The new Sector Pulse Check report by Hft describes the pressures
facing providers of learning services. The research finds that
services and contracts are being handed back and some providers
will start to run a financial deficit within the next two years.
Commenting on the report VODG chief executive Dr Rhidian Hughes
said:
“People with a learning disability rely on the state to pay for
essential care services and this new report puts the spotlight
firmly on government and its failure to adequately fund the
sector. Local commissioning is not keeping pace with the rising
costs of care provision, investment in the sector is being
seriously eroded and the sustainability of future services is now
under real threat. This situation is not fair to the individuals
and families who rely on care services, nor the workforce, and
government must take steps to immediately shore up the sector.”
The report confirms the sector’s limited preparedness is dealing
with the UK’s exit from the EU. Only four per cent of
organisations in the study had completed their preparations for
EU exit.
“With the ongoing uncertainty over the UK’s exit from the EU the
limited preparedness in dealing with Brexit is a major source of
concern. Brexit exacerbates the threat to social care because the
likely economic impact may lead to less public funding and
potentially create instability in the sector’s labour market.
Government needs to step forward and actively plan with the
sector to ensure that essential care and support services are not
put at risk.”
Notes for editors
VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group) represents
leading voluntary and charity social care disability provider
organisations. VODGmembers work with around a million disabled
people, employ more than 85,000 staff and have a combined annual
turnover in excess of £2.8 billion. www.vodg.org.uk
