In response to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) Spring Survey 2024, Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, expressed concern over the financial pressures impacting social care services. “We are unsurprised by the findings that services are being impacted by financial pressures as we have long been aware of the underfunding in adult social care, but it is still worrying to read such a high percentage of social care Directors (90%) do not think that their budgets will be sufficient to fully meet their statutory duties. We agree with the report’s recommendations that the new Government should commit to multiyear funding and would like to see this include provisions for care worker wellbeing.
We have long recognised the interdependence between the NHS and social care sectors and advocated for parity of esteem and pay so it is concerning that care workers are continuing to take on more NHS tasks without additional funding. Care workers have the skills needed for these responsibilities and deserve increased pay and recognition. We welcome the report’s recommendations on increasing pay rates for care workers and the recognition of the social benefits of this for individual care workers and the wider community.
The survey’s finding that ensuring staff have the skills and confidence to maximize the use of digital tools is crucial for upscaling and mainstreaming technology in adult social care aligns with feedback from care workers in our care worker roundtable with Oxford University. Care workers want comprehensive training and continuous learning opportunities to understand and effectively use AI technology. They also emphasise the need for clear policies and procedures from employers regarding the use of AI and technology, specifying when and how these tools should be employed.
The Care Workers’ Charity strongly supports the survey’s recommendation to invest in people, particularly the care workforce, and the acknowledgment of their skill and compassion. It is crucial to invest in this essential workforce to safeguard the sustainability and quality of adult social care services.”