I am pleased to see that the Department of Health and Social Care have set out the next steps in the government's 10-year vision for adult social care reform with a £2 billion+ package.
In the publication, Next Steps to put People at the Heart of Care, which you can find here, the government sets out how it is taking forward their vision for Adult Social Care Reform over the next two years.
The government previously announced up to £7.5 billion additional funding for adult social care, which builds on an existing £1.7 billion for reform. They have now set out plans for how over £2 billion of that funding will be used to improve adult social care.
The government want to support care workers to develop their skills and their careers, and to be recognised as the skilled professionals they are. To achieve this, ministers are launching a new national Care Workforce Pathway, a new Care Certificate qualification, funded training for care workers and registered managers, funded continued professional development training, and a digital skills passport, as well as support for unpaid carers.
Further plans include:
• Make better use of technology to help people live independently at home for longer.
• Harness the power of data and digital care records - joining up health and social care, cutting down on forms, and give professionals the very best information when they’re caring for someone.
• There’s also funding for local authorities to tackle waits for care & low fee rates, and £600m for supporting discharges out of hospital.
More info here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-out-next-steps-to-support-social-care
