An independent financial impact assessment report involving a number of VODG members who come under the Care Quality Commission’s Market Oversight Scheme has revealed the current state of funding risks denying people with a learning disability and autistic people their right to decent, fulfilling and stable social care.
Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, said:
“Behind the stark figures in this report are the lives of people with a learning disability and autism who require social care to enable them to lead independent and fulfilling lives. This report confirms what the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group has been telling government for some time – that the current funding envelope is inadequate and coupled with severe inflationary pressures is very quickly pushing services to the brink.
We must not lose sight of the human impact of depleted services. Rising levels of unmet need are depleting the quality of people’s lives. For our valued care staff, a race to the bottom is unacceptable and we need government to urgently step in and align social care pay to NHS Pay Bands as recommended in this report.
We are no longer speaking about risks. The issues are with us and government has a responsibility to address them. Today government can choose to take action by providing emergency funding to support the care workforce this winter ahead of action on pay.”