12th December 2023
You may be aware that Bristol City Council is currently consulting on what they are calling a ‘Fair and Affordable Care Policy’ . You can have your say on https://www.ask.bristol.gov.uk/fair-and-affordable-care-policy-consultation by completing a survey by the end of January, and if you need the survey in an alternative format or translated, please contact the Consultation and Engagement Team at [email protected] or by calling 0117 922 2848.
WECIL Trustees are really concerned that this new policy, if adopted, will enable social workers to take into account available resources when they do Community Care assessments, rather than just focussing on what the Disabled person actually needs to have choice and control in their lives, and the right support for inclusive living. In the current climate of every increasing pressures on adult care services, (due to Government real term cuts in funding), we believe this will lead to decisions being made that are more about balancing budgets than respecting the wishes of the Disabled person e.g. having to accept residential care when they want to stay at home.
WECIL are not happy with the survey and its questions, and are opposing the Draft Policy. Instead we are asking that the Council continues to follow the Care Act and its guidance, and assesses and records the real needs of all everyone who requires a service, without being influenced by lack of money. That way they can be clear about the level of unmet need, and argue with the Government about getting the right amount of funding to cover what is necessary to support independent living.
WECIL has put together a detailed response to the Council (attached),which we wanted to share with our members. Please do contact us if you have any further questions.
