East Renfrewshire Mother Raises Alarm Over Proposed Social Care Fees

A mother from East Renfrewshire has expressed apprehension that proposed social care charges might “push disabled people and those relying on social care into poverty”. Tracey Campbell, whose daughter Leia, aged 18, requires round-the-clock assistance, characterized the suggested introduction of £20 per hour fees for non-residential social care as “unfair” and “immoral”. These charges, potentially effective from April, are projected to affect over 1,000 residents if endorsed by the council’s cabinet this Thursday. The council anticipates these fees will generate £1.5 million, contributing to bridging a £12 million deficit in the East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) budget. Personal care and services provided to children are not subject to these charges. Categories of non-residential care encompass social assistance, meal charges, day programs, and community-based provisions. Ms. Campbell stated that her daughter, who lives with Angelman syndrome, depends on outings and activities like horse riding to prevent social isolation and maintain her sense of security and well-being. Leia’s condition results in severe physical and learning disabilities, and she is allocated a self-directed support budget that is “mainly spent on support workers to keep her safe”. Ms. Campbell is concerned that the proposed charge will prevent her daughter from affording hobbies such as horse riding, an activity she pursues three times weekly, while simultaneously maintaining financial independence. She worries her daughter might experience social isolation and is apprehensive about the long-term effects of these charges. A petition initiated by the Netherlee mother, urging East Renfrewshire’s health authorities to abandon the proposed charges, has garnered support from nearly 1,000 individuals. The petition stated: “For my daughter, going to the cinema, shows, and pantomime is not a pastime; it’s a lifeline in her battle against social isolation.” The petition further claimed: “This proposal would potentially strip away 60% of affected individuals disposable income, making it almost impossible for them to participate in her much-needed social activities.” Families were given a chance to express their concerns during a consultation event held on Monday, November 25, where anxieties were voiced regarding the impact of these changes on “the most vulnerable people”. A council representative indicated that feedback from the consultation would inform an equality, fairness, and rights impact assessment, which is to be presented to councillors prior to their final decision. This policy assessment, conducted by health chiefs, affirmed that individuals will “only be asked to contribute what they can afford” and that fees could be “waived altogether if the charge would put someone into financial hardship”. The assessment also stated: “It is highly unlikely that anyone experiencing socio-economic disadvantage will meet the threshold to be charged,”. According to the report, the East Renfrewshire HSCP is unique within Greater Glasgow and Clyde for not presently imposing charges for these specific services. Nevertheless, the assessment acknowledged that elderly individuals have already been impacted by modifications to the winter fuel allowance and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. It further noted a “potential negative impact on the demands of unpaid carers,” both financially and due to increased stress. A spokesperson for the East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership commented: “This is a difficult proposal, and one we spent many years avoiding putting forward.” The spokesperson continued: “However, we have done everything we can to reflect the views of the 300+ people we have spoken to in the paper that will be put to Cabinet to help inform their decision on Thursday.” They added: “If the policy is approved, our hope is to work with individuals, families, carers and our wide range of partners to minimise the impact of the change to our charging policy.” The HSCP conducted six information sessions, though it was conceded that notification letters were dispatched at “extremely short notice”. The council also acknowledged that additional provisions had not been established to assist individuals with learning difficulties and disabilities, dementia, communication requirements, and mental health challenges.