Motion 44 and amendments
Congress notes the terrible impact that Covid-19 has had on the adult social care sector.
Thousands of older and disabled people have lost their lives, while the virus has exacted a heavy toll on the care workforce.
Congress believes the pandemic has highlighted the many serious problems with the existing system – such as chronic underfunding, poor employment practices, fragmented service delivery, and the predominance of the profit motive.
Congress is encouraged by the overwhelming consensus that ambitious reform is needed for the sector and the growing impetus behind calls for a national care service.
As part of this, Congress asserts that the ambition should be to deliver the vast majority of care through public funding, and to substantially increase direct public provision of care, with greater parity sought with the NHS in terms of access, pay and training. Upfront investment is also needed to ensure quality, joined-up care for health patients and social care.
Congress also believes that several more immediate actions are required, such as a substantial funding boost, action to address pay and conditions, a focus on training and professionalism – including for line managers and senior managerial staff, who do not receive training comparative to their counterparts in the NHS – collective bargaining, a workforce strategy for the sector, and a move away from the current commissioning model.
Congress calls on TUC General Council to:
i. highlight the glaring inadequacies of the current social care system
ii. campaign for fair pay, living wage, proper sick pay and decent conditions for our under-valued care workforce
iii. support the introduction of a national care service
iv. back efforts to accelerate upfront social care investment
v. campaign alongside unions, service users and other supportive organisations to achieve this.
Mover: UNISON
Seconder: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Supporter: FDA