2024-06-07 12:05:58
Mind the political gap – it’s time to get serious about social care reform
By Steve Veevers, CEO of learning disability charity Hft
There has been a noticeable gap from the main parties this General Election as they prepare their manifestos. As the Chief Executive Officer of a dedicated social care provider, I live each day aware of the critical and urgent need for substantial social care reform and long-term sustainable funding.
Since the Dilnot report back in 2011 and subsequent white and green papers, those at the sticky end of navigating access to care or those commissioning or delivering care, have been waiting for this to happen. Local systems, no matter how well run, can’t change the structural scaffolding of the social care system; that takes changes to law and changes to taxation, either at a personal or national level.
While we’ve been waiting (not so) patiently, our national social care system is teetering on a cliff edge and, without decisive action, the consequences will be dire for the millions who rely on these services. Most local councils are now spending upwards of two thirds of their revenue budget on social care; some are more than four fifths.
We’ve seen over the past couple of years, a half dozen or so councils go broke, issuing an S114 notice, many of which cite the costs associated with social care as a driving factor. There will be more. The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) estimates more than half of the 153 local authorities will be bankrupt in the next parliament.
That isn’t just a problem for care; it will affect every element of local life – bins, libraries, open recreation spaces, car parks, bus routes, pot holes, dog poo bins. You name it, it’s probably done by your local council. If councils go broke, we’re talking about some strange dystopian void across our neighbourhoods.
It is often said that social care is a “third rail” issue in politics—touch it, and you’re in for a shock. This perception has led to a persistent and damaging inertia, where politicians avoid engaging with the issue out of fear of the political and financial fallout. Remember Teresa May and “The Dementia Tax” and Gordon Brown’s £20,000 “Death Tax” to fund social care? Neither ended well politically for them.
However, avoiding the problem only compounds it. Social care is not a peripheral issue; it is central to the health and well-being of our society. It demands more than just rhetoric; it demands bold, visionary leadership that is willing to tackle the challenge head-on.
We all need to recognise that the scope and scale of the reform required extends beyond a single parliamentary term. Genuine, effective social care reform is a long-term project that necessitates sustained commitment and collaborative effort across successive governments. It requires a bipartisan approach, where the major political parties put aside short-term electoral calculations and focus on creating a sustainable, equitable and effective social care system for the future. We are all living longer, while those people with a disability, complex or otherwise, have a lower life expectancy. For the non-disabled, this is a cause for celebration, but it does mean more of us will need to call upon social care in the future.
To achieve this reform, we need to put the voices of those who draw upon support, their circles of support, and values-based providers at the heart of the reform process. These are the individuals and organisations with first-hand experience and insights into what works and what doesn’t. They should be our guiding lights in crafting policies that are not only practical but also compassionate and just.
We live in a society increasingly driven by instant gratification. From next-day delivery to on-demand entertainment, the desire for immediate results is pervasive. However, social care reform is not something that can be achieved overnight. It requires patience, persistence and a willingness to invest time and resources now for the benefits that will accrue in the future. Good things come to those who wait but, more importantly, excellent things come to those who work diligently and strategically over the long term.
This is not to say there aren’t immediate actions that can and should be taken. Increased funding to providers, improved training and development for care workers, and support for social care services are all measures that can begin to make a difference right away. Hft and Care England’s Sector Pulse Check report calls for stabilisation of the sector by immediate funding to local authorities and providers as well as reforms to VAT and commissioning standards to simplify the currently messy and complicated funding structures.
But these should be seen as the first steps on a longer journey towards a comprehensive overhaul of the system.
Leadership in this context means being brave enough to confront the complexities and challenges head-on, and to communicate honestly with the public about the necessity, difficulties and benefits of long-term reform. It means resisting the temptation to offer quick fixes or to exploit the issue for political gain. It means fostering a culture of collaboration, where stakeholders from all sectors work together towards a common goal.
I see the potential for our social care system to be transformed into one that is world class, responsive, compassionate and sustainable. But this will only happen if our political leaders demonstrate the courage and foresight to take this issue seriously. I call on the major political parties to rise to this challenge. The time for action is now. Let us not shy away from the electrified rail but, instead, let us lay down the tracks for a better, fairer future for all.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
–
For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
