Important Information for Care Providers

We know many providers have private enquiries or placements in residential and nursing care. Recently, Essex County Council (ECC) has received queries from people and/or their representatives who:

• Are close to the capital threshold of £23,500, or
• Are below the threshold when they arranged a private placement and are now asking about Local Authority funding to continue their placement.

 

Why this matters

People often aren’t aware of the process for moving from a private arrangement to Local Authority support.  We want to make sure providers share the right information at the right time so that choices are sustainable and the person stays in control as much as possible to avoid possible challenge and distress later to adults and/or their representatives.

 

Key points

• ECC must assess needs under the Care Act, but this does not guarantee funding for residential care.
• People should contact ECC 4–6 months before their funds drop below the threshold to request a Care Act assessment.
• If eligible needs are confirmed, ECC will also complete a Financial Assessment to decide if financial support is available.
• How needs are met will be considered at this stage, with a focus on choice and control for the person.
• People can choose a home, but:
• It must meet assessed needs.
• The provider must accept ECC contract terms.
• If the chosen home costs more than the personal budget (this is the amount the Local Authority calculates is necessary to meet a persons needs), a third-party top-up is required for as long as the placement lasts.
• If top-up arrangements fail, the person may need to move to a suitable alternative within budget.

 

Advice and resources

• ECC Guide to Adult Social Care: https://www.essex.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-09/Guide-to-adult-social-care-2023.pdf
• https://www.essex.gov.uk/care-contribution-calculator
• https://www.essex.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/paying-care-and-support
• Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602 (8am–7pm, 365 days/year)
• ECC Adult Social Care:
• Phone: 0345 603 7630
• Mon–Thu: 8:45am–5pm | Fri: 8:45am–4:30pm
• Email: socialcaredirect@essex.gov.uk

 

More on eligibility: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/care/paying-for-care/paying-for-a-care-home/

 

Provider responsibilities

• Check financial viability: ECC recommends at least 2 years of funding, including fee increases.
• Explain at the point a person moves in to a home on a private arrangement:
• ECC will not agree to pay until assessments are complete and eligibility for Local Authority support has been determined.
• To remind people / their representatives, that if the home chosen is more than the personal budget, and a top-up (third party or first party) is not possible, the person may need to move to an alternative home.

 

Why this matters

 

Sharing this information upfront helps avoid:

• Unexpected costs or non-payment
• Emergency moves when funds run out
• Complaints and distress for people and families

 

Our aim is to support informed decisions that keep the person in control of their lives and in a position to make sustainable choices sustainable.

 

Questions? Contact: IRN.ProjectTeam@essex.gov.uk

More info: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/