Worcestershire considers transferring management of vulnerable adults’ finances to save £175,000 a year
Cabinet to decide on the closure of in-house service and launch consultation for existing clients
Worcestershire County Council is considering plans to transfer the financial management of 144 vulnerable adults to external providers as part of a proposal to save around £175,000 annually.
The proposal involves closing the council’s in-house Appointees and Deputies Service, which oversees benefits, care payments, and other financial affairs for individuals lacking the mental capacity to manage their own money and without any other support.
A decision on the closure and an accompanying consultation will be made during a cabinet meeting on 22nd October 2026.
The service has mostly stopped accepting new clients since June 2024, with only four exceptional cases handled due to capacity issues and staff sickness, directing others to external providers.
The existing service costs the council approximately £304,663 per year, generating around £130,000 and leaving a £174,663 subsided shortfall, recovering only 43 percent of costs through fees.
Three options are under review — maintaining the current service, transferring clients over two years, or completing an accelerated transfer within 12 months, which could achieve the full annual savings by 2028/29.
According to the proposals, alternative arrangements must be in place for each individual before responsibility is lawfully transferred, ensuring no one is left without representation.
The transfer process could necessitate around 100 Court of Protection applications, with associated costs estimated at £42,000.
The potential closure could impact six employees, although alternative redeployment opportunities within the council could be explored.
If approved, the 12-week consultation is set to run from 2nd November 2026 until 25th January 2027.