Plan to increase maximum home care costs by 21%

The maximum weekly fee people are charged for receiving care in their own homes in Rotherham could rise by 21%, under council plans.

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has said the maximum amount residents are charged would rise from £689 per week to £837 from April 2026.

The change to the care costs cap would apply to non-residential care, such as home visits, day services and help in supported living.

According to the council, only about 25 residents currently meet the maximum care costs cap and the proposals aimed to bring the charges closer to the true cost of providing care.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, raising the cap would mean only six people reach the maximum fee.

The policy would also save up to £85,000 a year, council documents said.

People on low incomes will continue to be financially assessed and will only pay what they can afford.

A second change would introduce a one-off £350 administration fee for people who fund their own care but ask the council to arrange it for them.

About 200 people currently use this service.

The council said it absorbs the cost of arranging care for self-funders, but this is no longer sustainable.

A previously suggested annual fee was dropped after overwhelming public opposition.

Officials stressed that people on low incomes will not be affected by the changes, with all charges set through a means-tested financial assessment.

Councillors will vote on the plans at a meeting on 15 December.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North