Setting an Indicative Budget (Carers)

1. Using this Procedure

This procedure will explain what an indicative budget is, how to set one and what to do if the budget that is set is not sufficient to meet the person’s eligible needs.

Note: This procedure is used by all of the following teams and services:

• Croydon Adult Support;
• Community Social Work (Assessment, Planning and Review).

1. Understanding what an Indicative Budget is

An indicative budget is a figurative amount calculated immediately following the assessment. It estimates the amount of money it may take to meet a carer's eligible needs and is based on information gathered during any assessment process.

2. Why an Indicative Budget is Important

An indicative budget is important because it supports the carer (and anyone supporting them with Support planning) to:

1. Understand the amount of financial resource that may be available to them (and also what is not available);
2. Explore options to meet needs that are within the available financial resource.

Knowing how much financial resource is available manages expectations and reduces the risk of dissatisfaction when the final personal budget is agreed.

3. When an Indicative Budget Should be Set

An indicative budget should be set:

1. After a carer's needs have been established and agreed; but
2. Before any Support planning process begins.

4. The Process of Setting an Indicative Budget

The Local Authority uses a banding level system to set indicative personal budgets for carers. Information about the levels and how to apply the system fairly can be accessed in the Local Resources area by clicking here.

5. Sharing the Indicative Budget

The indicative budget must be shared with the following people as soon as it is known and before any Support planning process begins:

1. The carer whose needs are to be met;
2. Any advocate involved; and
3. Anyone else involved in the Support planning process.

You should also make available any information to explain how the indicative budget amount was reached.

6. What to do if the Indicative Budget is not Sufficient

The indicative budget is only an estimation of the amount it may cost to meet the carer's eligible needs and the final personal budget that is agreed after the Support planning may be slightly higher or lower than this amount.

However, despite being estimated, the indicative budget should still be sufficient to support effective Support planning and meet the eligible needs that have been identified.

If you do not feel it is sufficient

If you are of the view that the indicative budget is not sufficient to support effective Support planning you should:

1. Review the formal record of the carer's needs to ensure that you have not made any recording errors; and
2. Review the process that you followed to set the indicative budget to ensure that you followed all the required steps.

Whenever decisions about indicative and personal budgets are being reviewed regard should be given to the statutory requirements for setting budgets under the Care Act, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Social work teams

If you continue to have concerns about the sufficiency of the indicative budget you should speak to your line manager to agree further action required and next steps.

Carers Support Centre

If you continue to have concerns about the sufficiency of the indicative budget you should speak to the relevant social work team manager to agree further action required and next steps.

If the carer does not feel it is sufficient

In all cases

Sometimes a carer may feel that the indicative personal budget they have been given is not sufficient to meet their needs. If you are in agreement with this you should follow the steps outlined above.

However, if you feel that the budget is sufficient to commence Support planning you should:

1. Explain that the indicative budget is an estimation based upon the eligible needs agreed during the assessment process;
2. Provide information about the process used to set indicative budgets;
3. Encourage the carer to proceed with the Support planning process and explore the full range of options to meet needs that are available (which will include alternatives to Local Authority provision); and
4. Assure the carer that where there is evidence (following the Support planning process) that the indicative budget is not sufficient this will be reflected in any final personal budget that is agreed.

Social work teams

Despite reassurances the carer may continue to be dissatisfied with the indicative personal budget amount and in this case you must make them aware of their right to complain.

People and carers can be directed to the Croydon Council website for information about the adult social care complaints process.

Click here to read the complaints policy and procedure.

Carers Support Centre

Despite reassurances if the carer continues to be dissatisfied with the indicative personal budget amount you should speak to the relevant social work team manager to agree further action required and next steps.