ADASS warns half of England's councils are taking 'difficult decisions' over who 'misses out' on care this winter

More than half of councils in England are currently taking difficult decisions with who gets care and “who misses out,” as ADASS warns social care is now heading into a “national emergency” this winter.

Responding to a snapshot survey by ADASS, 94 of the 152 English councils responsible for social services found 52 per cent of the respondents are taking at least one exceptional measure to prioritise care and assess risk for at least some of their area for some of the time. For example, a care worker will be prioritised to help support someone to eat and remain hydrated over supporting someone to get out of bed or complete other activities.

ADASS warns that this winter, the Omicron wave and pay rises in other sectors has worsened that picture. On top of more than 100,000 vacancies for care staff, agencies employing care staff say an average 14 per cent of their team members are off sick or isolating.

Stephen Chandler, president of ADASS said: “Directors are having ‘to take incredibly difficult decisions to determine who gets care and support, who gets less care and who misses out, and how to allocate what care and support is available. These are decisions that no-one wants to take.

“We warned before Christmas we were heading into a national emergency for social care. The sobering reality of that is now becoming starkly clear.

“Every council is taking extraordinary steps and a majority say they are having to prioritise the most basic and essential care in at least some areas for some of the time.”

'The skilled work they provide is being taken for granted by the government'

The learning disability charity Mencap says the results of the survey are "hugely worrying" but not a "surprise" as many skilled workers are leaving the sector to become delivery drivers and supermarket workers "in hope of better pay."

The charity has warned that the government will need to take urgent action to develop a comprehensive workforce plan that includes "funding to councils" to support decent pay rises.

Edel Harris, chief executive of Mencap, said: "Mencap’s support workers go above and beyond every day for those they support and the skilled work they provide is being taken for granted by the government with many leaving the sector.

"Those who stay in the care sector are being stretched to breaking point; having to prioritise basic needs - to ensure people are comfortable and safe - and limit the valuable work they're there to do - to encourage independence, support social interaction and ultimately empower people with a learning disability to live fulfilling lives.

“With the right support, people with a learning disability can live brilliant, fulfilled, independent and healthy lives, but without it, many struggle leading to a deterioration of their physical and mental health."

'The roots of this lie in the failure to fund adult social care sustainably over the past decade'

ADASS is calling for recognition by the government that the pandemic has disproportionately affected people who need adult social care, and family carers, and has widened existing inequalities.

It wants a commitment to sustainable funding of at least £7bn extra a year, rising to £9bn by 2024-25, and a social care minimum wage equal to what the NHS pays for similar work.

In the first instance, it is calling for a larger share for social care from the new Health and Social Care Levy due to be added to national insurance payments from April.

Stephen Chandler said: “The roots of this lie in the failure to fund adult social care sustainably over the past decade and to recognise and reward properly the committed, courageous and compassionate people who work in it.

“Opportunities were repeatedly missed to ensure that adult social care would be robust enough to withstand the challenges posed by Omicron. Any money that has been forthcoming, though welcome, has been too little, too late.”

'This survey highlights they are making incredibly difficult decisions to keep people safe and well'

More than one in two directors of social services who responded to the survey say that in at least some cases they are having to take decisions temporarily to limit the care normally provided, leave people without their usual social contact, or ask families to step in to help.

Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Reducing care and support services is the last thing councils want to do, but as this survey highlights, they are having to make incredibly difficult decisions in order to keep people safe and well.

“No one receiving services should have to go without, but pre-existing workforce shortages have been compounded by staff absences caused by Omicron, leaving some councils with no choice but to prioritise people in their care.

“A greater proportion of the new health and social care levy should go directly towards social care upfront to reflect the urgency of the situation and help deal with these immediate pressures.”

A previous survey by ADASS suggested that councils had increased the amount of home care being provided by a phenomenal 15 per cent in just three months last year.

But more than 400,000 people were waiting for assessment or review of their care needs or for packages of support to be provided.

To read the report, go to https://mcusercontent.com/83b2aa68490f97e9418043993/files/d148ac76-90b6-a73f-d348-e47b2852d076/EMBARGOED_1901_13_JAN_2022_Contingency_Survey_PDF_version.03.pdf