2023/24 Social Work Fees and Charges

Argyll and Bute Council · 25 January 2023
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 25 January 2023 and its agenda

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Integration Joint Board     Agenda Item: 
Date of Meeting: 25 January 2023 
Title: 2023/24 Social Work Fees and Charges 
Presented by: Lorna Jordan 
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
1.1 This report provides details of the proposed annual Social Work Fees and
Charges uplifts for 2023/24. In accordance with normal practice, a
standard uplift percentage has been applied to all of the department’s
fees and charges with several exceptions which are explained in the
detail of the report. A standard rate of 6% has been applied for 2023 to
partly reflect the current increased level of cost inflation whilst providing a
buffer for service users from the latest actual inflation rate which is 11.1%
- Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) for the 12 months to October 2022.  
1.2 Members are reminded that decisions on changes to the partnership’s
Non-Residential Care Charging Scheme are reserved to Argyll and Bute
Council (the Council) and that members of the IJB are asked to review
and, if so minded, endorse the proposed changes to the scheme ahead of
a formal submission to the Council’s 2023/24 budget meeting to seek
ratification for their implementation from April 2023. 
1.3 All Social Work Fees and Charges are included within this report with the
exception of Kintyre Care Centre which is being evaluated and will follow
at a later date.   
2. INTRODUCTION  
2.1 This report sets out the schedule of proposed fees and charges for Social
Work services for the 2023/24 financial year. The detailed list of proposed
charges, including the 2022/23 rates for comparison, is attached as
appendix 1 to the report. 
The board is asked to: 
 Review and endorse the appended 2023/24 Social Work Fees and Charges
proposals so that the proposals can be submitted to Argyll and Bute Council
for ratification at its 2023/24 budget meeting.

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3. DETAIL  
3.1 Appendix 1 to this report provides the list of uprated fees and charges for
2023/24 after the application of a 6% annual inflationary uplift – there may
be some minor variations due to rounding in the smaller charges.  
3.2 The proposed charges for the following service areas are not calculated
by applying a standard 6% uplift:  
3.2.1 Local Authority Residential Care Provision (Older People)   
Charges for the provision of residential care are based on the budgeted
cost of the service for 2023/24 which takes account of a number of
inflationary assumptions across the range of costs incurred by the homes.
The overall uplift for 2023/24 is 10%. 
The proposed rate will be charged to other health and social care
partnerships and local authorities with clients placed in the HSCP’s care
homes and to local people residing in the homes who own capital and
assets exceeding £29,750 (threshold as at 2022/23). As at 5 December
2022, there are 14 self-funding clients out of 60 residents in the HSCP’s
care homes (equivalent to 23% of the current residents). The majority of
residents, 77% of the current residents, pay substantially less based on
their ability to pay as assessed under the National Assistance
(Assessment of Resources) Regulations issued by the Scottish
Government. 
The charges for Kintyre Care Centre are being evaluated and will follow at
a later date once the transfer of the service to the HSCP is completed.  
3.2.2 Sleepovers   
The sleepover charge is based on an estimated basic pay rate which
reflects the £0.40 per hour uplift to the minimum pay rate for staff working
in adult social care as notified by the Scottish Government in their Budget
Announcement in December. Please note that this rate is an estimate and
actual rates may differ. Additionally, the rate has been adjusted to reflect
the 1.25% decrease in Employer’s National Insurance Contributions
following the decision to reverse this from November 2022. The overall
increase in the sleepover rate is 6%. 
3.2.3  Domestic Home Care, Housing Support and Employment Support
Provision 
The hourly charges for domestic home care, housing support and
employment support are all affected by the same changes to pay rates
and Employer’s National Insurance Contributions described in 3.2.2
above for sleepovers and are also impacted by inflation on non-pay costs
in line with the Consumer Price Index. The overall increase in these
charges is 9%.

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3.2.4 Children and Families Local Authority Residential Care Provision   
As above at 3.2.1, the proposed charges for Dunclutha, Shellach View
and East King Street reflect the budgeted cost for 2023/24 and are
affected by the same payroll and inflationary cost pressures explained
previously. 
The charges for the three units would only be payable by other councils
placing clients in the HSCP’s children’s houses. None of the children or
their families would be charged for the service provided at the three
houses.  
4. RECOMMENDATION  
4.1 It is recommended that the proposed rates increases are endorsed by the
IJB and the proposals submitted to the Council for ratification at its
2023/24 budget meeting ahead of implementation of the new rates from
April 2023.  
5. CONTRIBUTION TO STRATEGIC PRIORITIES  
5.1 The HSCP faces a combination of increasing demand and service costs
which is outstripping the funding available to sustain service delivery in its
current form. The annual adjustment to fees and charges ensures that
charges remain relevant to service costs which enables the IJB to
maintain income at levels proportionate to service costs in order to
sustain services and avoid potential service reductions.  
6. GOVERNANCE IMPLICATIONS  
6.1 Financial Impact   
The annual adjustment to fees and charges ensures that charges remain
relevant to service costs which enables the IJB to maintain proportionate
income levels in order to sustain services and avoid potential service
reductions.  
6.2 Staff Governance   
Updated fees and charges lists will be provided to staff and built into
revised 2023/24 versions of the Social Work service’s charge calculation
templates once the rates have been ratified by the Council.  
6.3 Clinical Governance   
Not applicable.  
7. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS  
7.1 The proposed changes apply equally to everyone who receives a service
which the partnership will continue to charge for. Subsequently, there are
no anticipated adverse equality or diversity issues arising from this report.

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8. GENERAL DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES COMPLIANCE  
8.1 Not applicable.  
9. RISK ASSESSMENT  
9.1 The key risk arising from the above proposal relates to service users who
are unable to afford to pay increased charges. To ensure that charges are
levied fairly and that service users are not placed into financial hardship,
the Council’s Non-Residential Care Charging Policy is reviewed annually
in line with changes to state benefits rates and other related guidance
issued by the Scottish Government and COSLA – no proposals for
changes have been issued for 2023/24. In addition, staff are able to
signpost service users to local advice services and the Council’s Welfare
Rights Team to ensure that their benefit entitlements have been
maximised and for help and advice with managing their money. Finally, a
waivers and abatement procedure is in place which provides service
managers with discretion to adjust charges where necessary.  
10. PUBLIC AND USER INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT  
10.1 Not applicable. 
11. CONCLUSIONS  
11.1 This report sets out the proposed annual increases to the Social Work
fees and charges rates which reflect the increased cost of delivering
social care services in Argyll and Bute. Members are asked to endorse
the proposals for submission to the Council for ratification at the Council’s
2023/24 budget meeting.  
12. DIRECTIONS 
Directions
required to
Council, NHS
Board or
both.
Directions to: Tick
No directions required 
Argyll and Bute Council 
NHS Highland Health Board 
Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland Health Board 
REPORT AUTHOR AND CONTACT 
Author Name: Lorna Jordan
Email: lorna.jordan@argyll-bute.gov.uk

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APPENDIX 1 – 2023/24 SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED FEES AND CHARGES FOR SOCIAL WORK SERVICES 
Description Other
Net
£ VAT Rate
VAT
£
Gross
£
Net
£ VAT Rate
VAT
£
Gross
£ £ % Notes/Comments
SOCIAL WORK
Local Authority Residential Care Provision (Community
Care) Weekly Charge 1,514.67 Outwith the Scope 0.00 1,514.67 1,660.78
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 1,660.78 146.11 10%
Non - Residential Services - Lunch Clubs - per meal 4.80 Outwith the Scope 0.00 4.80 5.10
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 5.10 0.30 6%
Non - Residential Services - Telecare - Community Alarms -
per week 5.75 Outwith the Scope 0.00 5.75 6.10
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 6.10 0.35 6%
Non - Residential Services - Telecare - Care Assist System -
per week 4.90 Outwith the Scope 0.00 4.90 5.20
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 5.20 0.30 6%
Non - Residential Services - Telecare - Mobile Devices and
Monitoring - per week 2.75 Outwith the Scope 0.00 2.75 2.90
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 2.90 0.15 5%
Non - Residential Services - Telecare - Canary System - per
week 2.15 Outwith the Scope 0.00 2.15 2.25
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 2.25 0.10 5%
Non - Residential Services - Home Help - hourly rate 21.48 Outwith the Scope 0.00 21.48 23.40
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 23.40 1.92 9%
Adjusted to reflect estimated changes in
staff pay from April 2023.
Non - Residential Services - Housing Support - hourly rate 21.48 Outwith the Scope 0.00 21.48 23.40
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 23.40 1.92 9%
Adjusted to reflect estimated changes in
staff pay from April 2023.
Non - Residential Services - Employment Support - hourly
rate 21.48 Outwith the Scope 0.00 21.48 23.40
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 23.40 1.92 9%
Adjusted to reflect estimated changes in
staff pay from April 2023.
Non - Residential Services -Sleepover Service - per night 119.88 Outwith the Scope 0.00 119.88 127.44
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 127.44 7.56 6%
Adjusted to reflect estimed changes in staff
pay from April 2023 and the 1.25%
reduction in Employer's National Insurance
Contributions from April 2023.
Non - Residential Services -Transport - per day 3.02 Outwith the Scope 0.00 3.02 3.20
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 3.20 0.18 6%
Adjusted to be divisible by 2 to enable one-
way charging
Non - Residential Services -Elderly Day Care - hourly rate 9.64 Outwith the Scope 0.00 9.64 10.20
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 10.20 0.56 6%
Adjusted to be divisible by 4 to reflect
quarter hour visits
Non - Residential Services -Learning Disability Resource
Centre Service - hourly rate 25.48 Outwith the Scope 0.00 25.48 27.00
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 27.00 1.52 6%
Adjusted to be divisible by 4 to reflect
quarter hour visits
Provision of Occupational Therapy Consultation - Per
assessment/consultation 267.23 Outwith the Scope 0.00 267.23 283.30
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 283.30 16.07 6%
Provision of Professional Services - Per Community Care
Assessment/ Consultation 669.84 Outwith the Scope 0.00 669.84 710.00
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 710.00 40.16 6%
Provision of Professional Services - Full needs assessment
only 508.55 Outwith the Scope 0.00 508.55 539.10
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 539.10 30.55 6%
Provision of Professional Services - Needs Review only 185.99 Outwith the Scope 0.00 185.99 197.10
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 197.10 11.11 6%
2022-23 Increase2023-24

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Description Other
Net
£ VAT Rate
VAT
£
Gross
£
Net
£ VAT Rate
VAT
£
Gross
£ £ % Notes/Comments
SOCIAL WORK
Children & Families - Local Authority Residential Care
Provision:   Dunclutha (weekly charge) 2,158.13 Outwith the Scope 0.00 2,158.13 2,285.08
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 2,285.08 126.95 6%
Charge levied to other HSCPs/Councils
buying places from Argyll and Bute.
Children & Families - Local Authority Residential Care
Provision: Shellach View (weekly Charge) 2,126.74 Outwith the Scope 0.00 2,126.74 2,300.88
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 2,300.88 174.14 8%
Charge levied to other HSCPs/Councils
buying places from Argyll and Bute.
Children & Families - Local Authority Residential Care
Provision: Helensburgh (weekly Charge) 2,083.95 Outwith the Scope 0.00 2,083.95 2,223.04
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 2,223.04 139.09 7%
Charge levied to other HSCPs/Councils
buying places from Argyll and Bute.
Children & Families - Other Charges - Inter Country
Adoptions 7,021.38 Outwith the Scope 0.00 7,021.38 7,442.70
Outwith the
Scope 0.00 7,442.70 421.32 6%
Inter-Authority Substitute Family Care Placements:
Within Scotland
In line with British
Association of
Adoption and
Fostering (BAAF)
recommended
figures Outwith the Scope
Outwith the
Scope
In line with British Association of Adoption
and Fostering (BAAF) recommended
figures.
Inter-Authority Substitute Family Care Placements:
Elsewhere - 1 child
In line with British
Association of
Adoption and
Fostering (BAAF)
recommended
figures Outwith the Scope
Outwith the
Scope
In line with British Association of Adoption
and Fostering (BAAF) recommended
figures.
Inter-Authority Substitute Family Care Placements:
Elsewhere - 2 children (siblings placed together)
In line with British
Association of
Adoption and
Fostering (BAAF)
recommended
figures Outwith the Scope
Outwith the
Scope
In line with British Association of Adoption
and Fostering (BAAF) recommended
figures.
Inter-Authority Substitute Family Care Placements:
Elsewhere - 3 children (siblings placed together)
In line with British
Association of
Adoption and
Fostering (BAAF)
recommended
figures Outwith the Scope
Outwith the
Scope
In line with British Association of Adoption
and Fostering (BAAF) recommended
figures.
Hostel Charges - Room hire - children's hearing - half day 24.00 Exempt 0.00 24.00 25.45 Exempt 0.00 25.45 1.45 6%
Hostel Charges - Room hire - children's hearing - Full day 40.05 Exempt 0.00 40.05 42.45 Exempt 0.00 42.45 2.40 6%
Hostel Charges - Room hire - half day 40.05 Exempt 0.00 40.05 42.45 Exempt 0.00 42.45 2.40 6%
Hostel Charges - Room hire - full day 72.05 Exempt 0.00 72.05 76.35 Exempt 0.00 76.35 4.30 6%
Hostel Charges - Catering: Tea, Coffee and Biscuits 2.92 Standard 0.58 3.50 3.08 Standard 0.62 3.70 0.20 6%
Hostel Charges - Catering: Soup and Sandwiches 5.71 Standard 1.14 6.85 6.04 Standard 1.21 7.25 0.40 6%
Hostel Charges - Catering: Lunch (2 course with coffee) 8.71 Standard 1.74 10.45 9.25 Standard 1.85 11.10 0.65 6%
Hostel Charges - accommodation - Argyll & Bute Council -
Bed & Breakfast 33.38 Standard 6.68 40.05 35.38 Standard 7.08 42.45 2.40 6%
Hostel Charges - accommodation - Argyll & Bute Council -
Half Board 46.83 Standard 9.37 56.20 49.63 Standard 9.93 59.55 3.35 6%
Hostel Charges - accommodation - Other Groups - Bed &
Breakfast 33.38 Standard 6.68 40.05 35.38 Standard 7.08 42.45 2.40 6%
Hostel Charges - accommodation - Other Groups - Half
Board 46.83 Standard 9.37 56.20 49.63 Standard 9.93 59.55 3.35 6%
Hostel Charges - accommodation - Other Groups - Full
Board 53.42 Standard 10.68 64.10 56.63 Standard 11.33 67.95 3.85 6%
2022-23 Increase2023-24