14.08.13
Worcestershire council suggests charges for care
Families could have to pay for social care in Worcestershire, the council has proposed.
Charities and children’s rights groups have warned the proposals, which are out for consultation, could harm children who are already at risk.
Charges would affect children placed in voluntary care, including the involvement of a social worker, accommodation, advice and guidance and family support. Social workers would assess who can pay for such services, and whether these should be met by parents, carers or even the children in question if they are over 16.
The council will still provide statutory child protection and adoption services, as well as care for antisocial behavioural issues.
Siobhan Williams, head of children’s social care, said: “There are rare cases where parents who can offer their children a home again refuse to do so, and this policy also allows us to ask those parents for a contribution towards the cost of their care. If a family is in crisis they would not be charged for services.”
The draft guidelines state: “Even where sufficient monies are available to the child, the local authority will need to consider whether charging the child for services received would impact on the chances of future and sustained independence.”
But Tom Rahilly, head of strategy and development for looked-after children at the NSPCC, said: “It has the potential to prevent parents seeking help at the earliest opportunity which will be bad for those children and means their problems will get worse.”
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