MENCAP RESPONDS TO SKILLS FOR CARE REPORT 'STATE OF THE ADULT SOCIAL CARE SECTOR AND WORKFORCE IN ENGLAND'
Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive of Mencap, the
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
charity and
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
provider, said:
“As the Government The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much tax people should pay for things and how things like the National Health Service should work. shapes the future of social care reform, this report offers a timely reminder of what’s at stake for those who rely on support every day.
“For people with a learning disability, workforce shortages aren’t simply a staffing issue. They can mean missed opportunities, reduced
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
and greater uncertainty about the support they rely on every day.
“Crucially, this report also shows what works. Better pay, training, qualifications and
employment
Employment means having a job.
conditions all improve retention and help deliver better quality care.
“At a time when social care is still struggling to fill vacancies, the government must not create further uncertainty for the international care workers who underpin the sector. Decisions on leave to remain should support workforce stability, not risk driving experienced care workers away from services that millions of people rely on.
“We hope Baroness Casey’s review and the government’s forthcoming Workforce Action Plan will lay the foundations for a sustainable future for social care. That means delivering a fully funded Fair Pay Agreement that genuinely improves pay and conditions for care workers, on a par with their NHS The NHS is the National Health Service. The NHS gives free healthcare to everyone in the UK and includes things like your GP (doctors) surgery and hospitals. colleagues. People who draw on care and support, providers, and local authorities A local authority is another name for your local council. It is a group of people whose job is to look after the area where you live. Local authorities means more than one local authority. cannot be expected to pick up the bill.
“The government now has a clear opportunity to address the workforce crisis. But reform without investment will not deliver the change so many people need.”
Note to editors
About Mencap
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and they deserve to live their life to the full. So Mencap supports people with a learning disability to succeed in the things that matter to them. To ensure that people with a learning disability are not left behind at any stage of their life, we campaign A campaign is when people work together to try to change something. for a fairer society; work with families and partners to build inclusive communities; and we deliver person-centred services. We’ve spent 80 years changing lives. Now, with Mencap 2030, we’re changing the future.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
