Government sets out 10-year plan for adult social care
James
The Government has published a white paper on adult social care, setting out details how over £1 billion will be spent helping people live safely, independently and where they want to.
The white paper also coincides with the launch of a new government campaign - Transforming Social Care - to help individuals and their families understand the reforms and how they will benefit from them.
The white paper is part of the government’s wider social care plans, backed by £5.4 billion, which for the first time provides a limit to the cost of care for everyone in the adult social care system, and significantly increases state support.
This will include providing greater choice, control and support to help people lead independent life by including funding to transform homes and improve the physical, digital and technological infrastructure.
The funding will help pay for new technology and digitisation backed by at least £150 million to improve care quality and safety, support independent living and allow staff to provide focused care where it is needed.
For example acoustic sensors which monitor movement will help residents sleep uninterrupted and allow carers to monitor them safely and be alerted if needed. Digital care records will be updated to make sure all caregivers have the latest up-to-date details to provide the best support possible.
The reform programme also includes:
- £70 million to assist local authorities and improve the delivery and standard of care.
- An increase to the upper limit of the Disabled Facilities Grant for home adaptations such as stairlifts, wet rooms and home technologies to allow people to live where they want to and increase the options for care.
- Up to £25 million to work with the sector to kickstart a change in the services provided to support unpaid carers, to boost support and increase access to respite services giving them much needed support and a break.
- A new national web site to provide easily accessible information for the public on social care and at least £5 million to pilot new ways to help people understand and access the care and support available.
Additional details will be shared in due course as the plans set out in the white paper are developed further.
