BIM52795 - Care providers: Adult Carers and Adult Placement Schemes: background

Adult Placement Schemes started in the early 1970s and grew rapidly in the 1990s as a result of the Government's care in the community programme. Local authorities usually run the schemes. Many of the schemes offer not only long term caring but also short term and respite caring.

Typically a full time carer will be paid weekly by the local authority from a mixture of allowances and housing benefit to which their resident is entitled, or residential care allowance. In addition the local authority may add a small top-up payment.

Since 1 April 1993 local authorities have been responsible for assessing the value of the services and accommodation that the resident requires and for paying carers. The level of payment to carers varies greatly between local authorities and also within individual local authorities' schemes where payment may depend upon the degree of disability and support needed. This diversity is increased because some payments depend upon the residents' preserved rights to benefits under old rules.