Self-funding social care: experiences of navigating the system in Rutland

Healthwatch Rutland was commissioned by Rutland County Council to engage with people in the county to find out about their experiences of the information, advice and guidance that is available to social care self-funders and what they need to help make the best decisions.  They got feedback from 124 people via a survey, interviews and focus groups.

The project explored the experiences of self-funders navigating the social care system in Rutland. Some participants in the project have found their journey to be easy and have been happy with the outcomes. However, many individuals and their families funding their own care feel isolated in the process, lacking clear guidance on available services, financial planning, and decision-making. In order to make good decisions about getting the right care in the right place at the right time, the system expects them to independently source reliable information, understand complex financial policies, make objective care decisions and manage ongoing care arrangements, often without prior experience or support. 

People put off planning and paying for social care and their first experiences of navigating the system works can be in a crisis situation. For people with little prior knowledge of the financial considerations, the cost is perceived to be high and there is resistance to buying in to it. In addition, with rising costs in the social care market in recent years, savings can be eroded very quickly. Consequently, self-funders are anxious about what will happen as funds become depleted and when deteriorating health means more care is needed.

The report contains five recommendations about improving public awareness and information.