Wakefield Council cabinet members will be asked to approve a consultation on charging for board and lodgings in the Shared Lives service. The decision is scheduled for Tuesday 20 October at 5.30pm.
Wakefield Council currently provides long and short-term placements for adults with additional needs in the homes of approved Shared Lives carers. The council is considering introducing charges for board and lodgings to bring the service in line with other adult social care arrangements in the district.
Why the consultation is being considered
Currently, a difference exists between Wakefield's Shared Lives and Supported Living services. In most Supported Living services, people pay their own board and lodging costs from their benefits, while housing benefit covers rent. In Shared Lives placements, board and lodging costs are included in the placement fee, allowing people to keep a larger proportion of their benefits than those in other community-based care settings.
A 2023 study by Shared Lives Plus recommended that commissioners in Yorkshire and the Humber better align their charging arrangements with other areas. Wakefield's current arrangements differ from those used by many other councils.
The council wants to explore whether current board and lodging arrangements remain fair, affordable, and equitable.
What the consultation will cover
If approved by cabinet, a three-month consultation would gather the views of people supported by Shared Lives services, families, carers, and other stakeholders. Following the consultation, findings, equality impacts, financial implications, and options for change will be reported back to Cabinet before a final decision is made.
The cabinet meeting can be watched live or later from 5.30pm at https://www.youtube.com/@WakefieldCouncilWMDC/streams