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There is now greater recognition than ever that the social care system, which is meant to provide back up to families and support those with care needs, is stretched to breaking point and that this is one of the major challenges facing the country.
Previously social care was seen as a fringe issue and its ‘bigger sister’ the NHS got all the headlines. But there is now an acceptance amongst virtually all of the political parties, the media, think tanks, the voluntary sector and even employers, that there needs to be major reform to the way we provide and fund social care.
Carers UK has been saying for years that many carers get no help whatsoever and those who do get help often find services are inflexible, poor quality and expensive. Elderly and disabled people do not get the support they need to live independently, forcing them to rely on friends and family.
How will we fund long term care? Recent government investigations
In the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2007, the Government committed to reviewing the way that we pay for long term care and to producing a Green Paper after consultation with services users, carers and other stakeholders. The Government indicated it was committed to radical reform and called for a system “that shares the cost between the individual and the state and that provides both universal and progressive elements.”
This suggests that Government will not abolish the current means-tested regime but may reform it to make it fairer, ensuring that all people who need support get something from the state.
The announcement followed publication in March 2006 of an important report for the King’s Fund think tank by Sir Derek Wanless into the future of social care funding. His report Securing good care for older people called for increases in funding to meet the demand for high quality care in the future. The report found that if the system remains as it is, its costs would rise from £10.1bn in 2002 to £24bn by 2026 as a result of demographic change alone, without any improvement to the quality of services.
Sir Derek recommended a ‘partnership model’ in which everyone in need of social care would be entitled to state funding for two-thirds of their care package, after which individuals' contributions will be matched by the state up to a defined limit.
Who gets access to services?
Further evidence of the problems in social care were highlighted in the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s annual review of social care. The state of social care in England 2006-07 was published in January 2008 and it highlighted a sharp divide between those who benefit from the formal system of social care (particularly care funded and arranged by social services) and those who are outside of it. It also showed inconsistencies in the application of the rules around the country.
There has been a growing trend for councils to only provide services to those with the highest levels of need, leaving those with lower needs to fend for themselves. This year nearly three-quarters (73%) of councils expect to only provide services to those with substantial or critical needs.
Reacting to the report, Minister for Care Services Ivan Lewis MP announced a review of eligibility criteria, which CSCI will carry out. The review will be completed by mid-September 2008 and include consideration of options for replacing the current Fair Access to Care Services system.
What sort of services are provided?
There have also been developments in deciding the sorts of services that councils and health services will provide. In December 2007, the Government published Putting People First, a protocol agreed between the National Health Service, Association of Directors of Social Services and the Local Government Association which sets out an agreed approach to the provision care services. In the future services will be much more personalised with greater use of Direct Budgets and Individual Payments. Government announced an extra £520 million of ring fenced funding to transform Social Care over the next three years through the introduction of Personal Care budgets.
How is Carers UK contributing to the debate?
Carers UK is contributing to the debate through a new campaign with Help the Aged and Counsel and Care. The Right care, Right deal campaign was launched in January 2008 and is calling for a new settlement for social care in England.
We want a future where
We are aiming to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system. To show your support for the campaign and receive regular updates on how you can get involved, sign up at www.rightcare.org.uk
