no.315
April 2023
incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Providers are being pushed to the brink THE care of thousands of older and vulnerable people could be at risk after a dire warning that a third of care providers have considered leaving the market. A new report reveals that rising costs and workforce pressures are pushing many care providers to the edge. The Independent Care Group says the report provides more evidence of the need for urgent Government action on the care crisis. Chair Mike Padgham said: “Coming as it does, hot on the heels of a total lack of action on care in the Budget, this report makes terrifying reading and rings alarm bells for the future care of thousands of vulnerable people. “It serves as a snapshot of where providers are at the moment, particularly smaller providers, which make up a vital chunk of the sector as a whole. “It paints a picture of the social care sector potentially suffering death by a thousand cuts as more and more providers either fully close, close parts of their operations or consider closing in the future.” The Sector Pulse Check report was commissioned by national charity Hft and Care England. Some 92 per cent of respondents said workforce pay was a concern, with 81 saying local authority
fee increases did not cover those rising costs. Financial and workforce pressures had forced 42 per cent of respondents to close parts of their organisation or hand back contracts Mike added: This is an excellent, timely report and we congratulate Hft and Care England on its publication and stand firm with them in calling for the Government to get round the table with providers and find some solutions. If, as is being reported, a settlement has been reached to give nurses and ambulance workers a well-deserved pay boost, we have to ask, what about care staff? “They fought side by side with NHS workers during the pandemic and, like them, were clapped on the doorsteps. But there is little sign of social care being funded sufficiently well for anything like the pay rise afforded to their NHS counterparts. “Better funding for social care would enable local authorities to pay a price that better matches the true cost of delivering care. “That would in turn enable providers to pay their staff better, tackle the disparity that exists between them and their NHS colleagues and ease some of the financial and recruitment nightmares that are outlined in the Sector Pulse Check report.”
CUK Awards nominations set to open
A National Care Group registered manager has received her MBE from HRH Princess Anne as part of The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2022 for her outstanding services to social care. Julie Shield, registered manager at Abbeyvale Care Centre – part of National Care Group’s Essential Care and Support services in County Durham – attended the ceremony at Windsor Castle. The MBE reflects her dedicated service to the residents at Abbeyvale Care Centre and the social care sector as a whole, in which she has worked since 2000. In particular, Julie’s efforts during the pandemic ensured her service was kept completely Covid-19 free, selflessly putting the health and wellbeing of the people she supports above her own. Julie won Employer of the Year at the Caring UK Awards in 2021.
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OPERATORS wanting to put themselves forward for recognition have been urged to enter the Caring UK Awards in partnership with Virgin Money when nominations open next month. Nominations for this year’s event will open at www.caringukawards. co.uk on Monday, April 17. The deadline for nominations will be Monday, August 28. The awards, organised by Script Events in partnership with Caring UK, recognise excellence and achievement in all corners of the care industry. And with more than 20 categories up for grabs, there’s something to suit every type of care business. These include everything from Quality in Housekeeping and Catering Team of the Year to Best Outdoor Environment and End of Life Team of the Year. Caring UK Awards director Dominic Musgrave said: “We’re extremely proud that the Caring UK Awards are for every business – our awards are free to enter and our judging criteria means that it’s not down to the size of your facility but how you run it. “Our main aim is to recognise and honour the best in our wonderful sector and showcase the innovation and dedication that goes on every day so please share your successes and tell us about your hard work and initiatives by sending in your nominations.” Trophies will be handed out at a ceremony on Thursday, December 7 at the Athena in Leicester.
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