Member News
A report for the Commission for Social Care Inspection has revealed that about £5.9bn was levied in 2006 for personal social care for older people.
The commission had previously claimed that there was a "sharp divide" between the experiences of people who qualify for care funded and arranged by councils and those "lost" to the system.
Dame Denise Platt, Commission for Social Care Inspection chairman, said that the divide still exists.
"I have to say that a year on that divide still exists and in some respects may be sharper for some people," she said.
The report examined quality standards for care services, as well as progress in implementing more "personalised" support for people with multiple and complex needs.
During 2007/08, around 1.75 million people of working age and older people used different social care services, the report said. These were either provided for by their local council or bought on their behalf from private and voluntary organisations.
Councils spent £16.5 billion on social care for adults in 2006/07. But this amount does not include money received from fees or charges. The performance of care services against national minimum standards has risen for the sixth consecutive year, the report found with more of these standards being exceeded.
But around one in five care services are not fully meeting these standards, it found.
Quality ratings showed more than two-thirds of care services, 69 per cent, rated as "good" or "excellent" with this rising to 80 per cent of voluntary run services. There were no councils with zero stars and 87 per cent were two or three star rated, the report showed.
Stakeholder Response: Age Concern
Paul Cann, director of policy and external relations at Help the Aged, said: "This report shows that the government's aspirations of putting people first are far from a reality. Despite some overall improvements, this report shows that far too many older people are still forced to endure second-rate care at the hands of our failing social care system.
"Social care should not just be about managing the needs of the most debilitated, it should be about supporting older people to live a better life. Vast numbers of older people are being denied care because their needs are not considered a priority – all too often they are left to fend for themselves or rely on family and friends.
"The general failure of the system is also reflected in the large number of staff vacancies - care isn't being valued and until it is, more and more older people will continue to miss out. Care homes are still struggling to care.
"The government will never deliver on its ambition for care unless appropriate resources are put in place."
Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "The report highlights the widespread discrimination against older people in the drive to more personalised care.
"Older people who get direct payments are likely to get far less money than younger people with similar needs.
"We are also very concerned at the lack of information, advice and support for those receiving direct payments.
"As we reach this critical stage of the debate about the reform of care services, it is vital that the new regulator gives sufficient weight to care as well as health regulation."
Stakeholder Response: Coucil of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations
Hashmukh Pankhania, chief executive of CEMVO, told ePolitix.com: "The newly set up LINks projects throughout the country would be an ideal resource for ensuring that all service providers and service users are able to access the information, advice or support they need to make individual care a reality.
"This process should be supported by CSCI, by working with LINk hosts such as CEMVO who have direct contact with all individuals using care services in their hosted local authority areas."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
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