Working with ADSS Cymru and Solace Wales, the WLGA has set out a refreshed vision for social care, arguing that the current system is under unsustainable pressure and must evolve to meet growing demand.

More than 81,000 people currently receive care and support, with councils carrying out over 126,000 assessments annually. Around 80% of people rate their care as good or excellent, but councils warn this is becoming harder to sustain.  

Councils say social care is a vital public service that helps people live independently, protects the most vulnerable and supports children, families and adults in every community.

However, rising demand, workforce shortages and financial pressures are making this increasingly difficult to maintain.

The vision calls for a move away from crisis-driven responses towards earlier help and stronger community-based support. Councils argue that services should remain rooted in local government, where they can be shaped around the needs of local people.

It also highlights the need to invest earlier in support for children and families and make better use of digital tools to help people stay independent and reduce pressure on services.
Councils are calling for immediate action to address cost and workforce pressures, alongside a wider national conversation about how social care is funded in the long term.

Councillor Jane Gebbie, WLGA Spokesperson for Social Care, said:

“This is the reality people working in social care see every day. Services are doing everything they can to support people, but the pressure is relentless.

“We cannot keep asking more of a system that is already stretched too far. If we want a system that truly works for people, we have to invest earlier, helping families before things reach crisis point and supporting people to stay independent for longer.

“That’s better for people and makes better use of public money. But that shift won’t happen without proper, long-term funding and a workforce that feels valued and supported.

“This refreshed vision is about being honest about the challenges we face, but also confident about the solutions. Social care in Wales continues to deliver every day for people and communities, but the system is under unsustainable pressure.”

Claire Marchant, ADSS Cymru Cadeirydd, said:

“This vision reflects what directors of social services see every day – a dedicated workforce delivering high quality care in incredibly challenging circumstances. We know what works: early support, strong local partnerships and services designed around people rather than systems.

"But ambition alone is not enough. Without sustainable funding, workforce investment and genuine system wide commitment to prevention, we will continue to be locked into crisis response. This vision sets out a shared direction of travel, and ADSS Cymru looks forward to working with WLGA, Welsh Government and partners to deliver meaningful change for people across Wales.” 
 

A Vision for Social Care in Wales

Spending by the UK Government on education and young people with special education needs and disabilities in England is anticipated to result in as yet unconfirmed Barnett consequential funding for Wales.

Councils warn that without sustained and fair funding, communities will continue to feel the impact through stretched services and less support for preventing issues before they escalate.

One of the most acute pressures highlighted by councils is in education. Around one-third of all council spending in Wales goes on schools, with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) costs rising sharply. ALN spending accounts for more than a quarter of all school budget pressures, with more than 70 per cent of ALN spending going directly to support learners.

Councils say the growing complexity of need, alongside learner transport and workforce costs, is creating unsustainable financial strain.

Councils have reported a £69 million overspend in social care in-year, due to rising demand rising and cases becoming more complex with more than 81,000 people relying on ongoing care and support.

Concerns have also been raised about the future of local economic investment. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which replaced EU funding, supported locally delivered projects to create jobs and strengthen communities. Its successor, the Local Growth Fund, comes with a significantly reduced overall allocation. Councils say this could limit support for place-based programmes that help businesses grow and people into work.

Councillor Anthony Hunt, WLGA Spokesperson for Finance, said:

“The Spring Statement presents an opportunity. If additional funding comes to Wales, it must reach the frontline services that people rely on every day, particularly in education and young people with additional learning needs.  
 
“Councils are facing exceptional pressures across the board, but none so great as in social care and education. These are not optional services; they are lifelines for families and vulnerable residents.  
 
“We are offering the next Welsh Government a genuine partnership. The current Welsh Government listened to the concerns of local government in last year’s settlement. My hope is that they do the same here.  
 
“With fair, multi-year funding and a shared focus on prevention, councils can move beyond managing crisis to investing in resilience, growth and better outcomes for people across Wales.” 
 

Councils report demand for services is rising, budgets are tightening, and needs are becoming more complex. They warn that without long-term investment from Welsh Government, essential care for children, families and older people will become harder to sustain. 

This year, adult and children’s services are seeing more complex cases and are experiencing higher costs. In 2023/24, social services in Wales responded to nearly 450,000 contacts, an eight per cent rise on the previous year. 

Demand for home care, support for people with learning disabilities, and mental health services is also rising. More than 81,000 people now rely on ongoing care and support from social services.    

The Welsh Local Government Association’s (WLGA) 2025 Social Services Pressures Report shows that social care accounts for over £200m of council budget pressures in 2026-27. That is more than a third of all local government pressures. Around £126m of this is driven by staff pay and rising costs, and £75m by growing demand. 

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of the WLGA took part in a panel discussion at the Welsh NHS Confederation Annual Conference, highlighting the key role of local government in building a more preventative and sustainable health and care system and the importance of working in close partnership with health and other partners. 

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, WLGA Leader said: 

“Social care is about people and relationships. Every day, social care workers, social workers and families make an extraordinary difference to someone’s life, often in difficult circumstances. I was pleased to join discussions with the Welsh NHS Confederation, highlighting the critical role of social care in supporting an effective NHS and identifying opportunities for closer collaboration to maintain good health and support communities with their wellbeing and independence. 

“Councils are working closely with health partners to support hospital discharge and help people live independently. But rising demand and costs mean councils can’t manage this alone. We’re calling for a long-term plan for social care, with real investment in prevention, the workforce and partnership working.  

“Even with the financial pressures, services are still performing well. Care Inspectorate Wales rates 84 per cent of adult care and 78 per cent of children’s services as good or excellent and I thank all staff for their hard work and commitment to deliver care and support services every day of the week. 

“Councils are determined to keep providing the support people rely on, but we need a long-term plan that values care as a vital part of our communities. Investing in social care means investing in people, in dignity and in the strength of Wales itself.” 

The Welsh Government’s funding will be shared among local authorities to strengthen community-based social care and speed up hospital discharges. Councils will use it to support timely assessments and secure care packages, so people can leave hospital safely and receive support at home.

In many areas, the investment will also help fund preventative work, such as multi-disciplinary teams that reduce avoidable hospital admissions and support people to remain independent for longer.

Local authorities deliver the majority of social care services in Wales, working closely with health boards to ensure safe, timely hospital discharges. However, social care budgets remain under severe strain, with many councils already spending more than they receive to meet urgent needs.

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is calling for continued partnership working and a sustainable, long-term funding plan to ensure social care can keep pace with the growing needs of communities across Wales.

Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care said:

“This funding is a welcome boost to help councils and the NHS work together so people can leave hospital as soon as they’re well enough, with the right care in place at home. It will make a real difference in easing pressures this winter and supporting people to recover in the best place for them.

“Social care teams are already working flat out, and while this investment will help in the short term, we need to keep building on it together to make sure services can meet rising demand in the years ahead.”

Giving evidence to the Inquiry’s social care module, Dr Chris Llewelyn, WLGA Chief Executive, set out the challenges the sector faced before, during and after the pandemic – and the lessons that must be learned. 

He highlighted the long-standing fragility of the sector, with ongoing workforce pressures around recruitment, retention and morale, and warned that despite social care’s critical front-line role during the pandemic, it was too often treated as secondary to the NHS. 

Dr Llewelyn told the Inquiry that social care staff in Wales worked under intense pressure, shouldering emotional, physical and psychological burdens. They faced increased workloads, frequent changes to guidance, safety risks, and limited access to PPE, testing and vaccination in the early stages of the pandemic. 

The WLGA is calling for social care to be treated as an equal partner in a truly integrated system. It says the sector needs: 

• Greater investment in prevention and care in the community 
• Parity of esteem and reward with the NHS 
• Continued support for infection control training 
• Clearer alignment between national, regional and local responses 
• Updated guidance and pandemic planning based on lived experience 

Dr Chris Llewelyn, Chief Executive of the WLGA said: 

“Learning the lessons of the pandemic experience is important but this also relates to the ways in which social care is valued as a service and as a profession. Within the sector, there needs to be a better understanding of infection control and prevention, but within a wider framework which looks at recruitment, retention, training, qualifications, continuous professional development and elevating the sector as a whole.” 

“The more engagement there is with people who work at the operational and delivery side, the more effective it’s likely to be. The earlier that local government is engaged in developing guidance, the more effective it will be.” 

The White Paper Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, published last week, sets out plans to restrict international recruitment for care worker roles and increase the threshold for work visas. Council leaders say these changes will make it even harder to recruit and retain the care staff needed to support older and disabled people.

The WLGA is urging the UK Government to recognise social care as a vital, skilled profession that deserves greater status and support. Councils are urging ministers to reconsider the approach outlined in the White Paper and to work in partnership with devolved governments and local government to find long-term solutions.

The WLGA will continue to work alongside ADSS Cymru, Social Care Wales, and the Welsh Government to monitor the impact of international recruitment changes and to push for urgent action to protect services and support the social care workforce.

Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care said:

“Councils have long struggled to recruit social care workers, especially in rural and coastal areas. The Welsh Government’s Real Living Wage has helped, but international recruitment has been an important part of keeping services going. These proposals risk shutting off a vital source of social care workers at the very moment local services are under extreme pressure. Councils are working hard to support people to live with dignity and independence – but this depends on having a workforce in place.

"Removing this option without a fully funded plan to grow the domestic workforce is a significant risk. It will take time and investment to build a resilient, sustainable care workforce. In the meantime, we fear the consequences will be felt by the people who rely most on support – older people, people with disabilities, and unpaid carers.

"Workforce planning must reflect the reality on the ground. Local authorities are uniquely placed to understand the needs of their communities, and their insights must shape national decisions.”

Please click here for a statement by ADSS

Councils support carers through the provision of advice, information, advocacy, and assessments, which all carers have a right to access.  However, local authorities in Wales face estimated financial pressures of £559 million for the next year. Social care accounts for 40% of this gap.

The 2021 Census estimates there are over five million unpaid carers in England and Wales, approximately nine per cent of the population. More recent research by Carers UK suggests this figure could be as high as 10.6 million, highlighting the significant number of individuals who may need support that councils could struggle to provide without additional funding.

Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said: 

“Unpaid carers are crucial in preventing crises and reducing service demand. Councils see them as a key part of the wider social care workforce, alongside volunteers and paid staff. On behalf of all council leaders in Wales, I want to thank them for their dedication and care.” 

“Councils across the country work hard to make sure carers can access the support they need. However, demand for services and complexity of need is rising, budgets are tighter, and families are under more pressure. Rising costs of living and challenges in recruiting and retaining the social care workforce are exacerbating the situation.”

“Most councils already spend above the funding allocated by Welsh Government for social care services. Without increased funding, some councils will struggle to balance budgets. This will worsen existing pressures and significantly impact on the ability to deliver timely and good quality care and support to those who need it, when they need it. The unintended consequences add to the pressure and challenges that carers face.”

A WLGA survey of council budgets has identified £106m of in-year pressures in social services (2024-25).  An additional £223m pressure is anticipated next year[SB1] , representing 40% of the overall pressure for local government (£559m) just to stand still.

The Welsh Local Government Association has written to the Welsh Government outlining the severe outlook for social services.

Councils warn that without further help, meeting care and support needs will become increasingly difficult, impacting NHS and health care service delivery with residents waiting longer for care in the community.

Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, WLGA Health and Social Care Spokesperson said:

“Councils across Wales support the First Minister’s priority in improving access to social care and to create the healthier Wales that we all want to see. But the gravity of the financial challenge faced by social services and local government cannot be overstated. Simply put, the position is unsustainable.”

“More and more, councils are having to focus social care spend on addressing increasing demand for services and rising cost pressures in critical frontline services, leaving fewer and fewer resources available for preventative support. Prevention and early intervention support is vital for helping people maintain independent, healthy lives, improving life chances, preventing homelessness, and avoiding individuals and their families from reaching crisis point.

“Sustainable investment in social care also needs to be seen as an essential component to the ambition of building an NHS that is fit for the future, where health is about more than healthcare and hospitals. Services such as, housing, culture, youth, and economic development, have a huge role to play in influencing the conditions that keep people well and healthy in their own communities. Investment in such services delivered by councils brings multiple benefits, including for individuals and longer-term savings to the public purse.

“The harsh reality is that without additional investment, councils will face difficult choices and decisions on how best to balance their budgets whilst focusing on maintaining essential services. Any new legislative requirements or expectations of councils will need to be fully funded – the hope of doing more with less is long passed. Without increased funding for social care, the existing financial pressures will grow and unfortunately, will severely affect the ability of councils to provide timely, high-quality care and support to those who need it most.”

ENDS -

The intrinsic link between social care and the NHS means that winter preparedness cannot be considered by any organisation in isolation and a sustainable NHS depends on a sustainable social care system. However, delayed hospital discharges and rising complexity of need are clear indicators of the strain the whole system is under.

Councils are already spending beyond the funding provided for social care to provide much needed care and support services and without additional resources, delays in the care system and the knock-on effect on health services will only worsen, with vulnerable individuals left waiting for essential care and support.

Councils are increasingly concerned about the mounting pressures faced by social care services, which are already straining under workforce shortages, increasing demand, and inflationary pressures. Without immediate and sustained investment, the ability to deliver timely care and support to those who need it most will be severely compromised.

Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, Health and Social Services Spokesperson said:
​
"Social care is vital to keeping our health service running smoothly, especially during the winter when demand is at its peak. We can’t keep relying on quick fixes; we need to ensure the right levels of investment are available to ensure we have a properly joined-up system that prevents hospital admissions, helps people stay independent, and makes sure they can leave hospital when they're ready, with the appropriate care and support in the community.

“Councils are doing everything they can, but the challenges are significant. Without extra funding, the system will keep buckling under the pressure, which will hit both those needing care and the staff providing it.

"Putting more focus on prevention and early support is key to easing the load. If we can help people in the community before things get worse, it will save a lot of strain on both social care and the NHS. That’s why we’re calling on the Welsh Government to make long-term funding for social care a priority, so we can make sure the whole health and care system keeps working for our communities."

Yesterday’s report demonstrates the impact that a growing and ageing population along with increasing numbers of people with multiple long-term health conditions will have on both the Welsh NHS and our social care system.

Both health and social care are under unprecedented strain but the report highlights that pressures will keep rising pointing to significant challenges ahead.

Responding to the report Cllr Huw David OBE, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said:

We welcome the fact that people are living longer but the challenges of improving the care for an ageing population which is growing and enabling people to live independent lives for longer is one that we have been grappling with for some time. Yesterday’s report further highlights the important questions over how care should be delivered in future, and how we can best respond to the demands that will be placed on our essential services.

It is absolutely crucial that our response to these challenges treats social care with parity alongside the NHS as an integrated system. Many of the conditions that are projected to increase highlighted in the report are those that can be managed well in the community. This reinforces the need for investment in community-based services, focusing on prevention and early intervention to reduce the impact of illness and improve the quality of people’s lives.

Local government recently published its vision for social care in Wales which is in line with this ambition. It highlights the need for increased investment in home and community support, moving from health systems centred around hospitals, to health and social care systems focused on communities and community services.

We know that the biggest impact on health and wellbeing is in addressing the wider determinants of health and this means ensuring that councils are sufficiently resourced to fulfil their core purpose of supporting their citizens and communities to have the best start in life, to live well and age well.

Ends –

Responding to Social Care Wales’ survey of the registered workforce in Wales, Councillor Huw David OBE (Bridgend), WLGA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care said:

“Social care workers undertake incredible work every day enabling all those who draw on care and support to live a fulfilling life. The fact that social care workers feel valued by the people and families they support is testament to the dedication and commitment that the workforce continues to demonstrate.”

“However, the survey adds further evidence to the need to address the workforce challenges facing us with urgency. The fact that many still reflect that they feel undervalued by the public and underpaid for the work they do remains a cause for concern. We need a workforce who are truly valued, have parity of esteem with NHS workers and are appropriately rewarded for the invaluable work they do. It is essential that we prioritise and invest in our social care workforce, failing to do so will have severe consequences for the future delivery of our essential social care services which play such an important part in many people’s lives.”

Ends –

The letter details a shared local government long-term vision for social care developed by WLGA and ADSS Cymru in conjunction with key local government representatives, including Solace Wales, HR Directors, and the Society of Welsh Treasurers, along with Social Care Wales. It demonstrates council’s willingness and commitment to work in partnership with Government, and other stakeholders, in examining how we can transform our social care services leading to improved outcomes for citizens.

The ambition is to create a resilient health and social care system that enhances citizens’ independence and well-being.  Whilst we acknowledge the difficulties posed by the current financial climate, in order to achieve this vision, there is a critical need for investment in our local government services. This requires action by both the UK and Welsh Government to ensure that sustainable funding flows from Westminster that enables Welsh Government to invest in vital local services.

Cllr Huw David, WLGA spokesperson for Health and Social Care said:

“The financial pressures faced by local government and social services cannot be overstated. Overspending on social services in the last financial year alone amounted to an estimated £93m, with local authorities drawing approximately £193m from reserves.

“Furthermore, a severe recruitment and retention crisis is affecting the health, social care, and voluntary sectors. Urgent action is needed to ensure that the workforce is valued, enjoys parity with NHS workers, and receives appropriate remuneration. The demographic changes, cost of living, workforce challenges, and inflationary pressures being experienced across health and social care means there is a need for substantial investment and a re-focussed approach.

“The proposed local government vision emphasizes the need for increased investment in home and community support that will keep individuals safe and independent, with access to rapid treatment or crisis support when required. By focusing on providing care in the right place at the right time, the aim is to create more efficient and effective services. For children and families, the vision advocates investing in preventative, universal, and early help services to prevent problems from escalating.”

WLGA calls for collaboration among local leaders, communities, and partners across sectors, including health, housing, businesses and the wider public sector to transform our model of health and social care, prioritising prevention and community-based support.

Ends –

Councillor Huw David OBE (Bridgend), WLGA Spokesperson for Health and Social Care said: 

“Today and every day, we rightly recognise the NHS and its workforce for the integral role it has played in saving countless lives every day over the last 75 years. To protect the health service for years to come, we must increase investment in social care to recognise the role they play. 

“These services provide vital physical, emotional, and social support so that people can live healthy lives in their own communities and away from hospital or GP waiting rooms. By reducing demand on hospitals through council-led prevention work in our communities, we can tackle the root causes of system pressures.  

“Local government is working closely with the Welsh Government and the wider health sector to boost community care and ease pressures on the whole system. We are extremely grateful for the commitment by the Minister and Deputy Minister of up to £30m to help strengthen capacity. But we must think differently about health and wellbeing and to strive to prevent people from becoming ill in the first place. Prevention is better than cure and, by working together, we can help to ensure that the NHS and our social care services continue to be there for those who need them for the next 75 years and beyond.” 

ENDS- 

Councillor Llinos Medi (Anglesey) said: 

“As local government has long been clear, the hard-working social care sector urgently needs sustainable long-term support. Last year’s extra funding by Welsh Government was welcomed. But it is essential that budgets keep pace with rising demand and to meet increasingly complex needs. 

“Councils have been proactive in working to recruit and retain more staff. However there remains significant workforce challenges across the public sector, notably in the NHS where a lack of GPs, ambulance staff, nurses and doctors are also impeding its provision. 

“There is some way to go before social care staff have the same terms and conditions of employment as their NHS colleagues. This anomaly only adds to the challenge of recruitment and retention.  We are working closely with the NHS to address workforce challenges and making sure we use the capacity we do have to best effect.”

 Councillor Huw David OBE, (Bridgend) said:

“Also significant is the increased demand and pressures in Children’s Services. Severe difficulties in finding appropriate placements for those who need to be in care or safeguarded is also impacting budgets and the capacity of the workforce. The Cost-of-Living crisis is likely to only further fuel demand for support. 

“Local government is keen that we can focus on preventative and early intervention services, working closely with primary and community care services, to also hold off the need for emergency and crisis interventions.”

Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, (Conwy) said:

“Addressing the many systemic challenges in both the health and social care sectors must be a shared endeavour. Social care works closely at local and regional levels with the NHS to help tackle pressures in the system. It is disappointing that only NHS leaders were surveyed and that a ‘team approach’ was not undertaken to consult the entire system. 

“No part of the health and care system can resolve these issues alone. Local government will continue to work closely with Welsh Government, the NHS, and other partners with urgency and in earnest to resolve these issues.” 

-ENDS- 

Cllr Huw David (Bridgend), WLGA Spokesperson for Social Care and Health said:

“The social care workforce has been phenomenal throughout this period and so we welcome this additional payment which contributes towards acknowledging the tremendous effort, immeasurable contributions and sacrifices social care workers have made during extremely difficult times, recognising the invaluable care and support that social care workers provide to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“Throughout the pandemic the social care system has been and continues to be under immense strain. The WLGA has long been calling for the need for extra funding for the social care sector in Wales in order to place it on a sustainable footing and we welcome the additional funding for social care in Welsh Government’s draft budget, including funding to pay social care workers the Real Living Wage. However, we know there remains significant challenges ahead. Local government remain committed to working with all partners to ensure that the social care system is an attractive career choice to individuals, where workers are valued, appropriately rewarded and have a pathway to career progression within a professionalised care sector.”

-ENDS-

Councillor Andrew Morgan (Rhondda Cynon Taf), WLGA Leader said:

“Hard working health and social care staff have been Wales’ heroes during the pandemic. These comments are as unfortunate as they are insulting to a workforce that has been stretched to breaking point. Partnership has been a key feature over the past 18 months, which makes these comments even more disappointing.

“As has become crystal clear to us all, dedicated care workers continue to go above and beyond to care for the most vulnerable in society, and will not be lectured to by faceless, profit-driven individuals.

“We will get through this crisis together and local councils will work with all their partners in health and the voluntary sector and committed, constructive partners in the independent sector.  We are also committed to working to help deliver Welsh Government’s ambition to rebalance the social care sector, deliver the Real Living Wage, remove profit motive from children’s services and focus on meeting the social care needs and improving the wellbeing of the vulnerable in our communities.”

-ENDS-

“The role of unpaid carers has always been integral, but the COVID crisis has highlighted that even more so. Today’s report provides further evidence of the critical role played by unpaid carers and the significant contribution that they make. The reality is that without carers, the independence and quality of life of many is diminished and the burden on our social services and NHS becomes even greater. Few jobs or roles are more important.”

“Local government fully understands this and by working together with partner organisations including health and Welsh Government we need to ensure that we identify the opportunities and financial resources for local government to enable us to make sure that carers have the recognition and support that they deserve.”

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Further information on the research by Carers Wales is available here

“The coronavirus has hit our social care sector like a tsunami. Our brilliant social care workforce has been on the frontline throughout the crisis in doing all they can to protect and care for our most vulnerable residents at such a critical time. It’s important that we all learn from the extraordinary experiences of the pandemic. Today’s report contains a number of recommendations for Welsh Government and we will work with the government and others to address key issues which we hope will support us all as we continue to respond to the pandemic and ease lockdown measures.

“Although it is clear we are now past the first peak of this virus, our elderly and most vulnerable people continue to be at risk. We must continue to work to make sure there is a reliable and sustainable supply of PPE available to all social care and health workers that need it, along with others, and that the testing regime remains a priority.”

“The impact of the virus, particularly on care homes, simply cannot be overstated. Local government is eager to work with other partners to ensure all care homes are appropriately supported where cases are reported, as well as being proactive in doing all we can to prevent the virus from entering care homes. The need to protect older and vulnerable residents in care homes will require concerted efforts and to be closely monitored at the local level. We are from being out of the woods, and we need to keep on guard to support our residents and minimise the impact of this devastating disease.

“Councils have worked quickly to introduce services, as well as keeping their usual functions running, to make sure that people are supported and that no-one is left behind.  Local government is working with Welsh Government to ensure that councils and social care services are sufficiently funded to maintain that support for the tough weeks and months ahead. It Is imperative that the necessary funding is provided by the UK Government to Wales through sustainable funding being provided to social care, as was highlighted recently by the Chief Executive of the NHS in England.

“Our incredible social care workers and NHS staff are on the frontline against this deadly disease. It is essential that they are properly valued and treated with the parity and respect that they so deserve.”

-ENDS-

Soaring demand and extra costs over a number of years have put social care services under enormous strain. The current coronavirus crisis has brought those pressures into sharp focus, as services have seen a rapid spike in demand and added costs.

Councillor Huw David (Bridgend), Spokesperson for Health and Social Care said:

“There is little doubt that social care services have faced and will continue to face enormous challenges over the coming years with increasing demand and expectations. Councils have consistently pressed for the need to ensure the financial sustainability of our vital social care services. We recognise that there are challenges across our system, which is why councils’ calls for support have been for the entire sector, including those in the private sector who deliver commissioned services on behalf of local authorities. It is only by working constructively in partnership across the sector, rather than playing one off against the other, that we can ensure that all those providing important services are supported and protected in the same way.”

“We all know how fragile the care sector is. Whilst austerity has had and continues to have a significant impact, we also need to consider the way in which our system operates. Research has shown the significant profits that some care home operators are making across the UK, with hundreds of millions of pounds going to offshore investors. Many of the firms that provide most of the UK’s 465,000 care home beds are owned or backed by hedge funds, while some of the biggest are based in overseas tax havens. The financial information relating to some of the larger for-profit chains is almost entirely hidden from view. This makes it almost impossible to account for where public money ends up.”

“There is a need to look at how our care home sector is structured to ensure transparency over profitability and costs, and to address fragility in the sector where needed. Councils continue to call on Welsh Government for increased and sustainable funding for social care, for meeting both increased demand for services and to ensure our workforce are more fairly paid, working with all partners in delivering the best for the citizens in our care.”

-ENDS-

“We are extremely pleased that Welsh Government has managed to find a way forward to give all workers in care home settings this recognition for their key role, that they continue to work with the UK Government and HMRC to try to ensure that every penny of the payment reaches people’s pockets.”

“Over the last few months, staff in care homes have shown the utmost dedication to work together as a team to give the best possible care to those who most need it. In addition to personal care workers, it is absolutely right that the extra payment is extended to all workers in care home settings, along with personal assistants and domiciliary care workers. At such a worrying time, and under very tough circumstances, they are doing all they can to wrap a comfort blanket of support and safety around the most vulnerable in our society. Their role will continue to be absolutely vital as the response efforts continue.”

-ENDS-

NOTES FOR EDITORS:  Please find more information here about the First Minister’s announcement of the extension of the extra payment: https://gov.wales/care-home-staff-receive-ps500-extra-payment