Employee version - Help Shape Care Choices in Staffordshire

Staffordshire County Council is inviting residents to take part in an important consultation to help shape how care and support are offered to adults across the county. Following your feedback, we have created a staff version of Care Choices consultation.

We realise not everyone will have had the opportunity to contribute at the summer conferences, and as experts in your field we want to encourage colleagues across Health and Care to have their say on these policies from a professional point of view.

We want to make sure our policies are clear, fair, and transparent, especially when it comes to choosing care settings and understanding funding responsibilities. Your feedback will help us improve how we support people in making informed decisions about their care.

We’re consulting on two key documents:

📘 Care Home Top-Up Guide

This guide explains when a top-up payment may be needed—such as when someone chooses a care home that costs more than the amount the Council can fund. It covers:

• Who is responsible for top-up payments
• How affordability is assessed
• How top-up agreements are managed

📗 Choice Policy

This policy outlines how the Council supports adults in choosing their care and accommodation—whether that’s in a care home, supported living, or care at home. It aims to balance personal preferences with the need to commission safe, effective, and affordable care.

💬 Why Your Views Matter

Many families are surprised when care costs change, especially if a loved one’s savings run out. This consultation is your chance to help us make our policies easier to understand and plan around—so people know what to expect now and in the future.

Before completing the survey, please read both the Care Home Top-Up Guide and the Choice Policy.

🗓 Consultation dates:
Open: Monday 4 August 2025
Close: Friday 26 September 2025 at 11:59pm