MessageFrom: Colleen Smith [Colleen.Smith@leics.gov.uk]
Sent: 14 February 2011 12:32
To: DWP Consultation DLAReform
Subject: Leicestershire County Council

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed

Hi - please find attached the response from Leicestershire County Council to this consultation. 

We are unsure why a new benefit should be introduced rather than revisit the existing benefit guidelines, particularly as both benefits are to fulfil the same purpose.  There will inevitably be problems with legitimate uptake as the public will not know or understand the new benefit.

The proposal to stop payments of the mobility component to funded residents in a care home effectively treats those residents as hospital inpatients and will place an extra burden on local authority funding and / or residents finances.  Care homes may resist attempts to include "mobility activities" in care plans and / or expect higher fees as a consequence.

Requiring social care staff (occupational therapists and social workers) to give advice during the claim process will be an added cost to local authorities and will require a huge initial and ongoing training programme in order to ensure that service users are adequately informed.  There could be a conflict of interest if a social worker is called on to assess eligibility for community care services and the Personal Independence Payment.  In addition, not all people who would be eligible for a Personal Independence Payment would be eligible for community care services.

If you have any queries please contact me

Colleen Smith
Community Care Finance Manager
Leicestershire County Council
Tel: 0116 305 8369
 


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Leicestershire County Council - Council of the Year 2009

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