Councils Not Backing Their Local Care Homes

Care England, the largest representative body for independent care providers for adult social care has expressed disappointment that a number of councils have decided not to respond to the increasing cost pressures of supporting vulnerable people in local care homes.

Care homes play an important role in supporting people to receive vital social care and support in their own communities, and decisions by some councils to apply an 0% fee offer just adds further pressures on a care system already under significant strain. Care homes are closing at an alarming rate across the country as owners struggle to meet increasing costs, including meeting rises in the pay rates for staff.  Care England has urged councils to take their legal duties under the Care Act 2014 seriously to ensure access to a sustainable care market for local people.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says:

“0% fee offers by councils are insulting.  Care homes must be fully supported to provide the vital care and support people deserve in their own communities”.

Evidence gathered by Care England notes that the following councils have decided on 0% fee offers for 2018/19:

• Buckinghamshire
• Camden
• Islington
• Kingston upon Thames

This is not a complete list as many councils have yet to agree fees adding to more complications and planning conundrums for providers.