HCD - 'SUPPORT THE FAMILY' Campaign
- FAMILY PAY - TO CQC PRINCIPLES
The 'Support the Family' campaign asks Government to clarify the wording “unless it is necessary” under current Government guidelines where a family member cannot be paid to support someone who lives in the same house – where such a supported person is in receipt of a direct payment or a personal budget. (Ref:-Section 94 (page 26) Community Care Services for Carers Direct Payments Guidance 2003).
The 'Support the Family' campaign asks for government guidelines to be more specific and generally broadened to allow family members to be paid to support their relative, partner or spouse living in the same house providing the following safeguards are in place :-
Quality Assurance Guidelines
a. The supported person is in receipt of a ‘care needs assessment’ as having a ‘long term condition’ or a ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’ care need when funding is by a local council or PCT. (Note :- Should the on-line Resource Allocation System (i.e. RAS) have been initially use by the client, then it is recommended that the assessment should be confirmed by a qualified assessor if a person is to be paid who lives in the same house).
b. The family member living in the same house as the supported person is employed by an outside and independent agency regulated by the Care Quality Commission to ensure the support is to National Essential Care standards.
c. Funding is via a managed Bank Account.
THE AIMS OF THE ‘SUPPORT THE FAMILY’ CAMPAIGN
1. For the support to be the most appropriate to meet the needs of the assessed person.
2. For a shared responsibility to be agreed between the family and State for the health and safety of the supported person and thereby show a financial benefit to the State. (Note :- The service provider chosen by the client has overall responsibility to meet the full care needs assessment of the client when working in partnership with the client and/or family member.)
3. To offer employment to an unemployed family member living in the same house.
4. To help to bring financial viability and stability to a family and thereby improve the general wellbeing of the family unit as a whole.