Councils gain cash to reshape services

Councils will receive help to address spending pressures on learning difficulties services through a three-year initiative run by the Care Services Improvement Partnership, the Department of Health confirmed this week.

The scheme, which was first mooted earlier this year (Commissioning to solve funding crisis, 16 February), was formally launched this week.

The Getting to Grips with the Money programme aims to help councils shift resources from residential and nursing homes towards individualised support.

It has been set up in response to an Association of Directors of Social Services report, which showed that councils’ spending on learning difficulties services was increasing by about 10 per cent a year in real terms.

ADSS vice-president Anne Williams said the initiative would help councils move towards individualised support.

A total of 150,000 will be available over the three years, with additional money from council subscription fees and other sources. CSIP is consulting councils on a suggested subscription fee of 5,000 a year.