A leading local care provider has called for the adoption of live-in care services to avoid a looming “full-blown crisis” in social care.

The plea from owner and managing director of Bluebird Care Solihull & Birmingham West, Indy Goraya, follows a National Audit Office report which revealed a social care system under significant financial strain, with over half of the reform funding redirected and waiting lists increasing by 37%.

“We could be on the brink of a full-blown crisis in adult social care,” Goraya said. “Innovative strategies like expanding live-in care services are crucial for averting this crisis and securing a sustainable future for our elderly. It’s imperative that the new minister engages with service providers and seizes the opportunity to rethink care delivery in the UK.”

In 2022, the closure of 247 care homes in the UK led to a significant decrease in available care beds, escalating the need for alternative forms of care.

Goraya added: “The broader adoption of live-in care could revolutionise our overstretched social care system. It’s a cost-effective, dignified solution that supports the independence of our elderly and vulnerable populations.”

In 2022, the closure of 247 care homes in the UK led to a significant decrease in available care beds, escalating the need for alternative forms of care.

Goraya added: “The growth in live-in care services is in part a reaction to these closures. Economic pressures, including high interest rates and surging energy costs, are likely factors behind these shutdowns. As a result, live-in care is emerging as a crucial solution within the social care sector.”