Setting an Indicative Budget

1. Using this Procedure

This procedure will explain what an indicative budget is, how to set one and what to do if the budget that is set is not sufficient to meet the person's eligible needs.

Note: This procedure is used by all of the following teams and services:

1. Sensory Team;
2. Community and Hospital Assessment Team;
3. Locality Teams;
4. Enablement and Assessment Team; and
5. Long Term & Move on Review and Support Teams.

2. Understanding what an Indicative Budget is

An indicative budget is a 'ball-park' figure calculated immediately following the assessment. It estimates the amount of money it may take to meet eligible needs and is based on information gathered during any assessment process.

3. Why an Indicative Budget is Important

An indicative budget is important because it helps the person/carer (and anyone supporting them) to develop a Care and Support/Support Plan and make appropriate choices about how their needs can be met. Knowing how much financial resource is available manages expectations and reduces the risk of dissatisfaction when the final personal budget is agreed.

4. When an Indicative Budget Should be Set

In order for the personal budget approach to be successful, the indicative budget should be set before the Care and Support/Support planning process begins.

Starting any planning process without having a clear indicative budget should be avoided.

5. The Process of Setting an Indicative Budget

The process of setting an indicative budget should be timely, transparent and ensure a sufficient amount to meet the identified eligible needs.

Click here to read what the Care Act says about setting indicative and personal budgets, including more about what is meant by the terms timely, transparent and sufficient.

The Local Authority uses a Resource Allocation System (RAS) to set indicative personal budgets following assessment.

6. Sharing the Indicative Budget

The indicative budget must be shared with the following people as soon as it is known:

1. The person whose needs are to be met;
2. Any advocate involved; and
3. Anyone else involved in the Care and Support planning process.

You should also make available any information to explain how the indicative budget amount was reached.

The general Local Authority letter template should be used for this purpose. Click here to access it.

If it is available the outcome of any financial assessment process being carried out should also be made available at this stage. Understanding the implications for their personal finances can influence the options that a person chooses to explore during Care and Support planning.

7. What to do if the Indicative Budget is not Sufficient

The indicative budget is only an estimation of the amount it may cost to meet eligible needs. It will be refined during the Care and Support/Support planning process and the final personal budget that is agreed may be higher or lower than the indicative budget.

However, despite being estimated, the indicative budget should still be sufficient to support effective Care and Support/Support planning.

If you do not feel it is sufficient

If you are of the view that the indicative budget is not sufficient to support effective Care and Support planning you should;

1. Review the formal record of the person's needs to ensure that you have not made any recording errors; and
2. Review the process that you followed to set the indicative budget to ensure that you followed all the required steps.

If you continue to have concerns about the sufficiency of the indicative budget you should speak to your line manager to agree further action required and next steps.

Whenever decisions about indicative and personal budgets are being reviewed regard should be given to the statutory requirements for setting budgets under the Care Act, which can be accessed by clicking here.

If the person (or their representative) does not feel it is sufficient

Sometimes a person/carer (or their representative) may feel that the indicative personal budget is not sufficient. If you are in agreement with this you should follow the steps outlined above.

However, if you feel that the budget is sufficient to commence Care and Support/Support planning you should:

1. Provide information about the process used to set indicative budgets;
2. Encourage them to engage with the Care and Support/Support planning process;
3. Explain that, during the Care and Support/Support planning process the final personal budget will be decided and that, if necessary, may be higher than the indicative budget amount.

Despite reassurances the person/carer may continue to be dissatisfied with the indicative personal budget amount and in this case, you must make them aware of their right to complain.