Government calls for ‘world class’ social care

Following a report from Dame Denise Platt on the condition of social care in the UK, the government has announced the publication of a five-point plan that calls for the sector to aim for world-class status.

Included at the heart of these plans is the establishment of the SocialCare21 skills academy that will aim to develop top-quality leadership and commissioning in the public, private and third sectors.

Other proposals include the creation of a prestigious social care journal, the formation of a system for the identification and promotion of best practice and the founding of a social care board to foster improved coherence in social care and better advise government ministers directly on relevant issues.

Ivan Lewis, social care minister, said: “The measures I have announced today signal the government’s commitment to put excellence at the heart of our ambition for a 21st century social care system.”

He added that the government welcomed debate regarding the founding of a new consensus defining the responsibilities and rights of the state, individual and family with regards to equitable and sustainable long-term funding for social care.

Last month, the Department of Health launched an advertising campaign seeking to increase the number of people entering a career in social care.