Local authorities fear extra burdens

Councils around London are concerned that initiatives to get adults
out of residential care and increase their independence could place
extra burdens on their social services departments.

Whereas placing authorities retain care management responsibility
for most residential placements, if these vulnerable adults switch
to more independent routes such as care through Supporting People
they sign tenancies and become “ordinarily resident” in the area –
and therefore the responsibility of the receiving council should
they need social services support in the future.

A new report by Kent Council, which is already struggling to cope
with 2,800 looked-after children and vulnerable adults placed in
the county by other local authorities, highlights the risks
relating to the development of Supporting People.

The report states that most placements were made by London boroughs
largely because many independent care providers in the county
offered cheaper rates than in London.

The council has launched an internal inquiry and a research project
to examine the problem and assess the impact of adult placements
from other local authorities.

In Hampshire, meanwhile, contract support manager for social care
Tim Ardill said that the Supporting People initiative had led to 83
residential homes with 700 beds “deregistering” with the Commission
for Social Care Inspection locally.

“These people are now living in the community and are not going to
go back to Barnet or Brent, or wherever. So if they need social
services care in the future, they will be Hampshire residents,” he
said.