Rachael Dodgson, Chief Executive of Dimensions, which supports 3,000 people with learning disabilities and autistic adults across England and Wales and employs 7,000 colleagues, said:
“It’s great news that Andy Burnham has chosen to start his premiership by prioritising adult social care reform which has been neglected for so long.
Baroness Louise Casey’s Big Conversation on Care is a key opportunity for the voices of working-age adults with learning disabilities and autistic people to be heard.
We all recognise the longstanding social care access and funding challenges for older people. But adult social care provides essential support for a much broader population. More than 1 in 3 people who receive publicly funded long-term care are between the ages of 18 to 64. And this number has risen every year for the last four years. *
It was also refreshing to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge the skilled nature of the country’s 1.5 million care and support workers and pledge to improve training and career progression as a priority. The PM mentioned the government’s £500m Fair Pay Agreement, which we welcome. However, the allocated £500m won’t be enough to make a real difference to the pay packets of care and support workers.
Clearly, national government needs to adequately fund councils so they can afford to pay for the real cost of care and support in adult social care.
This funding should be ring-fenced at a local authority level so that providers can meet the ever-increasing costs of support. Large disparities persist between local authorities, with the highest-paying councils offering fee rates two to five times more than the lowest.*
For adults with learning disabilities and autistic people, these decisions are not abstract. Underfunded care and support means missed opportunities to live independently, longer stays in hospital, and an ever-increasing level of unmet need.”
ARC England’s fee rate map in April, which showed a 3.8% drop in fee rate uplifts for supported living.
About Dimensions:
Dimensions supports almost 3,000 adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. Our 7,000 colleagues provide support across England and Wales.
Dimensions and its four subsidiaries – Discovery, Dimensions Cymru, Dimensions Personalised Support, and Outreach3Way – is the UK’s largest not-for-profit support provider for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.*
We are also a registered housing provider and believe everyone should have access to good housing and choice about where they live. Our housing team finds, provides and maintains nearly 700 homes. We also act as landlords for people who are supported by partner organisations. We work with half of all local authorities in England and Wales.
We also provide support in residential care homes, outreach services, and short breaks. We work closely with family members.
Founded in 1976, Dimensions supports people to live ordinary lives as part of their local community. We are guided by our vision: Better Lives for More People.
The organisation shines a spotlight on people’s achievements through the annual Leaders Awards. Dimensions champions adults with learning disabilities and autistic people in parliament to influence policy. It campaigns with people to build meaningful friendships and promote better health.
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