Adult Social Care - Self-funders fee

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 considering introducing a charge for self-funders to cover the administration costs associated with arranging and coordinating their care.

Who is a self-funder?

Under Government guidance, people with savings of more than £23,250 are categorised as being able to afford to pay the full cost of their care and support. They are not eligible for Council-funded care, but they can still ask the Council to arrange and coordinate their care.

These people are termed “self-funders.”

By asking the Council to arrange and coordinate their care, self-funders can access the Council’s preferential rates with care agencies. These rates may be lower than the rates self-funders would pay if they chose to arrange their care on their own.

The Care Act 2014 allows for councils to charge an arrangement fee, many of which have already introduced this across London and other parts of the country. It sets out that the fee should include the cost of negotiating and managing the contract with the care provider and cover administration costs.

Currently, the Council arranges and coordinates self-funders’ care for free. It pays self-funders’ bills associated with their care, and then sends them invoices on a weekly basis. 

If a person’s savings drops below £23,250, they become eligible for Council-funded care and they can ask the Council to assess their financial position if needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions on self-funders fee

1. What is this consultation about? 

This consultation asks responders’ views on introducing an administration fee for people who pay the full cost of their care and support, but ask the Council to arrange this for them. These people are also known as self-funders. 

2. Who is a ‘self-funder’? 

If someone has more than £23,250 in savings and investments, the Care Act 2014 categorises them as a self-funder. A self-funder must pay for the costs of their care and support, with no financial help from the Council. As a self-funder you can either:

  • arrange your own care,

  • ask us to arrange your care, at no extra cost currently,

  • however you choose to arrange your care, you must pay for all of it. 

3. Why is the administration fee being considered?   

When self-funders ask the Council to arrange their care for them, council staff must spend time completing a range of tasks. These include:  

  • Searching for the appropriate care provider to meet someone’s needs and preferences 
  • Negotiating the cost of someone’s care and support at Council rates and putting a contract in place for this 

The administration fee covers the Council’s costs for finding and contracting with a care provider, managing payments to the care provider, managing invoices, assessing the quality-of-care services, and dealing with complaints and enquiries related to care and invoicing. 

 

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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