Adult Social Care Update
Health and social care levy to raise billions for social care and NHS services [Image created by freepik.com] The Health and Social Care Levy has now come into effect and will begin to raise billions to help tackle COVID-19 backlogs and reform, grow and strengthen adult social care services.
Over the next three years, a record £39 billion will be invested in the health and social care system to make sure it has the long-term resources it needs to provide world-class care, while delivering the biggest catch up programme in the history of this nation.
The levy will also reform the social care system, backed by £5.4 billion previously announced. It is intended to end spiraling social care costs, provide a limit to the cost of care for everyone in the adult social care system for the first time, and significantly increase state support.
£500 million to develop the adult social care workforce [Image copyright Lauren Hurley/DHSC] Adult social care colleagues in England will benefit from at least £500 million from the Health and Social Care Levy to improve recruitment, retention, progression, and staff wellbeing.
In total the levy will generate a record £36 billion over the next 3 years, which will be invested in the health and social care system to make sure it has the long-term resource it needs.
Half a billion of the £5.4 billion dedicated to adult social care from the levy, which came into force on 6 April, forms a package of support for the care workforce as part of the reform white paper, People at the Heart of Care.
World Health Day and workforce wellbeing: looking after yourself to care for others [Image created by freepik.com] During this week's World Health Day, the Samaritans, who have done so much to support the mental health and wellbeing of frontline care colleagues during the pandemic, want to remind everyone in the sector, they are still here to listen.
Sometimes, a listening ear, an opportunity to reflect, or a chance to talk things through when it all feels too much can make all the difference. Find out more about Our Frontline below. It is there for you, wherever you are and whenever you need it.
Capacity Tracker care market survey: your views matter [Image created by freepik.com] Last year, the Government announced care charging reforms for care home and home care provider markets. Help us complete a survey to improve our understanding of local provider markets and those currently receiving care.
By sharing information about the amount people pay for care services, you will help local authorities move towards a fair cost of care for residents, users and businesses. This is an essential part of the Government’s wider social care reforms which seek to deliver high quality, affordable services for those who need them. Hurry – survey closes 18 April!
Chief Nurse and Chief Social Worker for Adults welcome new investment in social care [Image created by freepik.com] “This funding will be vital in giving the sector the chance to level up standards for staff… and provide better opportunities for training and development" says Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social care, in the Nursing Times, marking the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy.
Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults, lends her support in My Social Work News: “There will be more investment in… training people who want to become social workers… I will be working with government and the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families… to work out how best we can improve the overall pre and post qualification landscape.”
Webinar re-watch: COVID-19 changes for care homes [Image created by freepik.com] Recent weeks have seen the updating of guidance for care homes and other care settings as part of the broader Living with COVID-19 plans announced recently by the Government.
In this webinar, hosted by Deborah Sturdy, Chief Nurse for Adult Social, she and other colleagues from the Department of Health and Social Care discuss changes to testing, infection prevention and control (IPC) and answer care colleagues' questions and concerns.
Transforming Social Care: all your questions answered in one place A reminder to visit Transforming Social Care, the one stop shop for anyone keen to learn more about the future of social care in England.
The Government has a long-term vision putting people and families at the heart of services. It is a vision promoting independence and community living, as well as providing more support for the adult social care workforce.
Visit our site to learn more about what’s changing and how the reforms will benefit you.
Guidance update: Bereavement resources for the social care workforce [Image created by freepik.com] Losing someone close to you, whether it’s a family member, friend or colleague, can be devastating. This loss may be especially difficult during the coronavirus pandemic because you may not have been able to spend time with your loved one due to infection risks or been unable to say goodbye in the way you would have wanted.
Working in the social care sector, you may also grieve the loss of residents or care users, particularly those with whom you had a longstanding and meaningful relationship.
We hope that the resources gathered here may help you during this very difficult time.
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