Havering Council’s cabinet agrees on domiciliary care changes

Havering’s Council has agreed to improve domiciliary care provision for adults in the borough.

The council’s cabinet approved the plans on November 7, and include reviewing the current contracts with providers in the borough to ensure residents receive the best care possible, with the aim on helping them to live in their own homes for longer.

They also agreed to only pay for the amount of time a carer spends with a service user so the authority only pays for services that have been delivered.

There will be a total of 12 providers on the new framework. The council said that the outcome of the review will mean that some existing providers will not be on the new framework; however, everyone will be given the option of staying with their existing provider if they wish to do so.

Residents will still be able to use their existing provider by taking a personal budget through a direct payment made to them.

Cllr Steven Kelly, cabinet member for individuals, said: “We have an ageing population in Havering and this is why the provision of domiciliary care is so important to us.

“We want to focus on helping people to stay in their own homes where they know their neighbours and have their home comforts around them. In some cases, people often get better quicker and are more comfortable when they are in a familiar environment.

“When people stay at home, it is important that they get the best standard of care. We know how much people value the work of their carers, which is why we want to make sure that they offer the best possible service.”