SCIE responds to the King’s Speech

Today was a recognition of the scale of the task at hand for the new government. Solving social care will not be an easy or quick mission, but positive steps forward were taken in acknowledging the imperative to succeed in realising this mission.

The commitment to fair pay for care workers is a hugely positive step forward in recognising the vital role they play in supporting people in need and for stabilising the social care sector. Care staff must at last be seen for what they are, a pool of highly skilled professionals.

A fair pay agreement will go a long way to tackling the urgent and longstanding workforce crisis, not least by creating greater pay parity with NHS equivalent staff. Pay is a crucial part of making people feel valued and recognised whilst giving them the assurance and security that there is a long-term career in care. But the agreement must be exactly what it says on the tin: fair. More details will be needed to clarify how the policy will be implemented, how it will be funded and who benefits.

The commitment to modernise the Mental Health Act is long overdue and will bring the legislation into the 21st century. Putting more power in the hands of people and placing them at the centre of decisions about their care is vital. With the end in sight, we now need the government to co-produce the next steps with those who draw on care and support to ensure the ambition of improved treatment becomes a reality.

We look forward to working with the government to help deliver on future plans for the social care sector.