Decision details

Date of Decision:

24 May 2022

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Ian Spicer

Strategic Director, Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health Sub-Scheme of Delegation:

In respect of all financial matters:

Authorisation to spend within approved budgets subject to the policies, Financial and Procurement Procedure Rules of the Council

Brief Description of Decision:

That Crossroads Care Rotherham be awarded a one-off grant of £75,000 to enable them to continue to employ staff to provide the Carers Information and Support Service for 12 months from June 2022. 

Reasons for the Decision:

Crossroads Care Rotherham support services offered to carers at the start of their caring journey. This is a critical point in enabling carers to build the resilience, skills and knowledge that they need to cope with the responsibility of 24/7 care.  This is more vital than ever given the impact of Covid-19.  Crossroad Care Rotherham’s offer is well established and includes virtual and face to face services that provide respite and support carers to care.

The Grant will secure the staff for a further 12 months from June 2022, delivering to 650 carers and cared for people. This is an inclusive, all age offer supporting all ethnicities, disabilities and health conditions. In addition, 45 regular volunteers support the service delivery actively contributing to the work of the organisation.

Crossroads Care Rotherham have delivered a range of services to support carers through external grant funding from a variety of funding sources during financial year 2021/22. This funding is due to come to an end on 30th May 2022. Crossroads Care Rotherham are facing a deficit of between £97,000-£102,000 for the majority of 2022/3. They have indicated that they cannot afford to continue to provide these services beyond 30th May 2022 and will have to make three staff redundant along with ceasing their therapeutic offer.

The have applied to various other funding sources and have been unsuccessful.

The Council is to award a one off Grant of £75,000 to allow Crossroads Care Rotherham to continue to employ three members of staff from June 2022 to May 2023 to provide the well-established Carers Information and Support Service.

Crossroads Care Rotherham will continue to source funding to employ the staff and continue the service post May 2023.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

The option of not doing anything was rejected as non-provision of the service could lead to an increased demand on partner organisations for both advice and support and for more expensive formal care services should an unpaid career be no longer able to fulfil their caring role.

Failure to provide this one-off grant could lead to the loss of the main provider of support to unpaid carers in the Borough. 

The Council’s Carers Strategy states our intention to maintain and improve our offer to unpaid carers.  The decision supports the objectives set out in the strategy.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

No conflicts of interest declared.

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

N/A

Reports or parts of reports considered

None considered.