Department of Health to introduce national care threshold in 2015

A national eligibility criteria setting a minimum threshold for access to care and support services will be introduced in 2015, under plans unveiled by the Department of Health.

Draft regulations published today set that national threshold at a level equivalent to ‘substantial’ in current guidance. The regulations, contained in a discussion document, are also designed to introduce a consistent eligibility level for carers.

Currently, councils assess individuals’ needs as either ‘critical’, ‘substantial’, ‘moderate’ or ‘low’. Only three councils restrict eligibility to those with needs deemed ‘critical’.

The Department said the new threshold “would put an end to councils tightening their own local eligibility criteria in response to budget pressures, which can currently see people live with the fear that they will be denied or lose their support.

“It will also tackle the variations between local authorities which leads to inconsistencies, confusion and legal challenges.”

Earlier this week the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced – as part of the Spending Review – the provision of £3.8bn of pooled funding for health and social care.

Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said: “We know people are often confused about what care they can expect from their local authority and far too many end up having to fight for the care that they need because the rules are so complicated.

“In my view, we need to be clear about the basic minimum entitlements to services so that everyone can be reassured there is some level of support they can expect, regardless of where they live.”

Lamb added: “A national minimum is exactly that – a starting point for local councils to base their care provision on. We are also starting work on a new approach to eligibility - which aims to offer some help to families earlier on to help prevent a deterioration of condition – this summer.”

The Department of Health said it would bring together a working group of users of services, carers, local authorities and academics to develop and test options for a possible new assessment framework.

The Department is to publish the regulations on eligibility for formal consultation once the Care Bill has completed its passage through Parliament, which is expected to be in spring 2014.

The regulations will subsequently be laid before Parliament in autumn 2014. Councils will have six months to make practical arrangements, prior to the national eligibility level coming into effect in April 2015.