Social care providers forced to take ‘drastic action’ during pandemic

SOCIAL care providers have had to take “drastic action” to remain sustainable because of consistent cost pressures amid the coronavirus crisis, which has taken a heavy toll on workers in the sector, according to a new report.

Almost two out of three providers surveyed reported an increase in absenteeism among staff relating to mental health since the beginning of the pandemic.

Most of the 72 social care providers surveyed by Hft now offer mental health awareness training, while almost two-thirds now provide in-house mental health first-aiders.

Hft, a leading learning disability charity, said its study highlights that social care providers appear to be reaching a “crisis point” and are having to tackle persistent cost pressures such as rising wage bills and lack of fee income.

More than half of respondents said they have had to close down some parts of their organisation or hand back contracts.

About a third of providers said they have made redundancies, and one in 10 revealed they have had to offer care to fewer individuals.

Hft said the trend was likely to continue, adding that its research has shone a light on the pandemic’s “forgotten workforce”.

Kirsty Matthews, chief executive for Hft, said: “Our report shows that in a year where the social care sector has played a pivotal role on the front line, providers have gone to great lengths to support staff, who are crucial role to supporting some of the most vulnerable adults in society.

“It is vital the Government provides a cash injection specifically to ensure frontline social care staff have the mental health support they deserve, and that it is not at the expense of an already beleaguered sector.

“While the Covid-19 pandemic has seen some additional funding enter the sector, it falls far short of solving an enduring and underlying financial challenge.

“The precarious financial situation is a culmination of years of financial pressures, which have forced providers to take drastic action in order to remain sustainable. It is vital that the Government brings forward a long-term funding solution for adult social care to safeguard the future of the sector.”

Josie Dent, managing economist at Cebr, which conducted the research, added: “The finances of the social care sector continue to stand in a precarious position as costs rise, yet in spite of this, the research shows providers have increased their mental health support for staff over the past year.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring people receiving care can access the support they need during this difficult time.

“To support social care workers’ wellbeing, the Government has invested over £1.4 billion in adult social care, on top of £4.6bn for local authorities to address pressures on public services, free PPE and increased staff testing.”