PLANS to fund extra support for elderly people and adults with additional needs in Warrington are to be considered by the borough council’s executive board.
Members will vote at a meeting on Monday on a bid to increase funding for residential and nursing homes for older people and home care by up to five per cent. It is hoped this will enable providers to continue to offer choice to service-users and meet the growing demand for the next 12 months.
Currently there is not enough care provision to meet the rising demand and one of the reasons behind this is the low rates of pay offered in the sector.
The council hopes this increase will allow providers to raise wages and increase training and retention of staff. Most care workers in Warrington also live in the borough.
Cllr Pat Wright (pictured), lead member for adult social care, said: “The council has worked proactively to co-ordinate and deliver care as efficiently as possible. We have also introduced a training scheme called the ‘Care Academy’ and worked with providers to support a ‘Care Ambassadors’ programme to help with recruitment.
“We are doing everything within our power to look after those in our community who need the most help and to help people to keep their independence. With this extra money we hope to be able to do more to plug the gaps left by cuts in central government funding.”
*Warrington Borough Council currently spends 35 per cent of its budget on adult social care – considerably more than on any other area of council responsibility.
*The past 12 months has seen demand rising for domiciliary care, with spikes of 15-20 per cent increases at some points.
Council plans 5% boost for elderly people in need
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