The white paper sets out a 10-year vision for adult social care which recognises the importance of adult social care to us, our families and communities. We welcome the commitment to outcomes that support people who draw on services to have more choice and control in how they live their lives, but with a clear understanding that a highly skilled, knowledgeable and well-led workforce will be absolutely key to making that work.
Much of the workforce elements in the white paper are measures we and others have been asking for. The commitment to invest in our workforce’s professional development, and in our key leaders like registered managers is something we have been talking about for some time, and I am sure will be welcomed by employers and those who work for them.
There is no doubt that the last couple of years people who work in social care have had really rewarding experiences and built great relationships with the people they support but they have also been through some incredibly tough times. This white paper is the start of recognising that people who work in social care are skilled, compassionate professionals and we look forward to working with the government on what future investment will look like, and to support making the ambitions set out in the white paper a reality.