The Care Workers’ Charity expresses its disappointment following recent announcements regarding the future of Adult Social Care funding and support.
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers Charity, sais: "It is disappointing that care minister Stephen Kinnock has announced that the Adult Social Care Training and Development Fund will not be taken forward. Care workers have repeatedly demonstrated their dedication to their roles, often under the most challenging circumstances. It is time the government showed them the same level of commitment.
It is critical that care workers can access comprehensive training and development opportunities, allowing them to progress in their careers and earn a real living wage. While the recent statement includes mentions of long-term plans such as a Fair Pay Agreement and the establishment of a National Care Service, there continues to be a concerning lack of detail about how and when these plans will be implemented or funded.
This is in the same week that large amounts of funding for the NHS have been announced, highlighting, once again, the glaring difference in priorities and a lack of understanding of the interconnectedness of these vital sectors. It is especially disappointing considering the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s background as a former care worker, which we hoped would have seen her push for speedy social care reforms. Instead, there seems to be a troubling trend of diverting funds away from this essential service, rather than addressing the urgent need for comprehensive support and improvements.
Coupled with the government's announcement on Monday that it will not be proceeding with the planned charging reform for social care, this raises questions about the government's commitment to social care. Social care must be viewed as a universal service that empowers individuals to live the lives they desire. It should not be seen merely as a cost but valued for its vital role in society.
We are not suggesting that previous spending plans were perfect or beyond review, but a reevaluation rather than outright cancellation would have been a much better action. We hope this decision does not set a precedent for future social care funding decisions. With the already large gaps in social care funding this is not the space that the government should be looking to save money. Social care needs investment not further cuts”.
