Cash boost for social care providers

Tuesday, 21 March 2023 10:25

By David Murphy

Increased fees will be paid to providers of social care to help ensure that Bury’s most vulnerable people will continue to be well looked after.

The move is also to encourage providers to pay the Real Living Wage to their staff, a key policy of the council designed to benefit thousands of people who work in social care.

The council has agreed to increases of either 12.4% or 14.7% depending on the type of care provided, whether in a residential home or a person’s own house.

The aim is to ensure providers are financially able to meet current and future needs, and move towards a sustainable Cost of Care.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for adult care, health and wellbeing, said: “We acknowledge that providers of social care are facing a number of cost pressures: from inflation and energy prices to implementing the National Living Wage increase and ongoing Covid pressures.

“There is also increasing demand for more complex provision, including dementia and nursing services, and to support people to live well at home.”

He added: “We have made a substantial financial commitment to paying our lowest paid staff and those in organisations we commission.

“Organisations which pay the Real Living Wage recruit and keep more of their staff. People are better motivated and work harder, and are attracted to work there.

“It’s good for staff, but also the organisations who pay them. It’s why we’re recommending other employers across the borough adopt it.”