£600 million social care winter workforce and capacity boost

"The government has unveiled a £600 million package to help with recruitment and retention in social care.

• Funding comes as ministers and NHS England set out priorities for winter planning
• £10 million per year programme will enhance research into adult social care and inform future policies for social care

The fund will support the social care workforce and boost capacity in social care, in turn supporting the NHS ahead of winter and through into next year.

This week the Minister for Care is also writing to local authorities about preparations for winter, and NHS England has written to NHS organisations encouraging contingency planning to prepare for winter demands on the health service. The government is encouraging local health and care systems to prepare jointly for the winter months earlier this year, increasing resilience and preparedness for seasonal viruses such as flu and COVID-19.

The £600 million funding for adult social care includes a £570 million workforce fund over 2 years, distributed to local authorities, and £30 million funding for local authorities in the most challenged health systems. This funding follows the social care workforce reforms announced earlier this year, and works, alongside the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, to build a stronger overall foundation for the health and social care workforce. It will help to improve recruitment and retention, boost workforce capacity and ensure a sustainable social care workforce fit for the future.

A stronger care system will better meet care needs around the country and support the NHS for future winters, preventing admission to hospital and helping people to be discharged from hospital more quickly, cutting waiting times for A&E and ambulances."

Read more on gov.uk here.