Care England has scotched suggestions that social care organisations should merge to strengthen lobbying efforts for post-Covid sector reform.
Chief executive Martin Green (pictured) dismissed calls by the Independent Care Group for the former to join forces with other trade bodies like the National Care Association, United Kingdom Homecare Association and the National Care Forum.
Green told The Care Home Environment that suggestions by ICG chairman Mike Padgham that merged care organisations would speak more loudly are a “complete myth”.
“This is far from the truth. Government is cherry picking who it listens to and we must not mistake listening for meaningful influence or co-production.”
Green continued: “Those who have been in the sector long will be able to reminisce about past mergers, some successful and some catastrophic, but arguably the outcome has not been a resounding lone voice that is listened to.
“Not to mention the actual process of merging is hugely time consuming and in the current climate time is one luxury that we simply do not have.”
Green said Care England subscribes to the Care Provider Alliance, which brings together the ten main national associations for independent and voluntary adult social care providers in England.
He recommended that all care providers subscribe to a representative body “thus allowing strength through a collective view”.
“One of the benefits of this sector is the plurality and how broad the representative bodies can be. Care England, for example, has so many different members ranging from the very small, medium, charitable and for profit, yet they are all united in their common purpose and the intel that they need to run efficient and compassionate services.”
Green continued: “All bodies would be on the same page when it came to crucial issues such as funding, staffing, recognition and our interface with the NHS.
