The FACTS about paying for social care in Kirklees (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

The FACTS about paying for social care in Kirklees

October 20, 2005 3:35 PM

There is much shouting going on about overspending on caring for vulnerable people in Kirklees. here are a couple of case studies that illustrate some the issues:

Case Study 1 - Caring for children in care

In 2003/04 the actual number of children in the care of Kirklees Council was 182.

For 2005/6 the Council has planned to look after 187. The Council is now predicting that we will have 228 of which 69 will have to be looked after by private agencies due to the shortage of foster carers. This has made a cost difference of between £215 and £700 per week per child. This adds up to an overspending of £1.64m.

Case Study 2 - Caring for people with learning disabilities

This has been an issue for a number of years as people with learning difficulties have better quality lives and therefore a longer life expectation. That's good news. The Council has already put in £1.5 million to cover the cost.

The budget allows for us to care for 315 in residential care but we now care for 321. This is creating an overspend of nearly 1m.

The number of people who have been assessed as able to live independently has risen from 157 to 206. That is good news. The average spend is over £300 per week. That is causing a predicted overspend of £1m.

Overspending national on exactly the same issues as these are being faced across the country. Research by the Local Government (1) illustrates the scale of the pressures faced by local government across the Country.

1. Social Services finance 2004/05 - a survey of local authorities. Research briefing 4.05. Published by LGA Publications, the Local Government Association. www.lga.gov.uk