Shocking care figures ‘shame’ the country, providers warn

New figures finding over half a million vulnerable people are waiting for care ‘shame’ the country, campaigners and providers have said.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) released figures suggesting more than six in 10 councils are having to prioritise assessments and are only able to respond to people where abuse or neglect is highlighted, for hospital discharge or after a temporary period of residential care to support recovery and reablement.

The Independent Care Group (ICG) said the statistics were further proof that reform of social care is ‘just not happening’.

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: ‘These are yet more damning statistics that show that reform of the social care sector is just not happening and older and vulnerable people are suffering as a result.

‘ADASS represents the local authorities who are delivering and commissioning care, we represent the providers who are struggling to deliver it – between us we can say that the sector is in crisis and urgent action is needed before that 500,000 becomes a million.’

Care England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, said it was left ‘despondent’ following the results of ADASS’s report.

It argues the survey findings substantiate many of Care England’s key messages that the care sector needs immediate support from central Government as care providers struggle to meet the current demand and the significant amount of unmet need.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, commented: ‘From the start of the pandemic the pressures on social care have increased, while the resources available are gradually diminishing.’

He went on to warn: ‘Without immediate Government intervention the adult social care sector will snap under the pressure to meet growing public need. It is vital that the Government addressed the issue of unmet need and ensure that the social care sector is robust and sustainable, so that it can continue to support citizens with a range of complex needs.’

Photo by Ian Taylor