England has a growing elderly population with increasing levels of disability and need – by 2026 the number of people aged over 85 is expected to have doubled (Wanless Social Care Review) along with rising expectations and wider social changes. Current funding arrangements are unsustainable – a new solution has to be found. (Securing Better Care for more people) The coalition government is committed to extending ‘the greater roll-out of personal budgets’ - the previous government had wanted most users to have access to personal budgets by 2011 and had suggested these budgets could include funds from health care as well as social care. It has pledged to break down funding barriers between health and social care to incentivise preventive action.
Critical to any social care strategy will be the estimated 6 million carers who look after frail or disabled relatives on a largely unpaid basis. Carers UK estimate that carers’ unpaid work saves the UK £87 billion a year. The coalition government says it will introduce direct payments for carers, and improve access to respite care.
A growing number of people are missing out on state-provided social care services as a result of councils’ ever-tightening eligibility criteria. The CQC has warned that access to publicly-funded care will become further restricted as a result of funding and demographic pressures.
The current economic slump is having an impact on social care in several ways. It means that demands on its services from those with job, housing or health problems is growing while its funding is contracting – and is set to contract further with public sector cutbacks forecast. However, many within social care would argue the recession only strengthens the case for change.
Turnover and vacancies in many parts of the social care workforce are high, according to latest CSCI figures. Meanwhile those receiving direct payments now hire 12 per cent (113,000) of all employed carers and helpers. Many in the field are concerned these personal assistants are not regulated or monitored like the traditional workforce and this could increase the risk of user abuse.
