William Eichler 17 March 2021

County council criticised for overcharging for respite care

County council criticised for overcharging for respite care  image

Lincolnshire County Council has agreed to refund some people it charged for short-term residential care following an investigation.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman revealed that the council had been charging a fixed fee for respite care without assessing whether people could afford it.

This goes against the statutory guidance which emphasises the principle that a charge should be affordable for the individual.

The county council charged a different flat rate for care based on people’s ages, but stated people could have a full financial assessment if they wished.

The Ombudsman found that the council had identified 4,387 respite users who later went on to receive full-time residential care. Of that number, nearly 3,000 had either paid the correct charge or had underpaid.

However, the rest had overpaid by between £10 and £50 per episode of respite care.

Commenting on the report, Glen Garrod, executive director of Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, said: ‘We accept the findings and are acting on the recommendations laid out by the Ombudsman.

‘We have apologised to those affected and reimbursed anyone who has been overcharged for short-term residential care, as well as reviewing our procedures so that similar problems don't happen again. It's always our aim to provide good quality support and services that our residents need and deserve.’

‘Although to some the amounts people overpaid may seem small, those people have still suffered a financial loss,’ said Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Michael King.

‘These sums may have made a material difference to peoples’ weekly income, so I welcome the council’s acceptance of my recommendations to put things right for them.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner