URL: https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2526

Decision Maker: Director of Adults Services, Housing & Communities

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Appendix F of this report is exempt from publication on the basis that it contains information of the description set out in paragraph 16 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972     AGREED that   Domiciliary Care Agencies   the following uplifts to the fees paid for domiciliary care provided by a domiciliary care agency be authorised as follows:   •      to increase the floor of the current Fee Setting Strategy to a blended rate of £25.23 per hour which is an uplift of 6% and uplift all current care packages that sit below £25.23 per hour to that level.   •      to increase the ceiling of the current Fee Setting Strategy to a blended rate of £27.42 per hour which is an uplift of 2.5%. We do not expect to commission domiciliary care packages above this rate unless there are expectational circumstances that justify a higher cost.   •      Packages that fall between the floor and the ceiling will receive an uplift of 6% unless this level of increase takes the care package above the proposed ceiling level of £27.42, in which case the level of uplift will be tapered to take account of this.   ·     no uplift will be awarded to care packages where the current rate is already above the proposed new ceiling. However, as these packages have been agreed due to the exceptional circumstances surrounding the care package, providers are invited to contact the Local Authority if they are concerned about the sustainability of these packages. Decisions to be made on a case-by-case basis taking into account the exceptional circumstances surrounding the package.   Direct Payment Agency Rate   ·     the rate that will be applied to the Direct Payment Agency Rate is the agreed floor rate which is proposed to be a blended rate of £25.23 per hour.   Charges for Domiciliary Care   ·     the hourly charge made for domiciliary care increases from £23.80 to £25.23, to reflect the lowest hourly rate that the Council expects to pay for domiciliary care. Any charge will be subject to an affordability test and to a cap of £100 per week in line with Welsh Government requirements.   Administration of Uplifts   ·     Subject to recommendations being approved, payment of the uplifts will be backdated as usual, so as to take effect from 1st April 2026 in respect of all contracts.   ·     The increase in the hourly charge for Domiciliary Care will also take effect from 6th April 2026.   Variation in Contract   ·     To authorise that a Variation of Contract Form be issued to providers in receipt of the Real Living Wage uplift (located at Appendix A), in order to secure their agreement to continue to pay eligible staff at least the Real Living Wage from 1 April 2026.   Taking account of all relevant factors:    ·     to make a fair and equitable investment in service provision within available resources, to manage the financial impacts of changing costs and arrangements within the social care sector, including increases in staff wages related to the continued application of the Real Living Wage for eligible Social Care Workers, and Consumer Price Index.   ·     to seek assurance from providers in receipt of the Real Living Wage uplift, that they have paid their eligible staff at least the Real Living Wage from 1 April 2026.  

Date of Decision: March 31, 2026