William Eichler 16 January 2024

Care providers closing due to ‘perilous’ environment

Care providers closing due to ‘perilous’ environment  image
Image: Chinnapong / Shutterstock.com.

Social care services are facing a situation that is ‘more perilous than ever’ with 43% of providers closing services or handing back contracts, a new study has revealed.

The 2023 Sector Pulse Check report found that the £7.5bn funding boost in the 2022 Autumn Statement has done little to address the key issues facing the struggling social care system.

Commissioned by learning disability charity Hft and Care England, the research learnt that 40% of adult social care providers were in deficit in 2023 because of energy cost increases and the rise in the National Living Wage.

As well as closing services and handing back contracts, 39% of providers considered exiting the market altogether. Just under 20% told the researchers they offered care to fewer people last year.

Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said: ‘The narrative that social care is under pressure is not a new one. What’s disappointing is that we find ourselves in a worsening crisis amid the Government’s narrative of ‘record investment’ into the sector.

‘While the Government did make substantial commitments in the 2022 Autumn Budget, the outcomes have not matched the ambition. The new money into the sector has not led to tangible change or any significant progress towards “fixing adult social care”.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Early Help Family Practitioner - 12 month FTC

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£39150.00 - £42861.00 per annum
Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward.Be the support that helps families find their strength and move forward. As England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Swansea Council
£73,908 - £85,884
As Head of HR and OD Swansea (Abertawe)
Recuriter: Swansea Council

Early Help Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 6, £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
Durham County Council are on a continuous improvement journey in relation to its Early Help service. We are one of 75 Local Authorities who are part o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Legal Clerical Assistant

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 p.a. (Grade 5)
A vacancy has arisen within Business Services for a full time, permanent Legal Clerical Assistant to provide legal clerical support to solicitors and Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Practice Coordinator

Durham County Council
Grade 13 - £47,181 - £51,356
Do you love supporting practitioners to bring their best selves to their work? We are looking for a Practice Coordinator to support our Social Worker Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner