Charities 'subsidise social care'

Charities provide a range of social care for councils

Charities are warning that they are having to dip into donations to provide services for councils.

Groups such as Mencap and Sense are paid to provide a range of social care services for English local authorities.

But nearly two thirds of the 26 groups polled by the Social Care Employers Consortium charity umbrella group said the funding they got was not enough.

They said it meant care workers were paid less than refuse staff. Councils acknowledged funding was an issue.

In recent years, local government has been encouraged to make use of the voluntary sector.

The government recognises that investing in workforce development is very important Department of Health spokesman

This has led to a series of agreements with charities to provide services in care homes and home support.

But the poll by the consortium, which represents 41 groups employing more than 65,000 care staff, showed many thought the fees from local authorities were not enough and the situation was getting worse.

They said it was forcing them to dip into donations, which is not meant to happen under Charity Commission guidelines.

Consortium chairman Clare Smith said: "Voluntary organisations should not be expected to subsidise public services that benefit millions of families.

"On behalf of staff and service users we call on the government to live up to their promise to address this crisis.

"It needs to invest more money in social care, reduce unfair competition for staff and raise the status of social care work."

She pointed out that care assistants working for the voluntary sector were paid �243 per week on average - �150 less than refuse workers, according to figures from the Incomes Data Services

She added: "Social care should be seen as a valued and rewarding career."

But the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils, said if allowances for anti-social hours were taken into account weekly pay topped �400.

Problems

However, Councillor David Rogers, chairman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, admitted there were problems.

"Town halls are already campaigning for an adult social care system which addresses the problems of under-funding and unfairness."

The government is expected to publish proposals to reform social care funding early next year.

In England, the system is currently means-tested but one suggestion under consideration is a co-funding system whereby the state guarantees a minimum level of care which could then be topped up by the individual.

A Department of Health spokesman also said efforts were being made to improve recruitment and career development of staff.

He added: "The government recognises that investing in workforce development is very important."

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