Programme launched to help tackle energy costs for social care providers and those they support

As social care providers and those they support grapple with sharply rising energy costs this winter, a charity has launched an innovative programme to support those who are “struggling with the steep rises” in the cost of living and energy costs.

‘Taking Charge’ has been launched by Community Integrated Care, a member of the National Care Forum (NCF), offering free interactive webinars and accessible resources, specially tailored to the home-life and working routines of people who work in social care, and the people they support.

The energy crisis has meant that many social care workers and families are struggling with escalating prices, and many disabled people are paying more than double the energy bill of the average consumer. The programme offers vital support and guidance to help significantly cut energy bills and save people hundreds of pounds. It is completely free to access and open to anyone.

Professor Vic Rayner chief executive of the NCF says: “The eye watering increases in energy costs is a very serious concern among our members, even after the government capped prices through the Energy Bill Relief and Energy Price Guarantee Schemes.

“For social care workers, the steep rises in the cost of living and energy costs alongside the continued reluctance of government to guarantee the funding for better pay, terms and conditions, means that the next few months will be very hard.

“The lives and wellbeing of the people who access care and support services are also significantly impacted, and many are not enjoying the same support the government is giving to other households.

“It’s encouraging to see such an innovative, co-produced, support programme from Community Integrated Care. This will provide much needed practical support to people accessing care services and care workers.”

"However, this can’t be the responsibility of providers alone, we also need more action from government.”

The NCF is calling for:

• A guarantee that adult social care providers are defined as a vulnerable sector as part of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme following April 2023.

• A guarantee that those people accessing adult social care support will be able to access the Energy Price Guarantee following April 2023.

• Additional, immediate support for providers to reduce the pressures facing social care workers and meet other operational costs due to rising cost of living and inflation.

To access the resource, click here