Financial Impact Assessment of Providers of Services to People with a Learning Disability and Autistic People

The independent report prepared by Cordis Bright confirms what VODG has been telling government for some time – that the current funding envelope is inadequate and coupled with severe inflationary pressures is very quickly pushing services to the brink. The analysis shows how funding is well below the increase in staffing costs, with some providers now handing back contracts.

The report reinforces shared messages to government, including aligning social care pay to NHS Pay Bands and providing emergency funding to support the care workforce this winter ahead.

Responding on the release of the report, VODG Chief Executive Dr Rhidian Hughes said:

“Behind the stark figures in this report are the lives of people with a learning disability and autism who require social care to enable them to lead independent and fulfilling lives. This report confirms what the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group has been telling government for some time – that the current funding envelope is inadequate and coupled with severe inflationary pressures is very quickly pushing services to the brink. 

We must not lose sight of the human impact of depleted services. Rising levels of unmet need are depleting the quality of people’s lives. For our valued care staff a race to the bottom is unacceptable and we need government to urgently step in and align social care pay to NHS Pay Bands as recommended in this report. 

We are no longer speaking about risks. The issues are with us and government has a responsibility to address them. Today government can choose to take action by providing emergency funding to support the care workforce this winter ahead of action on pay.”