Plans to reform adult social care fall short of promises, say critics

The government’s long awaited proposals on adult social care have been criticised for failing to tackle the current high levels of unmet need and workforce shortages.

The white paper for social care reform, People at the Heart of Care,1 sets out how £1bn (€1.18bn; $1.33bn) for system reform will be spent over the next three years:

• At least £300m to increase the range and amount of supported housing available

• At least £150m allocated to new technology and digitisation to support independent living and improve the quality of care

• At least £500m towards improving training and qualifications for the social care workforce

• A new service to make minor repairs and changes in people’s homes to help them remain independent and safe in their homes, as well as an increase to the upper limit of the disability facilities grant for home adaptations such as stair lifts, wet rooms, and home technologies

• £70m …