Social Care Collapse is Ever Nearer

Care England, the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care, has launched its results of a survey on pay.

The first of its kind, the results of this survey are in line with other key messages from the sector namely the fragility of the system owing to inadequate and unsustainable fees from Local Authorities.

The research found that 96% of providers expected their overall staffing budget to increase this year and all expected further increases over the next 3 years to keep pace with demand. Staffing budgets make up the bulk of costs for providers.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says:

“Care England’s survey makes is clear that providers are expecting higher staffing costs and falling profits whilst demand continues to increase. In order to manage this, providers are anticipating fewer Local Authority placements while investing in technology and services to respond to demand.

The sector can and must adapt, but dynamics are shifting and unless Local Authorities pay the commensurate rate to providers there will be a lack of capacity for Local Authority funded residents and the ongoing workforce challenges will not be addressed”.