The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Adult Social Care has created a ‘report of reports’ to focus the hearts and minds of all political parties on social care. The report, Future of Care 5, launched on 20 March with representatives from all the main parties.
Those present included the Minister of State for Social Care Helen Whately, and APPG Co-chairs Damian Green MP and Sarah Owen MP. Clive Efford, MP for Eltham and Chislehurst attended at the request of Campaign 4 Change member Mary Woodall, one of his constituents.
Future of Care 5 has been shared across all parties for them to consider as part of their manifestos ahead of the general election. The cross-party publication reviews a number of recent social care reports to summarise and distil the sector’s main priorities.
In summary, these are:
- Care should be person-centred, and co-produced.
- An emphasis on long term funding and support, moving away from emergency, short term arrangements.
- A significant review of pay for social care workers, banded in line with NHS workers.
- Social care to be included in local community planning and decisions.
- Constantly seeking to improve how social care is delivered, being creative and enhancing the use of Information Technology.
Mary comments: “I think it should be co-production throughout. People who receive support should have a say on social care decisions. It’s not right that people can’t live their own lives and have to have decisions made for them.”
