Two years after the reforms were published, they are finally going ahead! In April, the government unveiled its “next steps” paper on social care reform, which serves as the implementation plan for the 2021 White Paper. There have been mixed responses, with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) declaring that the reform vision is in “tatters” and Care England welcoming the government’s plan but expressing disappointment in the reduction in workforce funding.

Delays

In 2021, the government initially outlined plans including an extended means test, a cap on care costs, and a comprehensive White Paper detailing a decade-long reform journey. The government initially committed £3.6 billion to extend the means test and introduce a cap on care costs. However, implementation has been delayed by two years due to efforts being put into sustaining the system… pushing it beyond the next election cycle.

What we have been told to expect

The April 2023 Government update on funding to “put people at the heart of care” includes the following:

  1. Allocating £100 million to expedite the digitalisation of the sector. This investment will be directed towards digital social care records, enabling staff to access up-to-date information promptly and better meet the needs of individuals receiving care.
  2. Establishing an innovation and improvement unit to explore innovative solutions for enhancing care. This includes assisting local authorities in reducing waiting times for care assessments and taking inspiration from successful areas that have already managed to reduce waiting times by one-third. The unit will receive financial backing of up to £35 million.
  3. Allocating £1.4 billion to the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund, which local authorities can utilise flexibly. This fund can increase the rates paid to social care providers or decrease waiting times, among other options.
  4. Initiating a collaborative call for feedback with Skills for Care regarding a new pathway for the care workforce and financing hundreds of thousands of training opportunities. This includes the introduction of a new Care Certificate qualification. The aim is to enhance career advancement and growth, supported by a budget of £250 million.
  5. Providing £102 million over a span of two years to facilitate minor yet impactful adaptations necessary for individuals to remain at home, retain independence, and avoid hospitalisation. This includes installing grab rails and ramps, conducting minor repairs, and conducting safety and security checks.
  6. Allocating £50 million to enhance insights, data, and quality assurance in social care. This includes collecting person-level data and conducting new assessments by the Care Quality Commission on local authorities to address subpar performance in social care and identify areas requiring further support.

Pledges reduced

Initially, the government pledged £1.7 billion to support broader reforms, with £1.1 billion allocated in the 2021 White Paper. These funds were intended to address workforce training, innovation in housing, digitisation, and support for unpaid carers. However, the subsequent “next steps” plan scaled back the investment to £615 million, leaving £600 million unallocated.

Moving forward with optimism and realism

While some funding has been allocated to address cost pressures, it is essential to continue advocating for comprehensive reforms that genuinely enhance the lives of those dependent on social care services.

 

“Care England has long advocated that independent care sector staff should have appropriate training, fair pay and career structures that mirror their colleagues in the NHS. Today’s publication represents a positive step towards a national workforce strategy, with learning, development and training recognised as critical to workforce planning. Yet, today’s publication remains silent on workforce pay.

 

-Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England,