Hft | Hft responds to the Government’s adult social care White Paper

2021-12-03 14:08:49

Hft responds to the Government’s adult social care White Paper


Kirsty Matthews, CEO of Hft, the charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, said:

‘After a lengthy wait, we welcome the publication of the Government’s White Paper on adult social care reform. However, we remain concerned about the immediate crisis the sector will face over the coming winter.

‘People at the heart of care’ sets out a promising 10-year vision for our complex social care system by addressing challenges spanning from housing and workforce, to technology and unmet need. We are pleased to see an overarching emphasis on choice, fair access and person-centred care and look forward to working with government to ensure the people who rely on social care are truly at the centre.  

Yet with just £1.7bn of funding to deliver these changes, it is difficult to see how these ambitions will be made a reality. We would welcome further clarity on how these changes will be robustly delivered and then sustained over a 10-year period.

Furthermore, we remain anxious at the lack of action on the immediate and significant pressures facing social care, particularly around capacity, with average vacancy rates sitting at around 105,000. Support workers are the foundation of social care and they have played a vital role on the frontline throughout the pandemic. The government must take immediate action to address the current crisis in recruitment and retention to both ensure that everyone with a learning disability who needs care can receive it, and to lay stable foundations for reform over the coming decade.’

Notes to editors

For further information please phone 0117 906 1697 or email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk

About Hft

Hft is a national charity that creatively supports more than 2,200 adults with learning disabilities across England and Wales to live the best life possible. Services range from residential care to supporting people to live independently in their own homes – from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day. Hft also helps people with learning disabilities to take part in daily activities, make friends and develop relationships and to find work.

Established in 1962, Hft is funded in two ways: through local authorities, who fund vital support services, but also through donors, supporters and volunteers who enable us to find new ways to help more people to thrive rather than just get by.

For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk