The Care Minister has reiterated a government pledge to establish a fair pay agreement for care professionals as he reached out to services regarding “operational resilience” this winter.
The Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Stephen Kinnock, wrote a letter this week to local authorities and adult social care services to outline the “critical actions” they should take to protect individuals and their carers during the upcoming winter months.
His letter, aimed at local authority chief executives, adult social care providers, integrated care boards and partnerships and adult social care staff, stated the government’s key principles for care ahead of the winter period:
- A ‘home-first’ approach which supports people to live independently for as long as possible
- A relentless focus on ensuring high-quality care
- Close involvement of people receiving care and their families and carers
Contingency plans needed for winter months
The Care Minister’s letter advised that the successful delivery of these priorities was reliant on: “Close partnership working and joint planning between adult social care, the NHS and other community partners […].”
Mr Kinnock’s letter outlined other priorities for the colder months, including:
- Local health and care systems must continue to support individuals providing care for family and friends
- Following principles set out in a letter from NHS England to GP practices which centred on avoiding hospital admissions and supporting timely discharge during the winter period
- Local authorities must have robust business continuity plans which cover “a range of risks in the winter period which could affect adult social care provision” – these should consider the implications of severe winter weather
Mr Kinnock’s letter also acknowledged the “ongoing workforce challenges” faced by the adult social care sector.
He said the government was committed to working with the sector to tackle these issues and ensure that care workers are “recognised and supported for the important work they do,” acknowledging that they are “essential to those who draw on care and support.”
Care minister refers to country’s “first ever fair pay agreement” for care workers
Addressing the government’s long-term plans, his letter reiterated pledges made in the Labour manifesto.
He said:
“Looking beyond winter, we will engage with the sector including workers and trade unions over establishing the first every pay agreement for care professionals.
“We will shortly be reaching out to sector partners about this and look forward to engaging with local government representatives and drawing on the wealth of expertise within local authorities to help shape these landmark reforms.”
He referred to many of the government’s aims for social care, including improving domestic and international recruitment and retention and the creation of a National Care Service.
He closed his letter by thanking the social care workforce for their efforts “to drive improvement in local services and better meet the needs of people who draw on care and support, particularly in the context of financial challenges that I know local authorities continue to face. I look forward to working with you in future.”
Fair pay agreement and training essential for care workers
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.
They deliver over 6,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.
Their diverse portfolio includes training awards designed for care workers, such as Infection Control and Prevention, Safeguarding Adults, Duty of Care, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Person Centred Care and Support and many others.
Their course portfolio spans Care Certificate standards, mandatory training awards, clinical skills, special focus courses and higher level training for supervisors and managers.
A Trainer at FRT, says:
“We know that the winter period can be really tough for health and care services across the country. The colder weather and prevalence of infections such as flu, Covid-19 and norovirus can mean that hospital admissions skyrocket, while further pressures are also placed on social care services as they try to protect vulnerable individuals.
“It’s important that all health and care services prepare for the winter period to build resilience and ensure the highest quality care is delivered to those who need it. Staff training can help services get ready for busy periods where they are juggling multiple priorities.
“In the long-term, a fair pay agreement is essential to ensuring that care workers are properly recognised as professionals and valued for the essential work they do. Staff training is a key way in which the sector can help to address recruitment and retention issues and ensure they are perceived as professional.”
For more information on the training provided by FRT, please call them on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.