Care England has called a proposed 10% funding increase for adult social care by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) “derisory”.
The representative body for independent providers of adult social care said the proposal is “insufficient” and encouraged providers to get in touch with their local authority using a framework that Care England has set up for members detailing extra costs for Covid-19.
“If local government cannot reconcile funding for adult social care and thus does not have the money to fund care home beds for existing and new residents then we have a serious problem on our hands,” said chief executive Martin Green.
“It is false economy to underfund the adult social care sector and will also severely impact hospital services,” he added.
Care homes are “right at the bottom of the priority list,” said Green.
“Our own findings however make it clear that a 10% increase will not be sufficient, there is a real danger that this is too little, too late and there simply isn’t time to go cap in hand in weeks and months to come,” he added.
Care England warned some providers will fold without adequate support.
“There is scant recognition of the increased operating costs in this time of crisis despite the President of ADASS advocating the need for more financial support to the sector at his evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee last month,” said Green.
“If they are not supported unfortunately many providers will fold thus leaving our most vulnerable without care at this critical time,” he added.
