ADASS Responds to Social Care White Paper

Publication of the social care white paper has been welcomed by care leaders as a “foundation stone” upon which to build modern care and support choices for older and disabled people and all those at risk of social exclusion.

The white paper, People at the Heart of Care, should be seen as a first but highly significant step on a journey of transformation, according to ADASS, a charity whose members include directors and other senior staff in local authority adult social services departments.

Stephen Chandler, ADASS president said:

“I am really pleased to see this publication, it represents a foundation stone for which we have been waiting for 20 years or more.

“By its own admission the white paper is just a starting point and I look forward to continue to work with government to make its ambitions a reality”

ADASS is pleased that the white paper reflects contributions, including many of its own, to the engagement exercise that helped shape the white paper. It looks forward to policy development continuing in the same spirit.

“This is going to be a 10-year programme of transformation and its success will depend on the continued and growing involvement of groups representing all those who commission, provide and, most importantly, draw on care and support,” Chandler said.

“The white paper sets out strong values and principles and has great ambition. But there is much detail to fill in and much more funding to find. Clearly the sums identified so far can be no more than pump-priming.”

ADASS has warned that the care and support of tens of thousands of older and disabled people is at risk this winter because of widespread staff shortages among care providers unable to match pay rates being offered in other sectors:

“The white paper paints a promising picture of a more professionalised care workforce in the future. What we urgently need now is a bridge to that brighter future, to address the immediate crisis and ensure that everyone gets the care and support they need this winter.”