Resources
Adult social care spending
This section specifically examines Adult Social Care expenditure for packages of care. It excludes expenses related to staffing or any other areas and does not incorporate income, including contributions made by eligible clients towards their care costs. This approach is designed to facilitate comparisons with other Local Authority Market Position Statements.
The total spends for adult social care services increased from £126m in 2018/19 to £155m in 2021/22, representing a £29m increase and a 23% growth in gross expenditure. Among the various types of care, Supported Living accounted for 20% of this expenditure in 2018/19 and 23% in 2021/22. Day care accounted for 4% of expenditure in 2028/19 reducing to 2% in 2021/22. Respite expenditure has remained constant at 1% between 2018/19 to 2021/22.
We have several statutory responsibilities, including setting a balanced budget. We recognise the need to remain within budget, but also to help maintain the quality, sustainability, and accessibility of adult social care services in Warwickshire.
Workforce
Recruitment in the adult social care sector remains a persistent challenge, particularly for working-age adults in Warwickshire. The allure of higher-paying job opportunities in alternative sectors poses difficulties in attracting and retaining skilled workers. In addition, specific recruitment challenges exist in the south and more rural parts of the county which impact potential service delivery. To address this, a concerted effort is essential to enhance the appeal for prospective care workers.
The council is committed to collaborating with providers and the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) in system-wide initiatives. These initiatives aim to highlight the intrinsic rewards of working in the care industry, emphasising the positive impact on people’s lives.
Some providers have successfully utilised Home Office Sponsorship licenses to engage overseas workers. Acknowledging associated risks, the council is actively developing resources to assist the market in licence application and effective management, aiming to mitigate identified risks.
The commitment is ongoing to work closely with all partners, addressing the challenges for care service delivery and adapting services to meet future demands and pressures.