Cuts on the way for adult social care in Warrington (From This Is Cheshire)

Cuts on the way for adult social care in Warrington

11:40am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News

THE way adult social care is offered could change as Warrington Borough Council looks to make £6.5million in savings.

Councillors are set to decide next Monday whether to start a consultation on changing the threshold for eligibility for social care services and day care services.

It means those who has moderate needs could potential lose the care currently provided - though those with substantial and critical needs would still be catered for.

Clr Pat Wright blamed the cuts from Central Government.

She said: “It goes against my beliefs in adult social care that this affects the most vulnerable and elderly in society.

“On top of what we have to save we are expecting over 2,000 extra service users. That puts probably another £2million pressure on top of what we have to save.

“Everything we are doing now is really to keep the services running to look after the most vulnerable.

“We are looking at the best possible outcome for anybody who is under our care.”

It would bring the council in line with more than 75 per cent of councils across the country who already only offer help to the higher two categories of eligibility.

Moderate care is offered to those with some risk to health or independence in the future and can include short home visits to help with domestic chores or personal care, attending a day care service a few times a week or accessing community based services like fitness sessions or art classes.

Any consultation will also look at the day care provisions across the town and council bosses believe the strengthening of community hubs across the town will go towards creating more community care.

At present 182 people use the day services with some using hubs and others at the two dedicated day centres in Gorse Covert and Dallam.

Joe Blott, executive director of neighbourhood and community services, said: “More people are wanting to take control of their own budgets.

“Less people are using our day service buildings because they are using community based settings. They feel happier there. Rather than the service wrapped around them they can wrap themselves around the care they need.”

All views will be welcome to any consultation say officers and they will be speaking not just to those people and their families who might be affected but also organisations who offer support to a variety of people to get a wider view.

The council’s executive board will vote on whether to start the consultation on Monday night and if approved the consultation will start on February 20 running to the end of March