Website of The Care Home Environment Magazine

People at the Heart of Care reforms ‘in tatters’ says NCF

The National Care Forum has expressed its disappointment after the government significantly reduced its promised support for the social care workforce.

Having promised in its People at the Heart of Care white paper that £1.7bn would be set aside to support the social care workforce and people drawing upon care, the government has now cut that figure to £572m. This includes a reduction of the £500m originally set aside for workforce training, qualifications and wellbeing to £250m.

Responding to the announcement, NCF CEO Professor Vic Rayner OBE said: “The People at the Heart of Care reforms are in tatters. Yet again the government has repackaged and reduced existing promises of support and funding, only to announce them as if they are new. It has now been 16 months since People at the Heart of Care was first published and so far, nothing substantial has been delivered in that time apart from delays and very significant reductions in the ambition of the reforms.

“At a time when the workforce is facing unprecedented recruitment and retention challenges, and on the same day that the Hewitt Review recommends the creation of a workforce plan for adult social care, it is unconscionable that the government would reduce workforce funding and axe all wellbeing measures. The Hewitt Review calls for a shift towards prevention by Integrated Care Systems – this can’t be done without investing in adult social care. The government’s actions so far do nothing to stop growing unmet need or to combat shrinking capacity in the wider system.

“The announcements today completely undermine the original vision of person-centred reform. People no longer appear to be at heart of the reforms and no attempt has been made to co-produce this new plan with either people working in adult social care, or those seeking to draw upon it. Social care reform stays in the slow lane despite the promises made 16 months ago. It is clearly time for a much more ambitious vision for social care shaped by those who draw on it and those who work so hard to provide it, to enable independent lives – we need a rethink and we need action now, not a diluted repackaging of disappointing announcements.”

Upcoming Events

Kent & Medway Registered Manager Conference for Kent Care Providers

Kent County Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF
10th October 2023

Care Show Birmingham 2023

National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
11th October - 12th October 2023

Care Roadshow South

Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom
17th October 2023

Dementia Summit

The King’s Fund, No.11 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN
Tuesday 31st October 2023

Kent and Medway Care Sector Digital Event

Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel, ME17 1RE
8th November 2023

Care Roadshow Wales

Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
14th November 2023

Upcoming Events

Kent & Medway Registered Manager Conference for Kent Care Providers

Kent County Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF
10th October 2023

Care Show Birmingham 2023

National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
11th October - 12th October 2023

Care Roadshow South

Epsom Downs Racecourse, Epsom
17th October 2023

Dementia Summit

The King’s Fund, No.11 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN
Tuesday 31st October 2023

Kent and Medway Care Sector Digital Event

Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel, ME17 1RE
8th November 2023

Care Roadshow Wales

Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
14th November 2023

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999 Fax: 01892 616177
www.step-communications.com
© 2023 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025