“Social care remains under enormous strain to recruit and retain high quality staff when faced with pay issues, unmet need within the sector and pressures on provider fee levels. Considering the limits that adult social care has been working within over the pandemic, it’s positive to see that the report finds that “service quality held up quite well”.
Responding to The King’s Fund annual report on adult social care, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“Councils and care providers have worked together under huge pressures during the pandemic and this report highlights the extent of the pressures facing the sector.
“Social care remains under enormous strain to recruit and retain high quality staff when faced with pay issues, unmet need within the sector and pressures on provider fee levels. Considering the limits that adult social care has been working within over the pandemic, it’s positive to see that the report finds that “service quality held up quite well”.
“Councils and their providers always strive to reflect, learn and improve, but it is becoming increasingly hard to fund even statutory services. Whilst the Government’s plans for reform are good, there is currently a financial and staffing crisis in social care that have not been considered. Councils could find themselves unable to balance their budgets this year, which is why we need to see urgent investment in adult social care that will ensure the best possible care for those that need it.”