NCF responds as Liberal Democrats’ launch social care focused election manifesto

The National Care Forum (NCF) – the leading association for not-for-profit social care have responded to the publication today of the Liberal Democrats’ election manifesto and welcomed its strong focus on social care.
Vic Rayner OBE commented: “For the first time we have seen a major political party thinking social care first when launching its election manifesto. The vision with which the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto is framed should help a lot of people to see the positive impact care has on improving lives for individuals and wider society. This makes a welcome and refreshing change to how care has previously been positioned as an endless series of issues to be kicked around and ultimately dismissed.
“As well as pledging to introduce free personal care for older or disabled people at home, the Liberal Democrats have also outlined much needed support for the care workforce, including a workforce plan, improved pay and better recognition and career progression. This ambition aligns with our calls for measures that start to create parity of esteem for care workers when compared to their NHS colleagues and establishes care as a career to be pursued like any other.
“It is also good to see the Liberal Democrats with a future-focussed ambition on the use of tech in care that realises that the development of advancements in digital, data and
innovation relies on embracing the experiences and voices of people who draw on care. We hope that with the Liberal Democrats having shone such a strong light on social care, making the potential it holds for society front and centre of their campaign, both Labour and the Conservatives come out of the shadows with something equally as bold. Silence or a limited focus on care from either party would certainly be a misstep at this stage.
“It’s vital that people drawing on care are given the opportunity to add their perspectives to election manifesto announcements. We are working with our members to gather together the reactions of people they provide care and support to which will provide a strong indication of where parties are doing things right and where others are falling short.”
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity added: “At the Care Workers’ Charity, we are pleased to see a manifesto that prioritises social care. A wage for care workers that is above the NMW and a professional body for care workers are issues on which we have campaigned for a long time. Care workers do amazing work every day supporting the lives of other people. Seeing the social care workforce on this manifesto gives us hope that politicians finally recognise the importance care workers and their contributions to the society.”