Media Releases
01 Dec 2021
by The Homecare Association

The Nuffield Trust has released a report that describes an "invisible crisis in home care" unfolding. It reports that the social care sector has lost in the region of 42,000 staff in lead up to the upcoming winter months.

Commenting on the report, Homecare Association CEO Dr Jane Townson said:

 “Demand for homecare is out-stripping supply. Recruitment and retention of careworkers in homecare is the hardest it has ever been. Poor pay, terms and conditions of employment resulting from long-term lack of investment by central government has led to staff leaving the sector for better pay. Those remaining are exhausted after working continuously through the pandemic and covering extra shifts. Implementation of vaccination as a condition of deployment in homecare is likely to exacerbate staffing challenges.  

A shortage of careworkers risks harm to older and disabled people. It is also very stressful for careworkers, who may feel they are unable to meet needs adequately as they are so stretched, when their motivation is to improve lives. 

All along, we have raised concerns about the impact of central government policies on the safety and well-being of older and disabled people. Levels of unmet need are high and rising. Funding cuts to councils over many years have led to rationing and poor approaches to commissioning and purchasing of homecare. In turn, this has resulted in poor pay, terms and conditions for the workforce.   

During COVID-19, homecare workers continued to visit people in their own homes every day, whilst GPs, district nurses, social workers, housing managers and CQC inspectors worked remotely. Our workforce feels exhausted and undervalued. It’s easy to find better paid jobs in hospitality and retail that don’t require vaccination, so it’s hardly surprising careworkers are leaving in droves.  

We call on the government to invest adequately in homecare and our workforce so that we can all live well at home and flourish in our communities.”

--ENDS--

Notes for Editors

  • Our CEO Jane Townson is available for interview upon request.
  • The Homecare Association is the UK’s membership body for homecare providers, with over 2,350 members nationally. The Homecare Association’s mission is to work together to ensure that homecare is valued, so that all of us can live well at home and flourish within our communities. The Homecare Association takes the lead in shaping homecare, in collaboration with partners across the care sector, and provides hands-on support and practical tools for its members. As a member-led professional association, the Homecare Association's members agree to abide by the Association's Code of Practice.
  • For further information please contact: Homecare Association Ltd, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, SM6 7AH. Telephone: 020 8661 8165. Mobile: 07393 012 113. www.homecareassociation.org.uk 

 

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