Plans to introduce care charges in East Renfrewshire

Non-residential care is currently free and includes services like meal preparation, charges for meals, day opportunities, building and community based services (such as community pathways and care at home services) that the local authority can charge for via the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).

Non-residential care also includes personal care which under law cannot be charged for by councils and includes activities such as help with washing and eating.

No decision has yet been made on the plans, but if approved by the council, it is intended the charges will be introduced from next April.

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire HSCP, which is a a partnership between the council and NHS, said: “The HSCP is facing unprecedented financial pressures and has had to make a host of difficult decisions in order to bridge the £11.8 million gap in our budget for 2024/25.

“Looking to 2025/26 we know things aren’t going to get any easier.

“We have always worked hard to avoid introducing charging for non-residential care, which is why we are the only HSCP in Greater Glasgow and Clyde that currently does not currently do so, but regrettably our financial position means we have had to consider all options.”

At present the HSCP's projected costs for the year are £1.7 million more than the budget. 

Looking at 2025/26, due to population demand, demographics and pay and contractual inflation, cost pressures are expected to range from £3.5 to £7 million depending on a range of scenarios.

The partnership will need to find further savings to offset these potential costs, subject to any impacts from the budget settlement for 2025/26. 

The decision to consider introducing charging for non-residential care came from an income generation short life working group (IGSLWG) which was set up at the request of the East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board (IJB) in April 2023.

The IJB is a separate legal body and is the main decision making body for all health and social care in East Renfrewshire.

It has the responsibility for planning and monitoring community health and social care services.

Senior officers and IJB members sit on this IGSLWG and according to the HSCP “considered a range of options”.

People in receipt of services categorised as non-residential care, their carers and loved ones were invited by letter to join senior management at the HSCP at an information session this week to find out more and ask questions.

The letter stated: “Regrettably, our financial position, the demand for services and the increasing complexity of need, means we need to consider introducing means-tested charges for these services.

It continued: “We know this may be concerning to you and your loved ones, which is why we want to have an open and transparent discussion.”

The first of the information sessions was held this afternoon (Tuesday, October 22) in Thornliebank, with a further online information session being held online tonight between 6pm and 8pm.

Another in-person information session is being held tomorrow (Wednesday, October 23) from 2pm to 4pm at The Foundry in Barrhead, with a further online session taking place tomorrow night from 6pm to 8pm.

Following the information sessions a report will be drafted and put to the cabinet of East Renfrewshire Council in December.

The IJB will also consider this report at a seminar in advance of the cabinet meeting, however, under the legislation it is the council who has the authority to set charges.

A ‘supporting people framework’ has already been rolled out in East Renfrewshire due to funding pressures.

It means social care is only provided to those in “substantial or critical” need.

Residents with low or moderate needs are referred to support in the community, such as charities and other third sector groups.

“It is important to note that nothing has been agreed at this stage, and any charges would be based on the ability to pay," added the spokesperson. 

"This would be established through a financial assessment and, if approved, the intention is to start this process in April 2025.

“We understand introducing this would be a big change for people in receipt of non-residential care in East Renfrewshire, and we know this news will be concerning to them and their loved ones.

“Our hope is we can work with individuals, families, carers and our wide range of partners to minimise the impact of any change to our charging policy, and start to have open and transparent conversations about this at the information sessions this week.”

For more information about how to join the online sessions click HERE.