Mum's concern over council social care charges

An East Renfrewshire mum has warned that plans for new social care charges could "push disabled people and those relying on social care into poverty".

Tracey Campbell, whose 18-year-old daughter Leia needs 24-hour support, described the proposal to roll-out £20 per hour fees for non-residential social care as "unfair" and "immoral".

The charges, which could come into place from April, would impact more than 1,000 residents, if approved by the council's cabinet on Thursday.

It hopes the charges will raise £1.5m to help plug a £12m gap in East Renfrewshire's health and social care partnership (HSCP) budget.

The charges do not affect personal care or services for children.

Non-residential care includes social supports, charges for meals, day opportunities and community-based services.

Ms Campbell says her daughter, who has Angelman syndrome, relies on trips out and hobbies such as horse riding to avoid social isolation and keep her feeling safe and well.

Leia's condition means she has severe physical and learning disabilities and she receives a self-directed support budget which is “mainly spent on support workers to keep her safe”.

Ms Campbell fears that the new charge will mean her daughter will not be able to pay for hobbies such as horse riding, which she does three times a week, and still be financially independent.

She fears her daughter could become socially isolated and is concerned about the impact these charges could have on her future.

Almost 1,000 people have backed a petition from the Netherlee mum which asks health chiefs in East Renfrewshire to drop the proposed charges.

The petition said: "For my daughter, going to the cinema, shows, and pantomime is not a pastime; it's a lifeline in her battle against social isolation.

"This proposal would potentially strip away 60% of affected individuals disposable income, making it almost impossible for them to participate in her much-needed social activities."

Families had the opportunity to voice their concerns at a consultation event on Monday 25 November, with frustrations raised about how these changes will affect "the most vulnerable people".

A council official said responses from the consultation will feed into an equality, fairness and rights impact assessment, which will be presented to councillors before they make a decision.

This assessment of the policy, which was carried out by health chiefs, stated people will “only be asked to contribute what they can afford” and fees can be “waived altogether if the charge would put someone into financial hardship”.

“It is highly unlikely that anyone experiencing socio-economic disadvantage will meet the threshold to be charged," it said.

East Renfrewshire HSCP is the only HSCP in Greater Glasgow and Clyde that does not currently charge for these services, the report said.

However, the assessment also said elderly people have already been affected by the changes to the winter fuel allowance and cost-of-living crisis.

It added there is a "potential negative impact on the demands of unpaid carers", both financially and through additional stress.

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: "This is a difficult proposal, and one we spent many years avoiding putting forward.

"However, we have done everything we can to reflect the views of the 300+ people we have spoken to in the paper that will be put to Cabinet to help inform their decision on Thursday.

"If the policy is approved, our hope is to work with individuals, families, carers and our wide range of partners to minimise the impact of the change to our charging policy.”

Six information sessions were held by the HSCP but it was acknowledged that letters were sent at “extremely short notice”.

The council admitted extra measures had also not been put in place to support people with learning difficulties and disabilities, dementia, communication needs and mental health issues.

Additional report by Drew Sandelands from the Local Democracy Reporting Service