Bristol Council withdraw disability care policy

Disability campaigners say "there's more work to do" after successfully fighting a proposed care policy.

Bristol City Council has withdrawn its Fair & Affordable Care Policy to put disabled people into homes if their residential care was too expensive.

But some Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living (BRIL) campaigners are concerned the policy will reappear once again without consultation.

"The key word is withdrawn. It hasn't been cancelled," said Val Stanfield.

The proposed policy by the council tried to reduce the cost of disability care as a result of "chronic underfunding" from the government for the Adult Social Care sector.

Cost saving proposals included installing ceiling hoists in homes rather than funding a care worker or personal assistant (PA).

Disabled campaigners appealed to barristers that moving forward with the policy would infringe on their human rights.

The group advocates for independent living, allowing people to choose whether to stay in their own home and have their care needs met there.

Campaigner Mark Williams said: "People will lose their independence, it will affect their mental health, and it would put the disability movement back by 40 years.

"We are not the problem," he added.

Adult social care chief, Councillor Helen Holland, assured campaigners the council will instead work on a "future policy" which fits within the agreed budget, whilst meeting the diverse needs of the population.

"In June 2023, Bristol City Council Cabinet took a decision to consult on the Fair and Affordable Care policy and to bring a final version back to cabinet for a decision," she said.

"In discussion with the Mayor, we have now agreed that the policy will not be taken forward at this time, and that officers will work on the basis that a future policy will come forward to a future administration for a decision.

"The work that individuals and organisations have put into responding to us in recent months will not be wasted, as we will share the consultation responses and the independent legal advice that was jointly requested to inform the ongoing work," she added.

However, some people believe the controversial policy might once again rear its head.

"It's not over, there's more work to do," said Mr Williams.

"We are very happy on one point but we don't want it to come in through the back door."

In response to the concerns, Bristol City Council said a new budget allocation framework will be developed by October this year.

"Like all councils, we continue to face a cost of operating crisis after social care costs and demand have risen significantly over recent years.

"Despite this challenge, and continuing national austerity, we have delivered and will continue to deliver our duties in line with the Care Act."

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