CQC Report Provides Further Evidence Of ‘Chronic Underfunding’ In Social Care, Warn Charity Leaders

– CSA draws attention to the poor quality of social care being provided in England, failing our obligations to older and disabled people –

• Charity leaders call for the Government to urgently address underfunding of social care in Spending Review –

(London, UK) 15 October 2015 – Today, a coalition of more than 80 of the country’s leading charities has warned that the results of a report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care in England, is further evidence of a crisis in social care.

The report issued today by the CQC shows that 41% of providers in England were rated as inadequate or require improvement*. The CSA believe that this an inevitable result of year on year cuts in social care, which has led to chronic underfunding in the area.  Councils have been forced to reduce what they pay to care providers and this has a direct impact on services.

Councils in England report that around £4.6bn has been taken out of the social care system since 2010. The CSA is clear that without additional funding social care will get worse. Further providers will exit the market and soon people may find there is no care available of any quality.

Chair of the Care and Support Alliance, Vicky McDermott, said:

“Over 40% of providers are delivering a poor standard of care and support, which is impacting on the lives of hundreds and thousands of older and disabled people who need support just to do the basics – like getting up or out of the house.

We need the Government to make a significant investment in social care at the Spending Review next month. The Chancellor should use that opportunity to address the chronic underfunding in care. Doing nothing is simply not an option if this country is to honour its obligations to older and disabled people, and their carers.”