Care Sector Insight (31.05.2024)

 

A Message from our CEO

“Despite the fact that there has been little national attention to social care in the first week of the election campaign, local candidates and current MPs have shown that they know it is an issue for their constituents. The day after the announcement of the election date, Care England contacted all candidates and asked them to ensure social care was important and that they visited care homes in their constituencies. In the first week, we were approached by over 60 candidates, all of whom wanted to visit a local care home.
 
This is welcome news, and it is an opportunity for us to underscore the importance of social care and the need for a long-term and strategic approach from any incoming government. I hope this interest in our sector is not only part of the campaign, but it must be one of the incoming government's key priorities. “

Professor Martin Green OBE,
Chief Executive, Care England

Policy Highlights

Government’s Response to The Committees Report, Reforming adult social care in England
Following the publication of Reforming adult social care in England by the House of Commons, Committee of Public Accounts (PAC), the government has published a response to the report. The points made include:

  • Evaluation of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs): The government will consolidate and make ICS performance data accessible by Summer 2024 to assess their impact on adult social care.

  • Value for Money in Additional Funding: The government will ensure transparency and accountability in adult social care funding by requiring local authorities to report on performance and submit spending plans for 2023-24 and 2024-25.

  • Stable Funding for Local Authorities: The government aims to provide long-term funding stability for local authorities in the next spending review, recognising its importance for effective planning in adult social care.

  • Addressing Workforce Shortages: The government will reduce vacancies, support ethical international recruitment, and invest in workforce training to address adult social care workforce challenges.

  • Workforce Reforms and Payment System: The government will update on workforce reform projects and a new payment system, with payments starting by June 2024. Employers can soon claim for training and qualifications.

  • Roadmap for Adult Social Care Reform: The government will not publish a detailed roadmap but remains committed to transparency and references its 10-year vision and recent reform updates. Future plans will depend on spending reviews and fiscal events.

 
Care EnglandSupport Remote Digitalcare sector insights, care england