The Problem with Adult Social Care in England

What are the main issues?

Adult social care in England is facing a number of challenges, including financial eligibility tightening, rising costs, high vacancy rates, and reduced support for unpaid carers. This blog article will explore these issues in detail, highlighting their impact on individuals and communities across the country.

One of the key issues with adult social care in England is financial eligibility. The financial thresholds for assistance with the costs of care have not changed since 2010/11, despite inflation and the rising cost of care. This means that an increasing number of individuals are struggling to cover the costs of care, placing a significant burden on their families and loved ones.

The cost of purchasing care is another significant challenge facing the adult social care system. Since 2015/16, the average weekly fee for working-age adults has increased from £1,400 to £1,540. Similarly, the average weekly fee paid for older people has increased from £670 to £840. These rising costs are outpacing inflation, leaving many individuals and families struggling to meet the financial demands of care.

The social care workforce vacancy rate is another area of concern. Despite the arrival of around 70,000 overseas workers, the vacancy rate is still at its second highest-ever level. This shortage is leading to increased workloads for existing staff, which in turn can lead to burnout and a higher turnover of staff. Adequate staffing levels are essential to provide high-quality care to individuals in need.

Additionally, there are approximately 19,000 fewer unpaid carers receiving direct support than in 2015/16, and 21,000 fewer people receiving respite care. This reduction in support highlights the strain on unpaid carers, who are vital in providing care and support to their loved ones. Unpaid carers often face significant challenges themselves, including financial strain, stress, and social isolation.

These challenges need to be addressed by the new labour government in order to ensure a fair and sustainable system for individuals and communities across the country.

How can Farrell Healthcare help?

We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, person-centred care to individuals in the comfort of their own homes. We understand that every individual has unique care needs and preferences, which is why we customize our care plans to suit each individual’s specific requirements.

One of the key aspects that sets Farrell Healthcare apart is our highly competitive rates for high-quality care. We understand that cost can be a deciding factor when it comes to seeking care, which is why we are dedicated to offering our services at competitive prices. By keeping our rates competitive, we ensure that care is accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation.

Another significant benefit is the commitment to hiring local staff members for the local community. At Farrell Healthcare, we believe in providing employment opportunities to local residents, thereby supporting the local economy. By employing local staff, we can ensure that our care team is deeply familiar with the community and the specific needs and challenges faced by its residents. This local knowledge enables us to provide personalised and culturally sensitive care to our clients.

Moreover, Farrell Healthcare takes great pride in prioritising the health and wellbeing of our care team. We understand that providing compassionate and quality care requires a supportive work environment. Therefore, we ensure that we provide health and wellbeing support to our team to prevent burnout and promote a positive work-life balance. This includes offering regular training sessions, developing team-building activities, and providing resources to support mental and emotional support. By prioritising the well-being of our team, we can ensure that they are well-equipped to provide the best possible care to our clients.

Additionally, Farrell Healthcare recognises the importance of supporting the primary carers of our clients. We understand that caregiving can be demanding and take a toll on the physical and emotional health of the caregivers. Therefore, we offer respite care services to the primary carers of our clients, allowing them to take a break and leave the caring responsibilities to us. This enables primary carers to recharge and take care of their own needs, knowing that their loved ones are being cared for by a dedicated and professional care team.

In conclusion, Farrell Healthcare offers a wide range of services to cater to the specific needs of individuals requiring homecare. With our competitive rates for high-quality person-centred care, our commitment to hiring local staff, our focus on providing health and wellbeing support to our team, and our support for the primary caregivers of our clients, we strive to create a supportive and compassionate care experience.

How do to get in touch?

We provide our services 365 days of the year, so please feel to contact us anytime and we will come back to you as soon as we can! You can call us on 01253 759613 or email us at info@farrellhealthcare.co.uk. You can also find us on our Facebook page.