Adult Social Care - Client Affairs charges

Feedback updated 25 Jun 2026

We asked

Outcome of the consultation on proposed charges for self-funders and Appointeeship services: 

Kensington and Chelsea Council proposed new charges for those who choose to use the Council to administer their non-residential care through a self-funding care scheme, as well as those residents where we act as the Appointee for State Benefit. An Appointee is a person or organisation authorised by the Department for Work and Pensions to manage benefits for someone unable to do so themselves due to mental incapacity or severe disability. 

A consultation was carried out between November 2025 and January 2026 where we wrote to all Adult Social Care service users, including those who would be affected by the proposals.

You said

Of the 132 people who are self-funders in the borough, we received a total of seven responses, with five people opposed to the proposals. We also received three responses for the Appointee for State Benefit, with two opposed and one supportive of the proposals.

We did

All public sector bodies are in very difficult financial circumstances and councils are under pressure to continue to support their most vulnerable residents and deliver core frontline services for all residents, but with significantly less money because of the Government’s Fair Funding Review. Kensington and Chelsea must make £108 million of savings over the next four years and in these circumstances, together with the comparatively low response rate to the survey, the Council felt it should continue with the proposals it put forward.

Self-funders are not eligible for council-funded care under the Care Act 2014 because they have savings of more than £23,250 and people do not need to use the Council to administer these services.

Although the Council is introducing charges, these council services will continue to offer good value for money and are below what other councils already charge their residents for the same service.  

If any self-funder affected by this decision does become eligible for support under the Care Act 2014, their case will be reassessed.

Closed 9 Jan 2026

Opened 13 Nov 2025

Contact

ASCHconsultations@rbkc.gov.uk

Overview

The Fair Funding Review 2.0 is expected to reduce the resources available in the Council’s budget. At the same time, the cost of providing services is increasing – particularly in areas such as children’s and adult social care, homelessness support, and temporary accommodation. 

To manage the effects of these factors on the Council’s adult social care services, Kensington and Chelsea Council and Westminster City Council are now considering introducing a charge to act as an Appointee for state benefits. 

The Council acts as Appointee for State Benefit when a person lacks the mental capacity to do so themselves, and has no other person willing and suitable to do so. In some cases where a person has income other than State Benefits or has higher assets the Council applies to the Court of Protection to be appointed as Deputy for Financial Affairs.  In these cases the Council already receives a fee for providing this service, which is set by the Court. 

The fee for acting as Deputy is based on a person’s assets and is a maximum of £824 per year.  If a person has less than £20,500 they will pay 3.5% of the value of their assets.  No charge is made to people with assets below £3,000. 

Frequently Asked Questions on the charges

1. What is this consultation about? 

  • This consultation asks responders’ views on introducing an administration fee for people for who the Council acts as Appointee for State Benefit.  

2. What is an Appointee for State benefit?  

  • If someone lacks the mental capacity to manage their own finances the Department of Work and Pensions can appoint someone to receive their State Benefits and use these in the person’s best interests.

3. Why is the administration fee being considered?   

  • The administration fee covers the Council’s costs for making State Benefit claims, receiving income, holding funds and spending these in the best interest of the person.  This will include paying all their bills and ensuring they have access to sufficient funds to meet their daily living expenses. 

 

 

Why your views matter

Please leave your feedback by completing our survey. If you require this survey in a different format or require assistance in another language please contact ASCHconsultations@rbkc.gov.uk.

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