1. Care Act 2014 Provider engagement event
Miriam Maddison. Robin Stephenson & Bernard Allen
Cornwall Council
November 2014

2. Objectives Raise awareness of Care Act and its implications
To focus on elements of the Care Act that impact most on providers and other stakeholders
For the Council to understand the potential impacts on providers/stakeholders
To discuss best ways of communicating to people who use our services and their carers

3. Background Covers many aspects of adult care
Significant implications for partner organisations
Brings together 13 pieces of legislation and 13 pieces of instruments
Most fundamental change to care and support in 60 years
Care Act is in two parts

4. Phase 1 & Phase 2 Part 1 of the Act (April 2015):
Wellbeing and safeguarding
Eligibility
Carers’ rights to assessment
Prevention, advocacy, market shaping
Deferred payments
Partnership working
Part 2 of the Act (April 2016):
Care Account
Care Cap
Increased funding thresholds

5. Definition of wellbeing
“Wellbeing” is a broad concept, and it is described as relating to the following areas in particular:
personal dignity (including treatment of the individual with respect);
physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing;
protection from abuse and neglect;
control by the individual over day-to-day life (including over care and support provided and the way it is provided);
participation in work, education, training or recreation;
social and economic wellbeing;
domestic, family and personal;
suitability of living accommodation; and
the individual’s contribution to society.
As per guidance pg. 7–8

6. Priorities for April 2015
Revised eligibility criteria linking in to assessment and support plan process
Carer’s assessment process and support plan
Improving information and advice to help people navigate the system
Deferred payments
Communications to all stakeholders
Specific communications to the general public
Specific communications to people who fully fund their own care

7. Other key areas for 2015/16 Commissioning of prevention
Commissioning of independent advocacy
Commissioning of future accommodation for people who require care
Partnership working
Further improving of information and advice

8. Deferred payments / financial assessments
The Act places a duty on authorities to offer deferred payments for those needing permanent residential care and own their own home.
The council is able to apply an administration fee
The council is able to charge interest (up to a maximum specified by government on a half-yearly basis)
Equity value is: valuation - 10% - £14,250
The council has to offer at least 70% of the equity value as a deferred payment
There will be a charge against the property
The aim is that people would not need to sell their home in their lifetime
Ability to financially assess carers for their support

9. Information and advice
This is another key aspect of the Act, which again focusses on people’s wellbeing and maintaining their independence. It is essential to have a co-ordinated approach across directorates and partners.
Records will need to be maintained that show the information and advice that a person has received.

10. Independent advocacy and prevention
The scope of independent advocacy has now increased to include people who have substantial difficulties in being fully involved in the care and support process and there is no appropriate individual available to support the individual’s wishes.
Prevention is key to people’s wellbeing and reducing the demand on acute services. The guidance highlights the role that the wider community infrastructure and other council services have in providing a local approach to prevention.

11. Managing provider failure
Local authorities must ensure that they have in place procedures for identifying potential failures and how to deal with these, as well as, dealing with actual failure. Local authorities need to ensure that there is continuity of care for all people in receipt of that service regardless of how their care is funded.
This links in to market shaping which will help address potential service interruptions.

12. Market shaping
This section emphasises that authorities need to understand the needs of the population, what services are already in place and shape the market in order to meet the demands of the population.
This includes designing strategies, engaging with providers, users, carers, stakeholders, working with partners ensuring sustainability and choice.

13. Self-funders It is estimated that there are:
1,500 people funding their own care in a residential setting
4,000 people funding their own care in the community
Local authority is expected to take steps to identify those people who may be in need of care and support but have not contacted the local authority. This includes who fund their own care.
This is specifically important in relation to part 2 of the Care Act where people will have care accounts and have a limit to the amount they pay.

14. Carers
The Care Act places greater emphasis on providing assessment and support for carers
There are 63,000 carers in Cornwall
16,000 carers are providing more than 50 hours’ care per week
2,500 carers currently in receipt of support
It is estimated that 4,500 additional carers will require carer’s assessment
It is estimated that 3,500 carers would require a personal budget

15. Communications and engagement
Influencing the way the Care Act is implemented and funded through the government consultation and key MPs.
Preparing for the impact of the Care Act on the Council, providers, partners and other stakeholders.
Supporting the implementation of the changes required locally.
Promoting the information and advice requirements and arrangements for people to access information and advice.

16. Our objectives
Inform people about the progress of the Care Act with communications, engagement and formal consultation.
Ensure key stakeholders are aware of the impact of the Care Act on them.
Make sure there are clear public and media messages in place people’s new rights and obligations.
Support opportunities to raise issues with government as necessary.

17. Timeline Oct 2014: Final regulations and guidance published.
Oct–Dec 2014: Focus on stakeholders and staff.
Jan–March 2015: Public messages. Staff training.
April 2015: Consultation on financial changes to take effect in April 2016.

18. Local Authority & Partner Support
Communications framework
Communications objectives for Phase 1 (April 2015) will be achieved through an agreed combination of locally-driven support and national funded activity:
Local Authority & Partner Support
A toolkit of adaptable materials to enable local authorities and partners to effectively communicate with their local populations:
Key messages (including website content)
Case studies
Template letters
Leaflets and posters for distribution in a wide variety of settings
Briefing materials for local councillors and care-workers
Frequently asked questions
Advertising templates
National Activity
Nationally funded activity to support and supplement location activation:
National and regional PR
National media partnerships
Radio advertising
Digital communications
Targeted direct mail (door drops)

19. Key Consumer Audiences
Key audiences
Key Stakeholder Groups (as channels)
Primary Consumer Audience Segments
Local Authorities
Care Workers
Care Providers
Health Workers
Charities/ Voluntary Sector
Other trusted partners
Key Consumer Audiences
Carers
Users (Self-Funded Residential)
Users (Self-Funded Domiciliary)
Users (State-Funded Residential)
Users (State-Funded Domiciliary)
Users (approaching point of need)

20. Key partners and stakeholders
A wide range of trusted key partners who have an interest and/or key role to play in reaching the consumer targets will be engaged with relevant toolkit materials.
List is only an illustration of a small number of key stakeholders

21. National roll-out Radio advertising Door drops PR & media partnerships
National activity delivered direct to end User and Carer audiences through paid for channels to primarily contact harder to reach audiences (such as carers), and create a positive backdrop upon which local authorities and partners can deliver locally.
Radio advertising
Door drops
PR & media partnerships
Digital communications

22. Information and advice
Must take an active role in the provision of information and advice.
More than just basic information about care and support e.g. finances, health, housing, employment, what to do in cases of abuse and neglect.
Cover the needs of all its population, not just those who are in receipt of local authority funded care and support.

23. Information and advice
Identify people who may benefit from financial information and advice, independent of the local authority.
Provide independent advocacy to facilitate involvement in assessment, planning and review where people experience substantial difficulty in understanding, retaining or using information given or in communicating their views.

24. Navigating the system

25. Thank You
Cornwall Council County Hall Truro TR1 3AY Tel: