughout the consultation period.

We would like to know what you think about the proposals by answering a short questionnaire online. You may wish to print, or keep open, the summary document whilst reading the questionnaire as it contains references to various pages and sections. There is also an Easy Read summary and questionnaire. You can print the questionnaire, fill it in and send back to us using the FREEPOST address provided. Please also include the 'About you' form so that we know we are hearing from a range of people and communities.

If you have questions or need further information, please call the Financial Assessment Team on 01865 896440 (during office hours) or email contributionspolicy@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Focus Group Meetings

The next Focus Group meeting will be held in Didcot on Friday 23rd March from 12noon to 2pm.

We will also be running meetings in Banbury, Didcot and Oxford to provide more information, answer your questions and listen to your views first hand. Details about the meetings can be found in the 'Focus Group Meetings' document below.

Please book your place in advance by emailing contributionspolicy@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by phoning the Engagement Team on 01865 323624 (during office hours). Please leave a message at other times and we will call you back as soon as possible. If you would like to attend one of the meetings but would find it difficult to get there, we may be able to arrange transport on your behalf - please let us know when you call or email.

Thank you for your interest. A summary of the consultation findings will be published here. A final decision on any policy changes is expected to be made towards the end of May 2018.

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This consultation has now closed and the final report is available below