Minister Urges Winter Preparedness as Councils Receive £3.7bn Social Care
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock has written to local councils outlining key priorities for building winter resilience in adult social care, as the government announces up to £3.7 billion in additional funding for social care authorities in 2025-26.
In the letter, Kinnock acknowledged the sector’s ongoing work in supporting people to stay independent for longer and thanked councils for driving quality improvement and joining up services at neighbourhood level. The correspondence complements similar guidance issued by NHS England to integrated care boards and provider organisations.
The minister praised local councils for their urgent response to the recent failure of integrated community equipment supplier NRS Healthcare, and their efforts to establish alternative arrangements to ensure continuity of care.
He emphasised the importance of robust business continuity plans to address winter-specific risks, including severe weather, energy supply disruptions, transport issues and staff shortages. Councils and providers are directed to follow the government’s Adverse Weather and Health Plan for preparation and response.
Mr Kinnock stressed that infection prevention and control measures must be balanced with facilitating family and friend visits, which provide “vital social interaction” during the winter months.
The letter outlined changes to the winter vaccination programme. Free flu vaccinations will continue for frontline social care workers without employer-led occupational health schemes. COVID-19 vaccines will now be offered to adults aged 75 and over, care home residents and immunosuppressed individuals aged six months and above.
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine will be available to pregnant women at 28 weeks or more, people aged 75-79, and those who turned 80 after 1 September 2024.
Hospital Discharge and Admissions
Whilst acknowledging good progress in some areas, Mr Kinnock noted that hospital admissions have risen and discharge delays have worsened in others, “which undermines outcomes for local residents.”
He called on councils to work with integrated care boards and NHS trusts on integrated winter planning, including supporting NHS surge planning for potential flu or COVID-19 waves, ensuring sufficient social care assessment capacity, and reducing hospital occupancy before Christmas to help systems manage January pressures.
The minister highlighted new guidance developed through the Better Care Fund Support Programme, including updated high impact change models on managing transfers of care, reducing preventable admissions, and supporting people with dementia and delirium.
Mr Kinnock also emphasised the importance of identifying and supporting unpaid carers throughout winter, ensuring they can access services to maintain their own wellbeing. He directed councils to the ADASS supporting carers hub for practice examples and resources.
Local councils should co-produce plans with care users and unpaid carers, considering access to respite and short breaks, clear information services, emotional and peer support, recognition of young carers, and support for those balancing work and care responsibilities.
The minister concluded by recognising councils’ understanding of local population needs and their duty under the Care Act 2014 to shape care markets that meet diverse needs and preferences, including encouraging variety among providers to offer genuine choice.
