Bradford Council proposes changes to social care charges

A mother in Bradford is concerned about changes to care costs for her autistic son. Jo Brearton, who cares for her 26-year-old son Danny Durn, relies on a day of respite care each week. This care is vital for both her and Danny, who is non-verbal. She fears that proposed changes to adult social care charges could make it too expensive for her to afford. Bradford Council is currently consulting on these changes. They plan to reassess financial circumstances before implementing any new charges. Currently, people have a 25% "discretionary buffer" above a government-set minimum income. The council aims to remove this buffer, which would considerably raise the cost of care for many families. Ms. Brearton pays £21.90 a week for Danny to attend the Big Soup centre. Under the new proposals, her costs could increase to £71.60 a week. She expressed that finding an extra £200 a month is impossible for her. The council has been facing serious financial challenges, recently approving a tax increase to address a £50 million budget gap. The stress of potentially losing essential support has affected Ms. Brearton’s mental health. She describes the emotional toll of managing her son's autism without sufficient help. The council has reached out to those receiving adult social care services to encourage feedback on the proposed changes. They emphasize their commitment to helping over 4,000 people in the local community who need support.