For three decades, successive governments have attempted (and failed) to reform the social care system. Most debates have focused on finances: who should pay for social care and how much should each person be expected to contribute? These are of course important questions – but if we’re serious about fixing the adult social care system, we must also focus on who will deliver it.
In his recent speech on social care reform, prime minister Andy Burnham put the social care workforce front and centre – emphasising the need to improve pay, training and career progression. He also argued that care workers should be valued for their work.
