William Eichler 14 May 2024

Third of councils fear being unable to meet Care Act duties

Third of councils fear being unable to meet Care Act duties image
Image: Chinnapong / Shutterstock.com.

Only around two thirds of local authorities are confident they will be able to meet all their legal duties under the Care Act by next year, council leaders have warned.

Ten years on from the introduction of the legislation designed to improve access to care and support, the Local Government Association (LGA) has published a new report looking at the state of adult social care.

The report highlights the main issues facing the struggling sector – severe funding shortages, increasing demand, and the challenges around recruitment and retainment in the care workforce.

The LGA also found that eight in 10 councils are forecasting having to divert funds from other services to protect the provision of care.

Cllr David Fothergill, social care spokesperson for the LGA said: ‘We are at a critical point, for people who draw on care, councils, and the sector. Councils are doing all they can to ensure they meet their duties under the Care Act - including cutting spending on other neighbourhood services - but many still fear they will not be able to over the coming years.

‘This simply isn’t good enough. It isn’t good enough for people who draw on care and support and it isn’t good enough for the care workers who work incredibly hard for very little financial reward.

‘Adult social care needs urgent attention. This must be top of the in-tray for any incoming government.’

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