Social care rarely makes the news and has been overlooked for decades. It’s great to see it receiving serious attention from Andy Burnham so early in his time as Prime Minister. For too long, successive Governments have recognised the problems facing social care without having the political courage to properly address them.
Social care has often been put in the ‘too difficult’ box. Sadly, it still appears too difficult for some political parties. The current conversation about reforming it is so important.
I know from personal experience just how important this issue is. During my time as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care in Brent, I saw the pressures facing councils, care workers, families and, most importantly, the people who rely on care to live with dignity and independence.
At that time, Andy Burnham was Shadow Health Secretary. Even then, I could see that social care was an issue he was determined to tackle.
There has understandably been huge attention on our NHS in recent years. After years of underinvestment and the decimation of services under the previous Government, rebuilding the NHS must remain a priority. But if we genuinely want to fix the pressures facing our health service, investing in social care must be a major part.
When social care works properly, people can remain independent for longer. Older people can receive support in their own homes rather than reaching crisis point. People leaving hospital can return home safely, rather than occupying beds because the care they need in the community is not available.
For our communities, there is another important dimension. Families often play an enormous role in caring for elderly or disabled relatives. That family support is invaluable, but we cannot simply assume that relatives will always be able to fill the gaps in the system. People are balancing work, childcare and other responsibilities while caring for those they love.
We also need a social care system that understands the diversity of our communities. Good care must recognise cultural needs, dietary requirements, faith and language. Above all, it must treat every individual with dignity and respect.
As Chair of the Health Committee at City Hall, I continue to see how closely health and social care are connected. The pressures on one inevitably affect the other.
There will be no overnight solution. Reform will require investment, better training and career opportunities for care workers, and genuine cooperation between Government, councils, the NHS and care providers. There will be difficult conversations about how it is paid for, which has been the point at which previous Governments have ended up ducking the issue.
But after years of Governments kicking this issue into the long grass, I welcome the fact that social care is finally receiving the attention it deserves.
Because ultimately, this is about all of us. Most of us will either need care ourselves or have someone we love who does. We should be able to have confidence that, when that day comes, the support will be there.
