Council approves increase in care home fees

THE cost of residential care home fees and group home rents in Fife is set to go up by 5% this year.

Fife cabinet committee backed the increases alongside a suite of other fee increases and payment uplifts yesterday.

Audrey Valente, chief finance officer for Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) told the committee that residential care home fees are required to “recover the full cost to the council”.

“For 2024-25, the weekly charge will be £1,240.00 per week, an increase of 5% over the 2023-24 rate,” her report stated.

Likewise, service users residing and receiving care and support within a group home or core and cluster service in Fife are set to see 5% increases as well.

“The rental charge mirrors the increase applied by Fife Council’s housing service for rental charges for tenants,” Ms Valente said.

According to a committee report, most service users claim housing benefits to pay their weekly rental charges – less than 5% pay their rental charge in full.

“Therefore, while the rental charges are increased, there is no impact on most service users due to the rental charge being covered through their benefits claim,” the report said.

Charges for respite care in Fife are set to increase by even more.

The HSCP has proposed a 6.6% rise in fees for adult respite care among 18-64-year-olds.

The charge for 64-yearolds and over respite care is set to go up by 8.5% – an increase of £11.45 per week.

According to Ms Valentre, these increased charges are based on benefit rates set by the Department for Work and Pensions and they will be applicable from the end of the week, April 8.

Councillors approved the increases with very little debate or discussion.

Changes to residential care home fees will be applicable from April 1. Respite care charges will take effect from April 8.