Care and support... an issue for everyone 

From meals on wheels to occupational therapy, any of us might need care and support services at any time.  The Government is holding a period of engagement with the public and key stakeholders regarding the future of Care and Support services.  Bath & North East Somerset Councillors on the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel want to feed back to the Government, on behalf of the local community, on these important issues. 

We would like to hear your views about the future of the Care and Support system, whether you use services now or not.

What is care and support?

The Government define care and support as "services and activities that help people to live independent, active and healthy lives and to be part of the community".  They comprise of:

• Social Care
• Some housing support services
• Support for independent living for disabled people
• Benefits that help with the extra costs of disablity in later life

What are the issues?

The Panel want to make representation to the government on behalf of the local population in response to the key questions as set out in the government’s engagement documents.  The Government have produced a document entitled "Thinking about a new care and support system: An opportunity for debate" which sets out additional information to further explain and help people to answer the questions.  You can click on the link above or to the right of this page to see that document.  However, in brief, the questions are as follows:

• Do you agree with the Government's vision for a new care and support system?  Is there anything missing from the vision that you would like to add?
• What do you think should be done or changed to make sure that the new system really does give people the care and support they want and need?
• How can care and support be paid for in the future?  How should the responsibility for care and support be shared?  Who should contribute more in the future?
• Who should decide how to spend the money?  Should central government or local government decide who is entitled to help and what they are entitled to?
• Should more support be given to those with low incomes and assets?  In the future should the same help be given to everyone who needs it or should government give more help to people who have low income and assets?
• Should the care and support system be the same for people with different needs?  In the future, should the same help be given to everyone who needs it or should government give more help to people who are unable to plan and prepare for their own care and support?

For more information on the review, please see the links to the right of this page to the Panel's Terms of Reference, and to the Government's own web pages on this issue.

 Public Meeting 15th October 2008

The Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel are holding a public meeting on 15th October from 2.00 pm in the Council Chamber, Guildhall, Bath, to hear from key stakeholders and members of the public on these important issues.

The Panel will be hearing from a range of invited contributors from local voluntary organisations, housing trusts, and advocacy networks.  

The meeting is open to the public and anyone can attend.  The Panel are particularly keen to hear the views of members of the public and there will be two sessions for members of the public to speak, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.  It is hoped that having two sessions will allow as many people to speak as possible.  If you wish to speak at the meeting, please pre-register by contacting Democratic Services on 01225 394452.