2022 has been a turbulent whirlwind for the social care sector. We have decided to provide a recap of 2022, and provide additional resources from some incredible social care organisations that are doing the work for our care community.
January 2022 - Government Announcements
Across the UK, people were returning to busy social spaces and embracing with hugs. Care Workers were on the front lines. We were contesting with the widespread infection rate of Omicron and having minimal social interaction with co-workers, family and friends. This was due to protecting those receiving our support and following government guidelines.
The government announced an additional £60 million to local authorities to support the adult social care response to COVID-19. This was on top of £388 million already being provided to prevent infections and provide testing.
According to gov. uk, January saw more than three times as many positive tests among staff and residents as in the week ending 23/11/21. For care home staff and residents, the number of positive tests returned was higher than in summer 2021.
February 2022 - A Decrease in Positive LFT
After reaching record numbers in early January 2022, the number of tests conducted in care homes started to decrease. Reports from gov. UK, stated there were around 30% fewer positive lateral flow tests among staff and 25% fewer positive LFD tests among residents than in the week ending 4 January 2022.
March 2022 - CQC Progress Report
Following the CQC, out of sight, out of mind report in 2020, CQC released the progress report in March 2022. The critical priorities listed were advocacy, person-centric care and home care. Read the full report here.
CQC initially reported the reality of what goes on behind closed doors in some care homes in the UK. Our team work tirelessly to ensure our service users never have to experience the horrific experiences reported by CQC. Instances such as restraints, restrictive practices, long term segregation were just a few of the findings at select Care homes in the UK. It is important to note that the reports only reflect some care homes in the UK. Their findings of these Care Homes do not diminish the incredible, dedicated work Care Workers do daily.
Adults receiving care may only sometimes receive all the opportunities and choices they would like and are not fully involved in their care decisions. Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes and help you stand up for your rights. Someone who helps you in this way is called your advocate. Learn how J’s advocate ensured their well-being and health were an absolute priority when coming to 3 Trees.– How our team turned J’s life around- 3tcs
April 2022 - Levelling Up Report
Care England welcomed the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee’s report ‘Long-term funding of adult social care.’
The report stated that there is a significant funding gap in adult social care needs filling.
The Committee’s report outlined the Government should:
Extend Infection Control Fund for as long as the public health situation requires it to advise care workers to self-isolate with Covid-19
Allocate additional funding this year through the adult social care grant to cover inflationary pressures and unmet care needs.
The Government’s guidance for the fair cost of care exercises should require councils and providers to move towards pay rates for care workers. These should align with the NHS, and reward more senior staff with meaningfully higher pay than entry-level workers
Urgently allocate more funding to adult social care in the order of several billion each year, at least £7 billion
Compensate private care providers for employer National Insurance Contributions to the Health and Social Care Levy
The report concluded that the Government had nothing more than a vision; with no roadmap, timetable, milestones, or measures of success. LUHCC stated that the Government should publish a 10-year strategy for the adult social care workforce.
May 2022 - Care England's Call to Action
Despite some softening statistics and government promises, May 2022 still showed no clear crucial help and support as the care sector remained underfunded and understaffed.
Following the publication of the LUHC Committee’s report into ‘long-term funding of adult social care’ Care England wrote to Mr Sunak and Ms Truss. Care England’s letter to the leadership hopefuls called for a commitment to implement measures to address immediate and long-term pressures.
September 2022 - Coffey's 49 Day Reign
Thérèse Coffey was nominated Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, and Deputy Prime Minister, on 6 September 2022. Thérèse was formerly Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions from 8 September 2019 and 6 September 2022.
During her time as Health Secretary, Coffey displayed passionate proclamations about prioritising the ABCD plan for health care, ambulances, backlogs, care, and dentists and faced a series of live blunders in her communications.
In October, the Government proposed to soften the means test for accessing local authority funding support. The upper capital limit is the threshold above which somebody is not eligible for local authority support. This was set to increase from £23,250 to £100,000. The lower capital limit, the point below, was set to increase from £14,250 to £20,000.
Following this, CCN called on the government to ‘stabilise’ the social care sector by focusing on existing pressures and providing more funding for services to get through the following year before introducing reforms in 2024. In response to this news and the rest of the social care reform, councils called for a delay to flagship this; warning services face a perfect storm of financial and workforce pressures.
November 2022
Reforms delayed to October 2025
Following Truss’ resignation as Prime Minister and Coffey’s resignation as the Health Secretary, new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reappointed Steve Barclay. In Jeremy Hunts Autumn Statement 2022, the Chancellor announced that the reforms would be delayed for two years, with the funding allocated “to allow local authorities to provide more care packages.” Yes, indeed, it is all a bit confusing.
Some expressed disappointment on reform delays, and stated that the Government was breaking a promise. Others said it was the proper judgment to focus resources on more critical areas of adult social care.
Learn more about the new delayed care reforms.
November Saw Carer’s Rights Month by Carers UK
As the UK’s only national membership charity for carers, Carers UK is both a support network and a campaign for change. Their work is driven by carers raising their voices together to initiate change and seek recognition and support.
Whether someone has recently become a carer, learned they have been caring without support, or has cared for someone for many years; they must understand their rights and can access the support available to them as soon as they need it.
You may or may not live with the person you’re caring for. Many people don’t know they are unpaid carers. You’re probably an unpaid carer if you; help someone wash, dress, eat, and take them to regular appointment; help someone do their shopping or keep them company for long periods; are not paid to look after the person you’re caring for; spend much time watching the person -there’s no legal definition, but it could mean anything from a few hours a day to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
12,000 People in the UK Become Unpaid Carers Each Day
There are often financial costs associated with caring for someone, which is being exacerbated for carers throughout the UK due to the cost of living crisis. Taking care of someone may cost carers the quality of their relationships. This could be through not being able to take time out to spend with friends and family. It could also be through changes to the relationship with those they care for. Caring can cost unpaid carers’ well-being and ability to access health services.
Research from Carers UK has discovered that 12,000 people in the UK become unpaid carers every day. That’s around 500 people an hour, and eight people per minute. Head to Carers UK to learn more about your rights as an unpaid carer, show support for unpaid carers, and get involved. As care providers, we at 3 Trees stand in solidarity with all care workers. We will continue to advocate for a more respected and supported care sector with our work.
Do you need support? - Looking after someone guide | Carers UK
Being care providers, we at 3 Trees stand in solidarity with all care workers. We will continue to advocate for a more respected, represented and supported care community with our work.
All the information above is sourced from UK | Carers UK Carers First: Help and support for unpaid carers and citizensadvice.org.uk – here, you can find support resources and guidance on your rights as an unpaid carer.
December 2022 - "I’m a Healthcare Worker! Get Hancock out of Here!"
Once we reach a point where nothing shocks us, it is time to be concerned. This was telling when Matt Hancock was platformed on national television winter 2022, every tea time, 6 days a week.
But, alas, what shocked us even less, was when the politician blamed infected staff for bringing Covid into care homes.
Actress Jodie Comer remarked on Matt Hancock’s appearance and coverage on national television as bewildering and offensive.
Comer has been an influential voice and advocate for the care sector. Particularly, when she played the lead role in TV Series Help in 2020. This tv series is a timely and essential piece of media that could not have come at a better time during the pandemic. “Help” received International Emmy Award for Best TV Movie or Miniseries, and Comer won a BAFTA for leading actress in this breakthrough series. This tv series displayed the raw, frightening realities that workers and residents of Care Homes faced when Covid first hit.
Prime Minister's Social Care Plans for the Year Ahead?
In Sunak’s first address of the year, the Prime Minister set a five-point goal for 2023 and listed social care as a pressing priority.
He said, “We’ve significantly increased health and social care funding. When putting record sums into the NHS and recruiting record numbers of staff, we need to recognise that something has to change.
“The most pressing priority is to move people into social care in the communities to get ambulances flowing and make sure people are moving quickly into A&E to be seen.”
He added: “We will rebuild trust in politics through action, or not at all. So I ask you to judge us on the effort we put in and the results we achieve.”
So, there you have it, 2022 wrapped!
Stepping into 2023, we still have faith that our government will hear our voices. However, we will not be waiting around twiddling our thumbs. Our team are proactive in writing to local MPs and associating with organisations on the front lines campaigning for real change.
It’s not all doom and gloom. We simply won’t allow it! 3 Trees will continue to significantly improve the lives of the people we support, and do all we can as a community. Here’s to a better future for the care sector and the dedicated, incredible staff that uphold it.
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