A multi-award-winning and much-respected leader in the home care space, Guardian Angel Carers, has joined the voices from the sector, commenting on the announcements that the promised reforms to social care will not have any real-world impact for at least the next three years.
The home care specialists, who have pioneered new approaches to addressing long-standing issues such as carer retention, introducing innovation, and boosting the career prospects of home care professionals, are one of many echoing the calls for more rapid, focused reform to address severe gaps in social care provision.
Recapping the Governmental Proposals for Sweeping Social Care Reforms
Announcements that the government had committed to making significant changes to the social care system were undoubtedly welcome, with a caveat that the Health and Social Care Secretary has clarified that real changes to long-term funding are not due to become available any time before 2028.
Despite stating that immediate investments would be made, this primarily involves an increase of £86 million to the Disabled Facilities Grant, which in itself is a positive move expected to support an additional 7,800 disabled and older adults living at home to receive financial assistance to make home adaptations.
In the meantime, phase one, scheduled for mid-2026, is an investigative and consultative process intended to identify issues and recommend improvements to be made over the medium term.
Councils and local authorities who have described services as ‘on their knees’ will not see an immediate impact—notable given that most adults in need of care, outside of those with complex health needs, are not able to claim NHS-funded social care.
Critics also point to the numerous commissions, enquiries, and reviews that have been conducted over the years, including the 2011 Dilnot Commission. This included a proposed cap on personal care costs, which became legislation but was later scrapped by the current government.
Impacts of Delayed Social Care Budgetary Increases on a Pressured Home Care Sector
Pending the outcomes of phase one, the secondary phase, which is hoped to involve active change, remains scheduled for 2028. It is said to involve longer-term improvements to both the funding and organisation of the care sector.
Among the expected reforms, the government is anticipated to lead initiatives to offer greater financial resources to enable adults with disabilities, ongoing medical conditions, frailty, or mobility limitations linked to older age to remain autonomous about living at home, with financial support to make that more viable—without any need to move into residential care against their wishes.
The government is also expected to delegate greater health checks to care workers, with unspecified support to enable care professionals to conduct interventions like blood pressure checks to avoid reliance on travel to healthcare settings for routine tests.
At this point, there is no clarity about how this will be implemented, not least due to chronic staffing shortages, especially in the public social care sector, and the significant workloads already borne by care workers.
Commentary on the Real-World Impacts of Delayed Funding and Reform for the Social Care Space
Vikki Craig-Vickers, Managing Director at Guardian Angel Carers says, 'First and foremost, we are keenly aware of how so many families may feel seriously disappointed, with the much-promised reforms that many were waiting for now clearly not due to have any immediate impact.
We often speak with families who had been reliant on the proposed care cost caps, for instance, who were shocked to have this removed, and for whom hearing that subsequent reform isn't due to happen within several years leaves them nowhere to turn.
Our advice, as always, is to reach out to your nearest Guardian Angel Carers team for access to confidential, independent advice to ensure you assess your options in the here and now. There may be some forms of benefit support you are entitled to, or ways to structure visiting care in a highly cost-effective way, filling the gaps in care support that can lead to complex care decisions.
Reform is, indeed, a step in the right direction, but with sustained and multifaceted pressures and a crisis affecting so many families, we continue to call for more direct, effective and innovative action.
There is a wealth of data, case studies and clinical evidence from private home care providers such as ourselves that could be an invaluable resource that would expedite consultations and help to move things forward – to the benefit of all.’
Read more about Guardian Angel Carers - Established Home Care Network, Guardian Angel Carers, Remarks on Links Between Home Care Demand and Recent CQC Findings
About Guardian Angel Carers
Guardian Angel Carers is a leading home care provider dedicated to delivering compassionate, personalised care services. With a strong focus on independence, dignity, and quality of life, the company supports individuals in the comfort of their own homes, offering a range of services from companionship to complex care needs.
Media Contact:
Vikki Craig-Vickers
03333 660550
www.gacarers.co.uk
