We have decided to introduce a £5 per week administration fee.
We undertook a consultation exercise between 7 October and 15 November 2024 on the proposal to introduce an administration fee and responses received have been reviewed and considered by the Adults and Health directorate leadership team.
Decision
The purpose of the fee is to cover the costs of arranging care, issuing bills, processing payments to service providers, and handling service delivery queries.
A flat fee per person, rather than a percentage of the invoice value or a set fee per person, is fairer and more efficient (it avoids greater administrative costs and increased fees to recover that cost).
The cost of administering care doesn't change based on individual circumstances. A fee is applicable at any point in a person’s care journey if the Local Authority arranges it.
We consider the charge to be reasonable for acting on someone’s behalf and that it is set at a level that should not deter anyone from accessing the care they are assessed as needing.
The fee starts in April 2025.
Who this affects
The fee applies to everyone who receives care and support services arranged and commissioned by Adults and Health but does not qualify for financial assistance.
Anyone is able to ask us for help and advice, this is not something the Local Authority or a provider would normally charge for.
Invoices
We bill every 4 weeks. The administration fee is included in this invoice.
Finding care
Your care does not need to be arranged through the Local Authority as they do not have to do this for you. Individuals who qualify for financial assistance from the Local Authority and are in receipt of a Direct Payment or have a Personal Budget broker their own care.
If you decide to manage your own care, in most cases you will not need to change your provider. A significant proportion of providers are happy to take on private clients. If this is not the case for a provider you are currently using, there are usually a selection of providers working in each area to provide choice and control.
Leeds Directory provides links to checked and vetted local service providers in each area of Leeds and details of how to contact them. All care providers must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which regularly monitors the quality of their services.
The cost of your care depends on the rate you negotiate with a provider. You should check to see how much your chosen provider will charge you privately before making any decisions.
If you have a social worker, they will have assessed you as needing care and told you how your needs can be met.
If you manage your own care going forward, your social worker will not be involved. However, if needed, you can contact Leeds City Council’s Contact Centre and be directed to a Social Work Team.
If you need any assistance, please Call the contact centre and be directed to a Social Work Team.
