22 Oct 2021
by The Homecare Association

Homecare Association's response to the new £162.5 million workforce retention and recruitment fund

The Government has announced a new £162.5 million workforce retention and recruitment fund to support the homecare and care home workforce. 

The ring-fenced funding, available until the end of March 2022, will be available to local authorities in England based on their need, and further their work with providers on recruitment.

The funding is also intended to help retain the existing workforce, through overtime payments and staff banks and provide further capacity to support health and wellbeing through occupational health.  It is in addition to the £388 million funding already announced for infection control.

Jane Townson, CEO of the Homecare Association, said:

“We welcome the Government’s announcement of an additional £162.5m boost for the adult social care workforce. Homecare workers continue to go to extraordinary lengths for the older and disabled people they support, ensuring they can live well at home and flourish in their communities.

Whilst the additional money announced will help, it amounts to only £100 per member of the care workforce. This will not be enough to address the poor pay, terms and conditions of employment which limit growth and development of workforce capacity to meet needs.

The Spending Review on 27 October 2021 is a pivotal opportunity for the government to invest properly in homecare and our workforce.  High quality homecare helps to enhance wellbeing, increase healthy life expectancy, reduce pressure on the NHS and save money for the health and care system.”

ENDS
 


Notes to editors

  • The Homecare Association (formerly United Kingdom Homecare Association, UKHCA) is the UK’s membership body for homecare providers, with over 2,340 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