'Crisis' warning over further cuts to social care

Bristol City Council wants to reduce the amount it provides for the 'Help When You Need It' programme

A social care provider says plans to cut £200,000 from a service for people in sheltered housing could leave tenants in "crisis".

Bristol City Council wants to reduce the amount it provides for the 'Help When You Need It' programme and cut money for home adaptations for people leaving hospital by £300,000.

The authority says it faces a significant overspend and cannot fund these discretionary services.

But Brunel Care, which manages around 900 tenants in 23 sheltered housing sites has warned the cuts will have severe "unintended consequences".

Janice Clements from Brunel Care said the cuts were a "false economy" that would put more pressure on the council

Bristol City Council announced it was facing a £22m in-year overspend in the summer, warning it could face effective bankruptcy.

Since then, it has been looking at measures to reduce its costs, above and beyond savings it has already announced.

At Monday's Adult Social Care Policy Committee meeting, councillors will be asked to approve cuts worth £500,000 to two schemes that fall under its preventative support service.

This includes about £300,000 from its Home Improvement Agency (HIA) contract, which offers home improvements and support for older people and often those leaving hospital

A cut of £200,000 from a part of its 'Help When You Need It' budget's support services for adults with mental health problems or HIV in sheltered housing is also proposed.

'Unintended consequences'

A report prepared for Monday's meeting said: "Despite the challenge these savings targets provide, it is positive ASC (Adult Social Care) still has funding available for preventative services in Bristol, to support people to remain well within their community and thrive."

However, Brunel Care, which delivers the sheltered housing scheme, has warned against the cuts.

"We know our tenants, we have a good relationship with them," said Janice Clements, Brunel's Housing Support Co-ordinator.

"If they're left to their own devices, I think a lot would go into crisis."

Deborah Cooper, who lives at Brunel Care's Maple Close site in Stockwood, said losing the help of her support worker "doesn't bear thinking about."

She has reading difficulties, and gets extra support with things such as benefits and bills.

"She [ her support worker] tells me not to worry about certain things.

"I can talk to her about anything. I don't know where I'd be without her," Ms Cooper added.

Michelle Richards, Brunel Care's Housing Services Director said: "I absolutely understand the plight of the Council, but £200,000 is a drop in the ocean of their overspend."

"The unintended consequences will cost so much more."