Choosing a more expensive home?

Where you qualify for Council help with payment of your fees and the Council can find you a suitable home within their usual costs you can only choose a more expensive home if:

•  Someone else (for example a relative, friend or charitable organisation) agrees to pay a ‘top up’, i.e. the difference between the actual fee for the placement and the amount the Council would usually have expected to pay for similar suitable accommodation, i.e. the usual cost. The person who agrees to pay the top up is referred to as a third party sponsor.
• Very exceptionally if you are being funded under property disregard or deferred payment schemes, you could pay the difference from your own funds. Failure to keep up top up payments is likely to result in your being asked to move to a suitable alternative home, available at a cost the Council would usually expect to pay.

You and your family can discuss top up arrangements with your Social Worker who can provide further information to you and to anyone who might be prepared to act as your third party sponsor.