CORNWALL Council is inviting residents, people who need care, carers, care providers and anyone with an interest in adult social care to come forward and have their say in shaping future adult care services in Cornwall.

A consultation on three key adult social care policies in Cornwall is currently underway to find what people think about the proposed changes or if the council should change anything.

The draft Maximum Usual Price and Inflation Policy sets out the amount the council is usually prepared to pay suppliers for different types of social care services and the methodology used to develop the price. This policy includes charges for non-residential services, respite care and residential services.

The draft Adult Social Care Charging Policy sets out the council’s approach to collecting contributions from people who use residential and non-residential care services, and charging for respite care and providing meals.

In addition, Adult Social Care is also publishing a draft Choice and Top Up Policy, which sets out the approach the council will take in offering choices to meet someone‘s assessed needs, and when asking relatives to contribute to the cost of a care package, if the service user wishes to choose a more expensive provision or care package.

Following the consultation, all three policies will be subject to cabinet approval at the end of March.

Rob Rotchell, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for adults, and Liberal Democrat ward member for Camelford, said: “With a growing number of adults relying on some form of social care in Cornwall, these changes will help us to develop a fair and transparent system of charging and ensure we and our residents get the best value for money for care provided.

“We would like to know if the changes we are proposing to make to the policies are right and what people think about them. We would like to hear from anyone with an interest in care services but especially from people who receive care services, carers, service providers, voluntary and community sector, and anyone else with an interest in adult social care services.

“We want as many people as possible to have their say before the policies are finalised.”

The consultations close on Monday, March 12.

Copies of all three of the policy documents, further information and links to the consultation surveys can be found on the council’s website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/carepolicies

Copies of the policy documents and survey questionnaires are also available in the council’s libraries and information services.