Fees & Charges 26-27 IJB Report FINAL
North Ayrshire Council · 12 February 2026
Back to Integration Joint Board — 12 February 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Integration Joint Board 12th February 2026 Subject : Fees and Charges 2026-27 - Social Care Services Purpose : To outline the proposed charges for provided adult social care services for 2026/27 Recommendation : To approve the proposed charges and remit this to a meeting of North Ayrshire Council for formal ratification. Direction Required to Council, Health Board or Both Direction to :- 1. No Direction Required 2. North Ayrshire Council X 3. NHS Ayrshire & Arran 4. North Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire & Arran Glossary of Terms NHS AA NHS Ayrshire and Arran HSCP Health and Social Care Partnership 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Charging and contributing for social care services in North Ayrshire is aligned with the annual update of COSLA National Strategy and Guidance for Charging Applying to Non-Residential Care Services and the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidance (CRAG). The National Guidance is intended to assist Local Authorities and Integration Authorities to determine whether to charge a person for social care support, and in calculating how much - which is usually done through a financial assessment process. 1.2 This report details proposed charges for social care services for 2026/27, which will be reflected in the Integration Joint Board’s Revenue Budget and seeks IJB approval to submit these proposals to North Ayrshire Council to approve these charges as part of their 2026/27 budget setting. The schedule in Appendix 1 sets out the current charges, proposed 2026/27 charges and indicative charges for the following two years. The revised charges are estimated to increase income by £0.120m in 2026/27.
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1.3 The proposed charges for 2026/27 are informed by the 2025/26 review of charges, benchmarking with other areas and with consideration of the costs of delivering services. The outcome of this was an individual charge uplift basis rather than a general inflationary increase to charges across social care services, this also included the introduction of new charges for services. The proposals have been shared and discussed at the IJB Finance Working Group. 1.4 The approved charges will be included in the annual review of the Charging Policy which will be published on the NAHSCP website. 2. BACKGROUND 2.1 North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (NAHSCP) support adults to ensure they are able to live as well and independently as possible. To help the Partnership provide services which meet people’s identified outcomes, we may charge a contribution to the cost of the care. 2.2 The charging policy is reviewed annually and any revisions to charges and financial assessment rules are approved by North Ayrshire Council as part of the annual budget setting process. The legal basis for setting charges remains with the Local Authority, however Integration Authorities can agree charges as part of financial planning and budget setting processes. 2.3 What services do we charge for? • Administration of Blue Badge scheme • Community support (non-personal care only) • Day care • Meals at home • Telecare (includes community alarm, which is a chargeable service) • Respite care (when required for your care needs rather than to give your carer a break from caring duties) • Residential Care – including Montrose House What services do we not charge for? • Care management. • Children’s care and support. • Criminal justice social work. • Information and advice. • Needs assessment. • Respite care (when part of a carer’s assessment) • Personal care for all adults and children
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2.4 Contribution to services is determined on an individual basis by completion of a financial assessment form. This will take account of income, savings and other capital to work out how much each service user can afford to pay toward the cost of the services provided. Part of this assessment process will ensure that income is maximised and all appropriate benefits are being received. In North Ayrshire services users are supported by Money Smart to ensure benefits are maximised alongside their financial assessment for charges. Charges apply whether services delivered by the Health and Social Care Partnership directly, a provider or via a Direct Payment. 2.5 The Charging Policy is based on the following principles: • You will only be charged for the hours of care and support that you receive. • You will not be charged more than it costs to provide the service for which your charge has been assessed. • Where the charge is subject to a financial assessment, this will be based on your ability to pay, following an income maximisation assessment. • You will know how and why you are being charged. • You will be treated in a fair, transparent and equitable manner. 2.6 The below from Public Health Scotland illustrates the current framework for social care charging in Scotland:
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3. PROPOSALS Maximum Weekly Charge 3.1 The 2025/26 maximum charge is £120 and it is proposed to increase this to £126 (5% increase). 3.2 Community Alarms- Charges for community alarms are based on a flat rate weekly charge rather than being means tested per the charging policy. The proposed rates are given below:
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Ref Charge Description Basis Current Approved Charge (2025/26) £ Proposed Charge (2026/27) Basis of increase 2026/27 % 1 Community Alarms service - mainland (1st alarm in the household) Per week £6.85 £7.19 5.0% 2 Community Alarms service - mainland - weekly charge to HRA for sheltered housing properties Per week £6.85 £7.19 5.0% 3 Community Alarms service - Arran (1st alarm in the household) Per week £3.43 £3.60 5.0% 4 Community Alarms service - mainland (2nd alarm in the household) Per week £3.43 £3.60 5.0% 5 Community Alarms service - Arran (2nd alarm in the household) Per week £1.74 £1.83 5.0% 3.2.1 HRA Recharge – the recharge will be increased by 5% with the additional income being reinvested in the community alarm service to cover the additional costs of the digital community alarm service. 3.3 Day Care Charges for day care are means tested per the charging policy. The 2025/26 review of charges approved a higher increase for day care from 2025/26 to 2027/28. This was to reduce the gap between the cost of delivering the service and the contribution made to the service. 3.3.1 The proposed rates are given below: Ref Charge Description Basis Current Approved Charge (2025/26) £ Proposed Charge (2026/27) Basis of increase 2026/27 % 1 Day Care - Older People (purchased and provided) Per session £19.79 £23.75 20.0% 2 Day Care - Learning Disability (purchased and provided) Per session £20.61 £25.77 25.0% 3 Dirrans Centre Per session £19.79 £23.75 20.0% 4 Day Care and Dirrans Centre (charges to Other Local Authorities) Per week £280.79 £294.83 5.0%
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3.4 Financial Intervention Services – This is a flat rate charge. For new cases, no charge will be made for the first 12 weeks from commencement of Appointeeship. This will allow a sufficient period of time to identify and budget income and expenditure on behalf of the individual. A waiver of charges (on an individual basis) will be applicable for those with limited funds where their annual budget does not cover the charge. This is particularly in relation to care home residents with no capital whose income is subject to an assessed charge and personal allowance. Ref Charge Description Basis Current Approved Charge (2025/26) £ Proposed Charge (2026/27) Basis of increase 2026/27 % 1 Financial Intervention - Management of Service User Finances - residential service users Per week £3.50 £3.68 5.0% 2 Financial Intervention - Management of Service User Finances - community based service users Per week £5.50 £5.78 5.0% 3.5 Housing Support / Non-personal care inc Direct Payments – this is currently charged at £23.08 per hour and it is proposed to increase this in line with the increases to hourly rate to reflect the increase to the Living Wage. This charge is means tested per the Charging Policy and only applies to non-personal care aspects of an individual’s assessment. The proposed rates are: Ref Charge Description Basis Current Approved Charge (2025/26) £ Proposed Charge (2026/27) Basis of increase 2026/27 % 1 Care at Home Adults Per hour £23.08 £24.44 5.9% 2 Care at Home Older People per hour Per hour £23.08 £24.44 5.9% 3 Sleepover Per hour £15.45 £16.50 6.8% 4 Direct Payments - Personal Assistants Per hour £16.94 £18.02 6.4% 5 Direct Payments - Agency Rates Per hour £23.08 £24.44 5.9% 6 Direct Payments - Sleepovers Per hour £15.83 £16.89 6.7%
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3.6 Meals at home – a 5% increase is proposed for this service taking the charge from £3.89 to £4.08 per meal. This is a flat rate charge per the charging policy. Any additional income will be reinvested in the meals at home budget to reduce the current deficit that the service operates under. 3.7 Montrose House and Trindlemoss House – it is proposed to increase the weekly charge by the same percentage increase applied to the National Care Home Contract (NCHC). This is estimated as 5% pending confirmation of the 2026/27 NCHC rate. This charge is determined by an individual assessment and in line with separate guidance for Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidance (CRAG). The rates based on 5% are as follows but these rates will be updated when the NCHC rate 2026/27 is confirmed: Ref Charge Description Basis Current Approved Charge (2025/26) £ Proposed Charge (2026/27) Basis of increase 2026/27 % 1 Trindlemoss House - permanent placement Per week £1,471.78 £1,545.37 5.0% 2 Montrose House - permanent residential placement (capital below £34,999)* Per week £881.98 £926.08 5.0% 3 Montrose House - permanent residential placement (capital above £35,000) Per week £1,271.49 £1,335.06 5.0% 4 Montrose House - permanent nursing placement (capital below £34,999)* Per week £1,021.57 £1,072.65 5.0% 5 Montrose House - permanent nursing placement (capital above £35,000) Per week £1,471.78 £1,545.37 5.0% *25/26 threshold. 26/27 threshold TBC The figures highlighted in yellow are estimated pending the issuance of the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidance (CRAG). This is usually issued by the Scottish Government in mid-February. 3.8 The HSCP publish annually a Social Care Charging Policy. The 2025/26 version of this can be found here Social Care Charging Policy - Non-residential and residential care services The policy for 2026/27 will be updated in line with the approved charges and will reflect any updates from the COSLA guidance. The charging process can be complex for families and individuals, particularly when accessing different services and types of support, therefore there is a requirement to clearly set out our policy, this includes sharing worked examples of how financial assessments are calculated.
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3.2 Anticipated Outcomes The charges proposed represent a fair and equitable approach which aligns with national policy and recognises the significant financial pressures for social care services and for some services will reduce the gap between the cost of providing the service and the contribution made by the service user. 3.3 Measuring Impact Charging income will be monitored as part of the 2026/27 budget monitoring reports presented to the IJB. 4. IMPLICATIONS 4.1 Financial The projected additional income of £0.120m will be incorporated into the financial plans for the IJB for 2026/27. 4.2 Human Resources None 4.3 Legal None 4.4 Equality/Socio-Economic An EQUIA has been completed, this recognises that charges will continue to be applied on an individual basis by the completion of a financial assessment form, that the policy is applied equally to all adult service users and will not impact on the level of care provided. Although increased charges may impact on the ability to pay, the policy maintains mitigations around the ability to pay, ensuring continuing to ensure income is maximised including benefits. 4.5 Risk The report falls in line with the agreed risk appetite statement which is a low-risk appetite in respect to adherence to standing financial instructions, financial controls and financial statutory duties and a high-risk appetite in relation to finance and value for money. 4.6 Community Wealth Building None 4.7 Key Priorities The ability to deliver on our strategic priorities may be compromised due to the greater financial risk faced in 2026/27. This report will contribute to reducing this risk by identifying additional income which will contribute overall to service sustainability.
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5. CONSULTATION 5.1 The IJB Finance Working Group have considered the policy and approach for charging next year. The proposals have been shared with North Ayrshire Council finance colleagues to ensure these are considered as part of the budget setting process for North Ayrshire Council. Caroline Cameron, Director Author - Eleanor Currie, Principal Manager Finance, Section 95 Officer [eleanorcurrie@north-ayrshire.gov.uk]
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Appendix 1 Charge Description Basis Current Approved Charge (2025/26) Proposed Charge (2026/27) Indicative Charge (2027/28) Indicative Charge (2028/29) Basis of increase 2026/27 % Basis of increase 2027/28 % Basis of increase 2028/29 % Number of People Receiving a service Number of People charged Maximum Weekly Non-Residential Charge Per week £120.00 £126.00 £132.30 £138.92 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 3 3 Care at Home Adults Per hour £23.08 £24.44 £25.66 £26.94 5.9% 5.0% 5.0% 418 270 Day Care - Older People (purchased and provided) Per session £19.79 £23.75 £28.49 £29.91 20.0% 20.0% 5.0% 239 190 Day Care - Learning Disability (purchased and provided) Per session £20.61 £25.77 £32.21 £33.82 25.0% 25.0% 5.0% 182 128 Day Care and Dirrans Centre (charges to Other Local Authorities) Per week £280.79 £294.83 £309.57 £325.05 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% - - Community Alarms service - mainland (1st alarm in the household) Per week £6.85 £7.19 £7.55 £7.93 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Community Alarms service - mainland - weekly charge to HRA for sheltered housing properties Per week £6.85 £7.19 £7.55 £7.93 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Community Alarms service - Arran (1st alarm in the household) Per week £3.43 £3.60 £3.78 £3.97 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Community Alarms service - mainland (2nd alarm in the household) Per week £3.43 £3.60 £3.78 £3.97 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Community Alarms service - Arran (2nd alarm in the household) Per week £1.74 £1.83 £1.92 £2.02 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Meals on Wheels Per meal £3.89 £4.08 £4.28 £4.49 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Care at Home Older People per hour Per hour £23.08 £24.44 £25.66 £26.94 5.9% 5.0% 5.0% 138 138 Financial Intervention - Management of Service User Finances - residential service users Per week £3.50 £3.68 £3.86 £4.05 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 135 135 Financial Intervention - Management of Service User Finances - community based service users Per week £5.50 £5.78 £6.07 £6.37 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 133 133 4,004 4,004
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The figures highlighted in yellow are estimated pending the issuance of the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidance (CRAG). This is usually issued by the Scottish Government in mid-February. Charge Description Basis Current Approved Charge (2025/26) £ Proposed Charge (2026/27) Indicative Charge (2027/28) Indicative Charge (2028/29) Basis of increase 2026/27 % Basis of increase 2027/28 % Basis of increase 2028/29 % Number of People Receiving a service Number of People charged Dirrans Centre Per session £19.79 £23.75 £28.50 £29.93 20.0% 20.0% 5.0% 6 1 Sleepover Per hour £15.45 £16.50 £17.33 £18.20 6.8% 5.0% 5.0% Direct Payments - Personal Assistants Per hour £16.94 £18.02 £18.92 £19.87 6.4% 5.0% 5.0% 113 16 Direct Payments - Agency Rates Per hour £23.08 £24.44 £25.66 £26.94 5.9% 5.0% 5.0% 32 20 Direct Payments - Sleepovers Per hour £15.83 £16.89 £17.73 £18.62 6.7% 5.0% 5.0% 31 6 Blue Badge Charge for a 3 year period £20.00 £20.00 £20.00 £20.00 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 4,608 4,608 Respite (for an individual's care need rather than to give the carer a break) Age 16-24 Per week £79.70 £83.69 £87.87 £92.26 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% - - Respite (for an individual's care need rather than to give the carer a break) Age 25 - 64 Per week £98.50 £103.43 £108.60 £114.03 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 4 4 Respite (for an individual's care need rather than to give the carer a break) Age 65+ Per week £183.65 £192.83 £202.47 £212.59 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 211 33 Trindlemoss House - permanent placement Per week £1,190.70 £1,250.24 £1,312.75 £1,378.39 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 6 6 Montrose House - permanent residential placement (capital below £34,999)* Per week £825.94 £867.24 £910.60 £956.13 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Montrose House - permanent residential placement (capital above £35,000) Per week £1,190.70 £1,250.24 £1,312.75 £1,378.39 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Montrose House - permanent nursing placement (capital below £34,999)* Per week £948.59 £996.02 £1,045.82 £1,098.11 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% Montrose House - permanent nursing placement (capital above £35,000) Per week £1,378.13 £1,447.04 £1,519.39 £1,595.36 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 7 7