On 5th November 2024 the States published the Supported Living and Ageing Well (SLAWS) Findings Report, “Working toward a new model for community long-term care”. SLAWS is important as it will determine what type and quantity of community care will be provided, how it will be paid for and how the quality of that care will be regulated and monitored.

You can read this report in full by clicking on the image or the button below.

The report outlines 17 interdependent workstreams as shown below.

The States have recently agreed to increase the rates of long-term care benefit, respite benefit and the rate of the co-payment, by 4.5%, this being the rate of RPIX as at the end of June 2024. These are intended to be interim, short-term rates pending finalisation and States’ consideration in early 2025 of the full package of funding proposals to maintain the current model.

The range of proposals may include a wider review of the rates payable to care homes and the approach to future uprating of the benefit rates to align with the ‘true costs’ of delivering long-term care, as well as options for improving the sustainability of the Fund.

The States will need to focus on three key aspects:

Time is limited. With demand for care projected to soon outstrip supply and costs rising all the time, potential options for a new model and how it is funded in the long-term will need to be presented to the States as early as possible in the next term.

Consider solutions within the broader context. This will include the States considering how it aligns with the agreed strategic direction for sustainable health and care services, as outlined in the Partnership of Purpose, and corresponding changes to the delivery of health and social care. This will help ensure the provision of quality care that is person centred and supports people in safely living independently for longer within a model that is fair, accessible and affordable.

The States’ funding shortfall is forecast to rise by about £100 million a year by 2040 due to population changes.

For more information from the States on SLAWS go to its website by clicking the button below.