Lexis®Library update: According to the DHSC, the paper explains how the government plans to spend the funding recently announced for adult social care reform in England, such as new investments in housing and home adaptations, technology and digitalisation, training and wellbeing support, support and improved advice for unpaid carers and innovation.
The paper sets out a range of policies that the DHSC will work with the sector and those who draw on care and support to implement over the next three years using the £5.4bn announced for adult social care reform by the Prime Minister on 7 September 2021 and the £1.7bn confirmed for major improvements in the Autumn Spending Review 2021.
The main policies of the next three years include:
• investing at least £300m to embed the strategic commitment in all local places to connect housing with health and care, and drive the stock of new supported housing
• investing at least £150m of additional funding to drive digitisation across the sector, and unlock the potential of caretech innovation that enables preventative care and independent living
• launching a £30m Innovative Models of Care Programme to support local systems to build the culture and capability to embed into the mainstream innovative models of care. This will work for a changing population, with more options for people that suit their needs and circumstances
• funding a new service to make minor repairs and changes in people’s homes, to help people remain independent and safe. This will happen alongside increasing the upper limit of the Disabled Facilities Grant
• continuing to invest in the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund with £210m available for the period 2022–2023 through to 2024–2025
The Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, David Fothergill, said: ‘Addressing unmet and under-met needs, tackling rising pressures, retaining hard working care staff, and investing more in prevention are all areas which need investment now, if we are to significantly bolster core services. This is the essential platform which is needed to fully realise the long-term positive vision set out in this white paper.
Unless these can be urgently addressed as an immediate priority, any long-term proposals for social care – including those in the white paper backed by funding to kick-start change and innovation – will be set up to fail because core services themselves will not be available or sustainable. Without such investment, public expectations will be unfairly raised.
…The government has been ambitious with its vision and now needs to match this ambition with the necessary funding, to turn it into reality.'
The People at the Heart of Care: adult social care reform White Paper is accessible here.
Sources:
• People at the Heart of Care: adult social care reform white paper
• LGA responds to adult social care reform white paper
This content was first published by LNB News / Lexis®Library, a LexisNexis® company, on 01 December 2021 and is published with permission. Further information can be found at: https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/
