In response to the ADASS Spring Survey report, published Wednesday 21 June, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), says:
‘This report yet again paints a bleak picture of people’s care and support at breaking point.
‘Despite the incredible commitment of social care teams, carers and families, the report clearly demonstrates how most commissioners do not feel confident that they can meet the minimum social care support required by law. It is a shocking policy failure of a system that has been overlooked by government for too long, that essential care and support is reduced to below minimum thresholds.
‘Social care is a critical bedrock to enabling millions of people to live independent and fulfilling lives. We need to invest in our care workforce, whose low pay is causing hardship to millions of individuals and families across the country. We have long called for the government to properly fund social care and to align the social care workforce, including pay, with that of the NHS.
‘More of the same is not enough. There needs to be more funding, a new approach to commissioning, recognition of the vital role of the third sector within the wider system, and renewed efforts to put people at the heart of the support they need. Without it, the system will continue to exist in crisis and in doing so, fails to meet the needs of those who need it the most.’
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Notes
The ADASS Spring Survey Report can be found here: https://www.adass.org.uk/adass-spring-survey-2023-final-report-and-press-release
Main findings from the survey of social care leaders shows 'short-term funding boosts from Government have helped reduce the number of people waiting for care and increased support for people at home. But increases in care delivered are not keeping pace with increased needs.'
Care waiting lists remain high alongsise 'a record NHS backlog, rising mental health needs, support around domestic abuse of people with care and support needs, and carer breakdown.' This means that 'most councils are not confident they can offer the minimum social care support in their communities required by law.'
To improve social care, boost the economy and better help carers, social care leaders are calling on the Government to commit to:
- Invest in support that helps people avoid the need to go to hospital or a care home, and support for people to recover, get back on their feet and back home after hospital during this winter
- Increase support to carers and improve workforce pay: international recruitment is not a long term fix
- a fully funded, long-term plan to transform social care to ensure everyone in England can get the care and support they need when they need it.