In consequence the placements were expensive for the Local Authority, but more importantly, the vast majority of people's income went towards their care, support and accommodation costs, and the person's only income was the 'personal allowance' of just over £20.
As chair of the Shared Lives Panel I had identified this as a problem. When I took over the management of Shared Lives I initiated a pilot of a Housing Benefit based funding model. Using the success of this pilot I created a broad consensus that the new model benefited all involved. Political permission was granted in August 2011, and by July 2012
As chair of the Shared Lives Panel I had identified this as a problem. When I took over the management of Shared Lives I initiated a pilot of a Housing Benefit based funding model. Using the success of this pilot I created a broad consensus that the new model benefited all involved. Political permission was granted in August 2011, and by July 2012
- Average net income for people living in Shared Lives had increased by over £70 per week
- savings of over £450,000 per year had been achieved for the Council
