National learning disability charity, Hft, and the largest representative body for independent adult social care providers, Care England, are teaming up to analyse the financial challenges facing social care.

Having previously focused on learning disability in its annual Sector Pulse Check report, Hft has partnered with Care England in order to expand the scope of the survey to include older peoples’ care.

Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive at Care England, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Hft on its annual Sector Pulse Check. Having provided invaluable insight into the state of the learning disability sector for a number of years, identifying the challenges facing providers and how these pressures have evolved, the expansion of this year’s survey to include older persons care represents a landmark opportunity to understand the financial health of the entire adult social care system. It is vital that we have data to help understand and illustrate the unprecedented challenges facing the sector and that is exactly what the Sector Pulse Check 2022 will deliver.

“Care England have repeatedly called on government to deliver a sustainable future for the sector. Without robust evidence, however, these conversations over improved funding settlements will only go so far. We have a new government and a new opportunity – Care England are encouraging all adult social care providers to take part in this year’s survey to ensure it delivers the impact the sector so desperately needs.”

Kirsty Matthews, chief executive of Hft, said: “We are thrilled to be broadening our important research to all adult social care providers this year. The current financial uncertainty and the problems around workforce retention are compounded by increasingly rising costs coming over the course of the coming months.
 
“Without seeing a correlating uplift in government support or local authority fees, care providers will have to find a way to shoulder the cost. With the 2021 Sector Pulse Check research highlighting that 43% of providers had to cease part of their offering or hand back care contracts due to financial pressures in 2021, we are highly concerned that the current circumstances will force more of this ‘last resort’ action. Our new research within the sector will help to highlight the issues our sector is facing.”

The next Sector Pulse Check is due this spring. More information on the Sector Pulse Check 2022, including a link to the survey for providers of adult social care, can be found on Hft’s website.