Social Care

Labour's Silence on Social Care Sparks Alarm Among Sector Leaders

Social care leaders have criticised Labour for abandoning key commitments, including a cap on care costs and a training fund for 37,000 care workers. They warn that without urgent action, the sector will face severe crises. Labour's focus on the NHS over social care is seen as a critical oversight, given the interdependence of the two sectors.

The sector is grappling with over 100,000 staff vacancies, exacerbated by immigration controls and low pay. Leaders stress the need for a National Care Service and better workforce support to address these challenges. They urge the government to prioritise social care reforms to prevent future tragedies and ensure high-quality care.

Social Care

Councils Increase Social Care Spending by £2.3bn in 2023-24

Councils increased social care spending by £2.3bn (6.6%) in 2023-24, driven by a significant boost in government funding. Key allocations included a £1.36bn rise in the social care grant and a £475m increase in the market sustainability fund. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, such as 420,000 people waiting for assessments and 131,000 vacancies in the adult social care sector.

• Adult services saw a £1.5bn increase, with notable rises in spending on older people and adults with learning disabilities.

• Children's services expenditure rose by £821m, primarily for looked-after children.

• Further increases in social care spending are planned for 2024-25, but significant pressures persist.

Social Care

Skills for Care Launches Workforce Strategy Campaign

Skills for Care (SfC) has launched the "Driving change in social care" campaign to promote its Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care. This initiative aims to address the challenges of recruitment, retention, and training within the sector. The strategy, developed with input from hundreds of stakeholders, seeks to create a sustainable, skilled, and motivated workforce capable of delivering high-quality care.

The campaign comes in response to the government's Care Workforce Pathway, introduced after restricting migrant care workers from bringing dependants. With the aging population and increasing care needs, SfC projects a need for 540,000 new posts by 2040. The strategy emphasises the urgency of adopting its recommendations to ensure the sector's future stability and effectiveness.

Public Safety

England Mandates Sprinklers in Care Homes by March 2025

Westminster mandates sprinklers in English care homes starting March 2025, following Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations. Building safety and homelessness minister Rushanara Ali confirmed the decision, emphasising enhanced fire protection for vulnerable residents.

The UK Government's response to the Grenfell disaster includes new fire safety and evacuation procedures. Care homes, regardless of height, must comply by March 2025, with a six-month transition period. The Fire Industry Association raises concerns about compliance and alternative technologies.

Recent incidents, such as HC-One's fine over a fire death, underscore the urgency. Ali's statement highlights the need for certainty for businesses and investors, ensuring current projects can adapt to the new regulations.

Healthcare

Home Care Provider in Special Measures After Financial Abuse Reports

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has placed East Anglia Domiciliary Care Branch in special measures after rating it Inadequate due to reports of financial abuse. The service, run by Ambient Support, assists people with learning disabilities and autism in Norfolk and Suffolk. Inspectors found staff misusing clients' money and identified a lack of proper training and respect for clients' human rights.

Stuart Dunn, CQC deputy director, highlighted issues such as staff preventing clients from leaving their homes and performing intimate care without consent. The service's ratings for safety and leadership dropped from Good to Inadequate, while other areas fell to Requires Improvement. A warning notice was issued, and the service will be closely monitored to ensure immediate improvements.

Social Care

Kent Disabled Residents Face Sharp Care Cost Increases

Disabled residents in Kent are outraged by the county council's decision to significantly increase care costs, with charges for some more than quadrupling. The council now includes additional benefits like the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in its means testing, leading to higher contributions from residents.

Peter Zein, who has cerebral palsy, and Bernadette John, whose son Nathan is affected, express deep concern over the financial strain. The council, facing a need to save over £87 million, argues that these tough decisions are necessary to sustain future services. Critics, including Sophie Fournel of Disability Assist, urge the council to reconsider, highlighting the severe impact on vulnerable individuals.