Talks are taking place between adult social care providers in Trafford and the council over increases in costs to vulnerable people forced by inflation. Trafford council has set a timetable for discussions over 'inflationary uplifts' in the cost of care, based on the consumer price index (CPI) figure which has yet to be announced. It is widely expected to be 7.4 per cent.
Providers, who also deliver care to people living at home, will also be impacted by -yet-to-be-announced increases in the National Minimum Wage, which currently stands at £9.50 an hour and the Real Living Wage, which rises to £10.90 in April, 2023.
Trafford council's executive member for adult social care Coun Katrina Carter has told an executive committee meeting that the authority's decision-makers are under a legal duty to have 'due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination against home care recipients, as well as providers' staff'.
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"It is important to take care that the new rates are adequate to promote a diverse and high-quality care market," she said. "In particular because of the risk that otherwise there could be an adverse impact on the welfare of vulnerable residents and/or staff and their ability to enjoy a quality of life comparable with those less vulnerable."
The consultation process has started this week and will conclude on November 23. It is expected that consultation feedback and an agreement over new rates will be available in December.
Meanwhile, Trafford is undertaking a 'Fair Cost of Care' exercise - a nationally required process which aims to find out the real cost of providing care. The council has employed an independent organisation called Commercial.Gov to collect the necessary data 'in order to maintain impartiality'.
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