Adult Social Care Update
A message about the future of social care in England from Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid
Over the last 18 months, colleagues working in social care have moved mountains. You’ve cared for people and kept them safe as we’ve faced the biggest challenge in living memory. You’ve put the comfort, security, and wellbeing of others before your own.
More than that, the pandemic has added to the challenges you were already facing: an ageing population, financial uncertainty and a workforce in need of more training and support. We want the NHS and social care to work as one to provide the world-class service we all deserve: free at the point of use and paid out of taxation. But we can only do that if we address historical problems with how we fund social care.
No responsible government can bury their head in the sand and pass these problems onto the next government – or the next generation. That wouldn’t be right, and it wouldn’t be fair. So our recent announcement of a new Health and Care levy is a landmark moment.
Our levy shares the burden across employees, employers, and pensioners alike, to pay the costs of care. No one will have to pay more than £86,000 in care costs over their lifetime. That cap will apply to everyone – it will not matter what condition they have, where they live, how old they are or how much they earn.
We are also casting out the safety net further by expanding means-tested support, so many more people can benefit from having the costs of their care covered. Taken together, this will ensure a more sustainable footing for social care in the years to come.
Crucially, we’re investing half a billion pounds in our incredible social care workforce. The funds - spread across three years - will go towards new qualifications, better training, clearer career routes and stronger mental health and wellbeing support.
While it’s not a total overhaul of the system, it’s a vital first step for a sustainable future of the sector and a massive investment in a workforce that has done so much for us. Together, this investment will make sure many millions more get the chance to live happy and healthy lives.
New flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster campaign Frontline adult social care workers are eligible for a free flu and COVID-19 booster vaccine to help boost their immunity this winter.
A new communications toolkit and range of marketing materials, including Q&A leaflets, posters, social media graphics and email signatures, have been launched for providers to encourage care colleagues to taken up both vaccines. Printed materials are available to pre-order now, and digital assets will be available from next week.
Prime Minister sets out autumn and winter COVID-19 plan [Image supplied by freepik.com] Over autumn and winter, the Government will aim to sustain the progress made through pharmaceutical interventions, identifying and isolating positive cases to limit transmission, and supporting the social care sector and the NHS.
Vaccines will continue to be the first line of defence. All those vaccinated during Phase 1 of the vaccine programme will be offered booster jabs from this month – to boost immunity among the most vulnerable groups during winter.
Blogwatch: winter flu jabs save lives too [Image supplied by freepik.com] PHE's Dr. Éamonn O'Moore knows how crucial it is for all who work directly with vulnerable people to make sure they have a flu jab every year.
The new winter vaccination campaign signposted above encourages all health and care staff to do the same. Click the link below for more from Dr O'Moore.
Guidance update: protecting people defined as extremely vulnerable [Image supplied by freepik.com] This guidance is for everyone in England who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. This includes people identified by NHS England and through the COVID-19 population risk assessment.
All of those identified have been added to the Shielded Patient List. More information on the criteria used is available by clicking the link below. The guidance is also available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati and Urdu.
New mental health lead for social work joins Chief Social Worker for Adult's office [Image supplied by freepik.com] Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults (CSW), is delighted to confirm the appointment of Jason Brandon as the new Mental Health Social Work Lead, following recruitment into a two year secondment.
He is extremely motivated to progress the CSW mental health programme, making sure the voice of social care – and the wise counsel of the adult social work profession - is heard on a range of vital post-pandemic issues.
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