Government sets out immediate investment and reforms to improve adult social care

On Friday 3rd January, the government announced a package of short-term measures to improve adult social care and support the workforce. 

Alongside the package of reforms, the Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting announced Baroness Casey of Blackstock DBE CB will chair an independent commission into adult social care to inform the work needed to create a National Care Service. 

This package of support will deliver the government’s Plan for Change by helping to keep older people out of hospital and living at home independently, for longer. This package includes: 

•   An £86 million boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant for this financial year. 
• Setting out new national standards for care technology. 
• Upskilling care workers to support them to take on further duties to deliver health interventions, such as blood pressure checks. 
• Development of a shared digital platform to allow up-to-date medical information to be shared between the NHS and care staff, including when someone last took their medication, to ensure people receive the best possible care.  
• The national career structure for care staff will also be expanded, ensuring there are opportunities for career progression and development pathways. 

Long term reform will include the creation of a National Care Service underpinned by national standards, delivering consistency of care across the country. 

As a first step, the independent commission into adult social care will be launched to inform the work needed to deliver this. 

The commission, reporting to the Prime Minister, will work with people drawing on care and support, families, staff, politicians and the public, private and third sector to make clear recommendations for how to rebuild the adult social care system to meet the current and future needs of the population. 

Announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-reforms-and-independent-commission-to-transform-social-care

Jamie Bloomfield

Operations Manager