Health Management and Policy Alert

Social care 360

The King's Fund - 
The King's Fund's latest 360 review outlines and analyses 12 key trends in adult social care in England over recent years. Using a variety of publicly available data, it provides a uniquely rounded - '360 degree' - view of the sector.

• The King's Fund - publications

Care data matters: a roadmap for better data for adult social care

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This draft document sets out the government’s roadmap for transforming adult social care data in England and seeks views on the data needed to commission, deliver and oversee care and support. The responses should be submitted by 31 July 2023.

• Draft guidance
• More detail

Fixing the foundations: why it’s time to rethink how we support older people with health problems to stay well at home

Age UK - 

This report provides a first-hand account of older people’s difficulties in getting the good, joined up health and social care they need to manage at home, leaving them at risk of crisis which often results in being admitted to hospital. Yet the evidence is clear that with the right care at the right time many of these admissions could have been avoided.

• Report
• Press release

Delayed hospital discharges and adult social care

House of Commons Library - 

This explainer sets out what the government is doing to reduce the number of people staying in hospital longer than necessary.

• Explainer

International recruitment fund for the adult social care sector: guidance for local authorities

Department of Health and Social Care - 

In February 2022 care workers were added to the Health and Care Worker visa shortage occupation list, enabling these roles to be recruited from overseas. Government can confirm that it is making £15 million available over 2023 to 2024 to help support international recruitment within the adult social care sector. The aim of this fund is to promote collaborative arrangements which reduce administrative complexity and burden, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) providers.

• Guidance
• More detail

Adopting the right technology to transform social care

County Councils Network -
This report looks into the impact of digital technology on adult social care, and the importance of implementing digital change across the care landscape. It argues that the potential of technology to support those with social care needs is growing ‘exponentially’ each year.

• Report
• County Councils Network - news

Social care charging for local authorities: 2023 to 2024

Department of Health and Social Care -
This document contains information for local authorities about the social care charging arrangements for 2023 to 2024. It includes details about capital limits, personal expenses allowance, minimum income guarantee, and savings credit.

• Guidance
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Who cares? The experience of social care workers, and the enforcement of employment rights in the sector

Resolution Foundation - 

This report finds that social care workers have higher levels of job satisfaction and stronger job attachment than those in other low-paying sectors, but many have to contend with unsafe working conditions and unlawful under-payment of the minimum wage. This report combines new statistical analysis with findings from a series of focus groups with frontline social care workers, to shine a light on the nature of the jobs they do, the challenges they face, and the priorities for improvement.

• Report
• Press release

Care and support reimagined: a national care covenant for England

Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care - 

This report sets out three actions to realise a new vision for care and support: rethinking attitudes to care and support; rebalancing roles and responsibilities; and redesigning the social care system. The Commission, which was launched by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in April 2021, calls for a National Care Covenant, developed through national dialogue, which sets out the roles and responsibilities of government, communities, families and individuals. Key elements of the covenant proposed by the Commission are: investment in communities; a stronger role for the state; a new deal for unpaid carers; and a commitment to our responsibilities as actively engaged citizens.

• Report
• Press release

 

State of health visiting, UK survey report: a vital safety net under pressure

Institute of Health Visiting -
This report details the findings from a UK survey of frontline health visitors working with families across the United Kingdom. It finds health visitors reporting epidemic levels of poverty, with more parents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis that is forcing them to turn to food banks to feed their children. Alongside this, more parents are living with mental health problems, domestic abuse and adversity, that pose risks to the health and wellbeing of babies and young children. The report makes various policy recommendations including a shift towards prevention and early intervention, equity of access to support and integrated clinical care pathways.

• Report
• Institute of Health Visiting - news