Norfolk disability rights campaigner says adult social care needs to be "reimagined"
Two industry groups have told the Government that the sector has reached a 'tipping point'
Last updated 11th Dec 2024
A disability rights campaigner in Norfolk is telling us that the entire adult social care system needs to be "reimagined", so that it better serves those who need it.
It comes as industry groups, Care England and the Homecare Association, have written to the Government warning that rising costs and funding issues are threatening the sector's future.
"People are dying on waiting lists, waiting to be assessed"
Mark Harrison lives in Norwich and works with the 'Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance':
"The Government is failing those who need this care. Many of these people are those who have paid taxes all their lives towards this and other vital public services.
"From what I've seen so far, I haven't seen any indication that the new Labour Government is going to focus on changing the social care system.
"People are dying on waiting lists, waiting to be assessed. After being assessed they are dying on waiting lists for services. I don't think that local and National Government are carrying out their duty of care."
The letter in more detail:
In a letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Care England and the Homecare Association said:
"The sector has reached a tipping point. Local authorities and providers are unanimous in their views on this.
"Without urgent action, we face the risk of widespread failure of many providers, particularly those serving the state-funded market."
Their report on the state of the care market, by industry analysts LaingBuisson, concluded that up to 85% of care provision comes from small and medium-sized businesses, and that the majority of care services are state-funded.
They found this to be the case for 57% of care homes for older people, in 79% of homecare, 89% of care homes for younger adults, and 96% of supported living.
For the minority of providers in older people's residential care and homecare with private-only clients, these tend to be in affluent areas of southern England, the analysis said.
They said budget deficits are "so severe that even big companies relying on government funding are struggling", and that the fact larger providers are struggling means the plight of smaller businesses is "even more serious".
The Government has repeatedly stated that it inherited a social care system "in crisis" but that it is determined to tackle the challenges and build a National Care Service.
But the letter authors said an immediate intervention from Government is needed in the form of at least £2.8 billion investment in the sector, a minimum price to be set to cover services in the form of a National Contract for Care services, and a multi-year funding settlement for social care to meet future demand.
They repeated a call for care providers to be exempted from changes to employer's national insurance contributions (NICs).
Research published last month estimated local authorities providing social care in England could face extra costs of an estimated £1.8 billion as a result of a rise in NICs and wage bills for providers.
The letter stated: "Announcements made in the autumn Budget have caused deep fear among many who commission, provide and receive care and support services.
"The Government has chosen not to respond to representations made by the care and support sector. This suggests a lack of understanding of the sector or a lack of care about those affected. We offer this new and up-to-date evidence to help address the former."
William Laing, chief executive of LaingBuisson, said their analysis, from statutory accounts of providers large enough to post profit and loss, "show providers supporting the state-funded market are struggling".
"Local authorities and providers agree we are at a tipping point"
Jane Townson, chief executive of the Homecare Association, said: "We risk a significant reduction in care and support services.
"This could leave thousands of older and disabled people without essential support; force family members to quit their jobs to provide care; and increase NHS waiting lists.
"Local authorities and providers agree we are at a tipping point and need immediate Government intervention."
Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green said: "The Government is ignoring or not caring about the serious harm their policies are causing.
"When care providers fail, it's not just businesses that collapse. It's entire support systems for people needing and receiving services. The human and economic cost will be devastating."
What's the Government said on this?
The Government says it's working towards building a National Care Service that works for everyone who needs it.