Responding to today’s publication of a new care workforce pathway, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) says:
‘Today, essential care and support for disabled people remains in place on a very uncertain footing because of the funding decisions being made by central government.
‘The new Care Workforce Pathway is a welcome step forward, but we must recognise that this comes at a time of significant pressure for social care services; pressure that risks undermining the potential of this initiative.
‘From a delivery perspective, it is hard to see how the training and qualifications set out will directly address the workforce pressures being faced today. To fully realise the benefits from the workforce pathway we must see social care adequately funded. This will enable organisations to make real investment in workforce development and pay over the long term, thereby encouraging workforce development and progression.
'The government has consistently refused to provide the funding and certainty that not-for-profit organisations desperately need to increase care worker pay. Consequently, third sector providers are left in an impossible situation; committed to delivering high quality support but struggling to fill staff vacancies and facing operating costs rising above commissioned fee rates.
'Without urgent action to address the funding and workforce gaps, essential services will cease to exist with the effect acutely felt by increased demand in the NHS, councils and most importantly rising levels of unmet social care need across local communities.'
- Details of the Government’s Care Workforce Pathway and accompanying guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-workforce-pathway-for-adult-social-care