Decision details

Summary of Decision

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Voluntary Sector has approved the standardising of the rate paid to personal assistants through a flat rate direct payment of £18.89 (inclusive of employment costs), at a cost of £1.450m.

Reasons for Decision

The Care and Support (Direct Payments) Regulations 2014 states: “Local authorities must encourage a variety of different providers and different types of services. This is important in order to facilitate an effective open market, driving quality and cost-effectiveness so as to provide genuine choice to meet the range of needs and reasonable preferences of local people who need care and support services, including for people who choose to take direct payments, recognising, for example, the challenges presented in remote rural areas for low volume local services.”

Introducing a higher flat rate will bring the Council in line with other local authorities and should attract a larger personal assistant market which promotes the objective of personalised care. It could maximise options for service users and improve their chances of finding personal assistants who meet their requirements and understand their cultural needs. A more attractive wage could also attract more skilled and experienced personal assistants, which is important for service users with complex health needs and disabilities who require specialised care.