Laura Sharman 20 March 2017

Care firms cancelling council contracts due to lack of money

Care firms have ended contracts with 95 councils, warning they are unable to deliver services on the amount they are being paid, a new investigation has revealed.

The research by BBC Panorama found 69 home care companies have closed in the last three months, with one in four at risk of insolvency.

The Local Government Association (LGA) warned the care provider market was ‘on the brink of collapse’ due to the historic underfunding of adult social care and an ageing population.

‘These figures show the enormous strain providers are under, and emphasises the urgent need for a long-term, sustainable solution to the social care funding crisis,’ said Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.

Cllr Seccombe also warned that the £2bn of new money from Government will still leave a shortfall in the projected social care funding gap.

She said: ‘There is already an expectation that the money will reduce the immediate pressure on the NHS. But it is desperately needed to protect vital support services, like home care, ensuring older people and those with mental health conditions, learning and physical disabilities live dignified and fulfilling lives.

‘The overall funding pressures facing councils will also mean they will need to make further cutbacks to vital services this year, including social care.’

Paul Dossett, head of local government at Grant Thornton, added: The Government needs to look beyond simple monetary issues and take a broader, more comprehensive look at the care sector. There needs to be long term structural reform which will invest in providers and people who deliver these services, including those EU nationals that make up such a large proportion of the workforce, otherwise our care system will continue to be underfunded, undervalued and understaffed.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Graduate Trainee Emergency Planning and Resilience Consultant

Essex County Council
£27055.00 - £31829.00 per annum
Are you a Graduate, looking to become part of a crucial, efficient and high achieving team? England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Finance Officer- Transactional Services

Essex County Council
£34121.00 - £40142.00 per annum
Senior Finance Officer- Transactional ServicesFixed Term, Full Time£34,121 up to £40,142 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
Applications are invited for a Social Worker within the Durham and Chester le Street Locality Team, temporary until 30 September 2026 subject to the r Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner