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.
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