A plan for adult social care with recommendations for the next Government has been put forward by Care England.
The representative body for independent adult social care providers has set out workforce, funding and integration policies for the Government to implement within 100 days, two years and five years of entering office.
The ‘Care for our future’ report balances the ‘urgent’ needs of the sector but its recommendations remain deliverable amid a ‘challenging economic and political landscape’, Care England said.
Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green said: ‘The recommendations are pragmatic, realistic and would deliver meaningful impact. This includes a multi-billion pound boost to the economy, shorter NHS waiting times and care work becoming a valued and rewarded career.’
The recommendations include mandating the professional registration of adult social care staff, a fully funded £15 minimum care wage and a £10bn annual funding boost for the sector.
Steve Brine MP, chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, said he fully supported the calls, and hoped ministers would ‘read the report carefully and provide a full response in due course’.
Chairman of the Local Government Association’s community wellbeing board Cllr David Fothergill said: ‘A dedicated plan to promote, protect, support and develop careers in social care, alongside better pay, terms and conditions, would both strengthen the wellbeing and recognition of those who work in this essential vocation, as well as benefit the people who draw on care.’
