Care homes and home care providers will benefit from a new £162.5
million workforce retention and recruitment fund to bolster the
dedicated care workforce.
Local authorities across England will soon be able to access the
fund based on their need, helping to boost the number of
people working in adult social care and supporting those already
working in the sector to continue to deliver high quality
care.
The ring-fenced funding, available until the end of
March 2022, will support local authorities working with
providers to recruit staff. It will also be available to help
retain the existing workforce - through overtime payments and
staff banks of people ready to work in social care - and will
provide further capacity to support their health and wellbeing
through occupational health.
The fund is part of a series of measures in the short and longer
term to support social care and ensure there is the right number
of staff with the skills to deliver high quality care to meet
increasing demands.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“I want to thank care workers for their commitment and tireless
efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic – we owe them
a debt of gratitude which I am determined to repay through
ambitious, sustainable social care reform that prioritises their
skills and wellbeing.
“This dedicated funding will help local authorities bolster
staff numbers and care workers to
continue delivering high quality care for
everyone who needs it.”
Throughout the pandemic, the government has provided almost
£2 billion towards infection control and testing and over £6
billion has been made available to local authorities to address
pressures on their services, including social care.
This funding is in addition to the £388 million announced in
September 2021 to support infection control, testing and to boost
flu and COVID-19 vaccines in care homes ahead.
In the longer term, the Health and Social Care Levy will see
a total of £5.4 billion invested in adult social care -
including £500 million for staff training to reduce staff
turnover and enable carers to achieve recognised qualifications
alongside their day-to-day work.
Minister for Care said:
“The social care workforce has delivered high-quality
care in the most challenging circumstances over the past 18
months – showing true dedication and professionalism – and I
can’t thank them enough.
“This funding will help care providers recruit and retain
staff, supporting both those already making a difference
while bringing in new colleagues to help.
“Everyone deserves to be cared for with dignity and respect.
This funding, as well as our wider reforms, will bring
us closer to a world-leading social care system.”
The government has committed to bring forward white papers on
adult social care reform and integration this year.
