ADASS President’s reflections on social care at Labour Party Conference 24
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It was an uplifting start to the Labour conference 2024 hearing the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer talk of respect for public service, a strengthened public sector and nationalisation. What could this mean for Local Government and Adult Social Care?
I spent Sunday following the SoS for Health Wes Streeting and Minister for Care Stephen Kinnock, in the rain, as they spoke at event after event, with the goal of understanding that question. My hope was to leave Liverpool with a vision for the reform of Adult Social Care, and perhaps a sense of how our immediate pressures might be in the thinking of our new national political leadership.
Wes was off to a good start with me, when he repeatedly said he was there as the Social Care Secretary as much as Health Secretary. It was positive to hear from him that a 10 year plan for social care will be developed to run alongside a 10 year plan for the NHS, and that neighbourhood health and the three shifts (analogue to digital, hospital to home, illness to prevention) will underpin both. Both him and Stephen Kinnock took the time to attend the social care rally, an important gesture.
What was clear is that the Fair Pay agreement for the social care workforce is seen as pivotal, and the main vehicle for transforming our workforce, and fixing problems such as quality and recruitment. Our annual survey shows that care worker pay is a key priority in local areas, so we support this focus. There was recognition of the dangers of NHS pay agreements and social care falling further behind.
Given the focus on workforce, it was a shame not to see a commitment to support the sector led adult social care workforce strategy We also need to keep repeating that a workforce outside of care workers exists (including regulated professionals such as social workers and occupational therapists and ancillary staff). And while discussions around the National Care Service are currently focused on fair pay and national care standards, we can’t forget the different elements needed to build a new approach to social care contained in the Fabian Society vision and indeed our own Roadmap.
Many colleagues and MPs referenced social care, and I don’t think I’ve heard social care talked about as much in a generalist conference. It was heartening to hear the Minister for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall resolute that unpaid carers and social care will be part of her thinking. ADASS has advocated for unpaid carers leave and a review of allowances for some time and a secure income for people with disability and mental health needs to be at the heart of our social security system.
So, I left Liverpool with some questions remaining How can we develop a National Care service without a top-down reorganisation? How do we tackle issues about resources and funding?
But I also left with a sense of hope that there is a new national focus on social care and a sense of purpose for the role of ADASS, to support the new Ministerial team in DHSC to fulfil the ten year vision towards a National Care Service.
Further insights
ADASS responds to ‘The state of the adult social Care sector and workforce in England’ report 23/24
Rethinking Prevention: Are We Making a Costly Mistake?
The future for employed unpaid carers – what are the next steps?
Celebrating the Essential Work of our Social Care Workforce
