Extra cash but extra responsibility, directors say

Social services directors have warned that a 4.7 per cent
increase in funding for social services has to be set against the
increased pressures facing departments, writes Sally
Gillen.

Last year, social services received 5.9 per cent and in
2004/2005 funding will be increased by 6.9 per cent.

Association of Directors of Social Services president Andrew
Cozens said: “The extra resources which have been provided
must be seen in the context of our increased responsibilities, and
the substantial improvements in the overall quality of services
which the government has rightly demanded.”

He added that social services were also under pressure to meet
targets in certain key high profile areas such as delayed
discharges for older people from hospitals, and in responding to
the recommendations from the Laming Inquiry into the death of
Victoria Climbie.

“Much of today’s extra funding will be absorbed by
market pressures within the residential, nursing and domiciliary
care markets,” said Cozens.

The ADSS also renewed its calls for a review of social care
financing similar to the one carried out into the NHS by Derek
Wanless.