According to the report, almost 7 in 10 directors say that care providers in their area have closed, ceased trading or handed back contracts to local councils. Many more cannot deliver the increased care and support needed due to staffing shortfalls. Existing challenges of rising requests for support, increasing complexity of care required, fragile care markets, and an underpaid, undervalued and overstretched workforce, risks being compounded by the current cost-of-living crisis. People who need care and support, unpaid carers and those who work in adult social care are amongst the most exposed.
Read the full report online here: https://www.adass.org.uk/adass-spring-budget-survey-2022
Edel Harris OBE, Chief Executive at learning disability charity Mencap said: “We’re deeply concerned by these findings, which show how stretched the social care sector has become. Many of the 1.5 million people across the UK living with a learning disability rely on social care to support them with day to day life. Some only get a few hours a week to help with budgeting and shopping, but this is vital if they are to survive the current cost-of-living crisis. Local Authorities need more money to support people properly. Cutting back on care is a false economy as it can cost the public purse much more to pick up the pieces – not to mention the often tragic human cost.
Support workers also deserve better pay. They work very hard at a very important job, yet their skills are being taken for granted. Many are being forced out because they can no longer afford to do the job they love, which means the sector is currently reliant on the good will of good people – which is simply unsustainable.
Whoever takes over as Prime Minister needs to act fast to fulfil the government’s commitment to fix social care.”