Wrexham councillors face scrutiny over a £6.9m shortfall in the Social Care budget, prompting efforts to find savings.
The social care budget is £101 million, with Adult services receiving £63.7 million and Children’s services getting £37.3 million. Of this, children’s placements cost £23 million.
Month eight shows a £6.9 million pressure. Direct payments, home care for seniors, and supported living placements all contribute to the issue, with children’s placements being a significant concern.
Children’s placements alone face a £3.5 million pressure. Finding placements is difficult, and residential spots are both costly and limited. The few remaining spots are especially expensive.
Corporate parenting has a £2.9 million issue, primarily due to staffing costs, which is a nationwide problem. Recruitment campaigns are being used to address this, and fostering currently has four agency positions open.
The older people’s budget faces a £216k pressure, with residential care placements rising slightly. Disability services have a £1.2 million issue as the supported living budget falls short, and health partners owe £437,000.
Adult registered services need £724k, while children’s registered services need £678k.
Efforts are underway to cut children’s placement costs, with heads of service overseeing the budget. Cases are tracked weekly and monthly, aiming to move kids from high-cost spots.
Two new children’s homes are coming, and it is anticipated that children should move in soon. Hiring is underway for the second home, and two foster carers are ready. Furthermore, a child recently left residential care.
High-cost placements are under review, with a target of £500,000 in savings. They will review all potentially reducible placements this year.
The committee will discuss this on Wednesday and then create recommendations.