Cost of Care: Devon provider engagement
Posted: 25/05/2022
Background
The Local Government Financial Settlement on 16 December set out additional funding available for councils to support reform and “move towards paying providers a fair cost of care“.
Devon County Council is required to meet the Conditions for access to Fair Cost of Care funding for our area. We must submit a return to the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) by 14 October 2022 that includes Cost of Care exercise results for Residential and Nursing Care for people aged 65+ and Home Care for people aged 18+, and we have local discretion on whether to use this approach for other markets.
The Cost of Care exercise means we are surveying local providers to determine a sustainable fee rate and the results need to be comprehensive, accurately reflect local costs and appear in the public domain. We are using the Home Care Cost of Care Toolkit provided by ARCC-HR Ltd and the Care Cubed toolkit provided by iESE for care homes.
Devon County Council is also required to produce a Market Sustainability Plan. This is a three year (2022-25) strategic plan on how councils will meet local need which should consider current challenges and future circumstances, new models of care, existing fees, the cost of care exercise and the move to sustainable fee rates.
Provider participation
Devon County Council is committed to getting this right for Devon as it will impact people who access services, independent providers and the social care workforce.
We have established a Provider Steering Group for all Markets and Task & Finish Groups for care homes and domiciliary care.
Please note that the deadline for submission of all Cost of Care returns is 31 July 2022.
Online sources of support
Background and policy
The ‘People at the Heart of Care’ adult social care reform White Paper includes information on funded proposals the Government will implement over the next three years.
The Government has published this Policy on Market Sustainability and the Fair Cost of Care Fund.
The County Council Network (CCN) has published a preparing for reform report.
The Local Government Association’s Care and Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) have also produced ‘Fair Cost of Care: update support and guidance’
Here are Cost of Care background slides which were shared at the Steering Group and Task and Finish group.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), CHIP and the Care Providers Association are also working together to produce detailed FAQs and practical implementation guidance, to be shared soon.
Domiciliary care
Here is the ARCC-HR Ltd Cost of Care Toolkit for domiciliary care produced in partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA) for domiciliary care.
ARCC-HR Ltd have produced a Cost of Care Toolkit Support website which includes regularly updated FAQs and videos.
Provider support email to ARCC-HR Ltd support@costofcaretoolkit.co.uk
YouTube video of workshop and discussion for domiciliary care providers by CoProduce care community interest company.
Care homes
Here is iESE’s Care Cubed Cost of Care Toolkit for care homes. iESE have also produced a Cost of Care awareness pack including guidance and useful videos.
YouTube video by iESE on How-To Data Entry Video for Care Providers – Fair Cost of Care Tool – YouTube.
If you have a question on the Cost of Care tool please contact carecubed@iese.org.uk.
Other useful email addresses
Managed by Department of Health and Social Care, for clarification about the policy, guidance or funding conditions marketsreform@dhsc.gov.uk
Managed by Care Provider Alliance, predominantly for use by care providers colleagues FCC@careprovideralliance.org.uk