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Sally Warren, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund, commented on the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services Budget Survey on Covid-19 

‘This survey adds to the growing body of evidence that social care was neglected at the start of the pandemic, with tragic consequences for families across the country. It paints a picture of a sector struggling to care for people in need, treated as an afterthought by government with support measures coming too little and too late. Hard-working social care staff have done their best with limited resources, but understandably feel let down by government promises of support that haven’t been delivered. In planning for future waves, social care must not be treated as afterthought to the NHS, but as an equal partner in an interdependent system.

‘The responses suggest that there have been more people unable or unwilling to access the support that they need through the pandemic, which can have a profound impact on their lives. The focus to date has understandably been on infections and deaths from Covid-19, but the impact on others who need social care is just as important. Only around 1 in 10 social care directors believe that everyone in their area is being discharged to the right place to meet their needs first time. This could mean people don’t have access to rehabilitation and reablement services to help them live independently, or are inappropriately sent to a care home when they would be better off being supported to live in their own home. Inappropriate placement can have a real impact on quality of life, and this should not be forgotten in the pandemic.’