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July 2002New ILF Information Leaflets and Guidance Notes Jeff Macbeth Customer Services The Customer Services team are well aware of the demand for up-to-date information leaflets and Guidance Notes following the changes from April 2002, and we know it has been frustrating for those of you out in the field. The reason for the delay is that the report, following the Quinquennial Review, recommended that we make our information more accessible, so we have been working with an outside provider who specializes in this area. In particular we will be introducing a comprehensive User Guide. The final drafts are being proofread for content, and are expected to be available by August. We would like to apologise for the delay, but the whole process has taken longer than we originally expected. The Guidance Notes have also been problematic in that there are certain areas of policy that we have not been able to include until the Funds' Trust Deeds have been properly drawn up, and this is also taking longer than anticipated. We hope we will have the Guidance Notes available by September, and we will keep you updated. Contact Officer Strategy Robyn Lewis Customer Services The Quinquennial Review noted the importance of the Funds’ Contact Officer (C/O) network. Following this Customer services have agreed a strategy for our C/O network. We expect that no LA should be without a C/O for more than 3 months We will ensure that each LA will have the opportunity to have a C/O represent them at an information day organised by the ILF at least once biannually. To assist us in meeting the above aims can you please ensure that the nominated C/O for your LA informs the Fund if they relinquish the role, and they provide us with details of the new person who will take over? Backdating Payments Jon Duckworth 1993 Fund Manager Something LAs are always keen to find out is whether ILF payments can be backdated. With this in mind, here's a recap of ILF policy. With new cases, the 1993 Fund will only consider paying from the date an offer is authorised - effectively, the date we have agreed to fund towards care. If care has been employed prior to the ILF making an offer, the Fund should not backdate its payments to cover this. The LA is the primary care provider and should fund in full the cost of such care. The LASW should be made aware of the risks involved in employing care before the ILF have approved an offer. They should remember that the outcome of the assessment is not guaranteed, as it is still possible for a claim to be rejected following a Joint Visit. For both Funds when the ILF has made an offer there is sometimes a delay in putting the award into payment. While the Fund can consider making payments from the date the offer was authorised, it cannot backdate more than 12 weeks without evidence that the care has been employed at the correct rate. (In these circumstances we will generally ask the client to supply invoices or signed statements from personal assistants to support the request for backdating.) The ILF policy on backdating distinguishes between new cases (1993 Fund only) and cases that are already in payment. Where a client is already receiving an ILF award, and has had an increase in this award, the Funds can consider paying from a date prior to the date of authorisation. We may still need verification of care employed. Verification will definitely be required if the request is to backdate more than 12 weeks. Third Party Payments Chris Priddle Customer Services To ensure that the client has maximum choice and control of their care package, the Funds normally make payments directly into the client’s bank or building society account. If the client is unable, or unwilling, to manage their own finances, a third party, usually their appointee or power of attorney may receive payments on their behalf, providing they are neither a paid care worker nor an agency providing care. The Funds require written consent from the client or their representative, and all signatories to the alternative account will be asked to complete a Third Party Bank Details Form. This also applies to all joint accounts, even where the client is one of the joint account holders. If the third party is a client’s solicitor, accountant or an advocate, the account name must include the client’s name and/or ILF reference number. In this case, a named individual within the department will need to be identified as taking responsibility for administering the payments correctly to meet the agreed costs of care. The Fund may as a last resort allow the LA to accept funding on behalf of a client, but the account must be managed as detailed above. In all circumstances the account holder shares with the client, or their representative, the responsibility for informing the Funds of any changes in circumstances. Signature Requirements on Part One of the Application Form Dave Butcher Registry Manager It should be borne in mind by all social workers (SW) or care managers (CM) when completing the ILF Application Form, the applicant, their appointee, or their power of attorney must sign part one. The form cannot be accepted if it is signed by anyone else, even if the applicant is unable to hold a pen. The applicants’ mark (an X) is acceptable as a signature. However, if they are unable to make a mark the form must be signed by one of the above people. The form cannot be accepted if a SW or CM, or other professional signs part one, unless they are the appointee or the power of the attorney. Delays can occur where Application Forms are not signed by the correct person, as they will be returned to the SW completing part two of the form. Increase Requests – Sally Bestwick 1993 Fund We need help to speed up the assessment process and make life a little easier for ILF clients and ILF case holders. If you think you are up to the challenge, please read on: A reassessment will be required if any change of circumstances occurs. The Funds calculate their assessment based on actual costs of care. If a request is made for a change in a client’s award or we are informed of a change in circumstances, please supply the following: -
These details must be in writing by letter, fax, or email. We look forward to your co-operation, and thank you, in anticipation! Presentation Strategy Lesley Berry Customer Services As you are aware staff from the Fund are able to carry out presentations to LAs. We recently wrote to all the C/Os offering them a presentation. Presentations are allocated on a first come first served basis. Therefore if you have not yet returned your request for a presentation, please do so as soon as possible. If you did not receive your presentation request form, please telephone customer services or email at funds@ilf.org.uk Once we have carried out a presentation for your LA we are unlikely to be able to return for 2 years. Therefore it is essential that all departments responsible for care assessments and the organisation of care packages, be given the opportunity to attend the presentation. If you would like training before or after us visiting your LA, Customer Services can provide you with advice and materials to conduct your own training. Materials we can offer at present are · A floppy disc with relevant information on it for an OHP presentation · Work books/Handouts · Literature Customer Services have received 99 requests for presentations. All of these will be contacted before the end of July to confirm which month we can visit. We will then be back in touch, at least 3 months prior to the month allocated, to arrange the actual date. ILF Policy Day Centre Provision Robyn Lewis Customer Services We are often asked to consider funding for one-to-one care at a day centre. As this issue is quite complex I have enclosed a document detailing at length the Funds policy on this and the information we will require to make a decision. |
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