Homecare manifesto for the general election

Today we have published our homecare manifesto for the general election on 4 July 2024.  

A quarter of us will be 65 or older in 25 years. Our health and care system is not coping now. To meet this challenge, we must transform how we fund, provide, and ensure access to care. Our manifesto highlights seven areas of focus for an incoming government.  

Key points include: 

1. Home at the Heart - We must make "home first" the default option for care. Needs assessments focused on supporting people at home, accessible info & technology, integrated pathways promoting homecare and fair cost coverage are all essential components. 

2. Power in Partnership - Collaboration across social care, health, housing & voluntary sectors is key. Homecare providers need a voice in integrated care systems. We must empower the people receiving & providing care to help shape services.  

3. Innovate to Improve - To improve homecare, we need models prioritising prevention, addressing social factors, and combining tech, data & in-person care to extend healthy lifespan. ICBs should commission homecare as part of proactive care and public health services.  

4. Care as a Career - Meeting future care demand requires a workforce strategy to attract & retain skilled homecare workers, with fair pay, secure conditions, training, recognition & collaboration.  

5. Invest in the Future - Social care needs a long-term funding settlement to meet demand, improve access & cover full costs (£18.4bn by 2032/33). We must find fairer ways to fund care, like insurance schemes or partnerships and zero-rate VAT on welfare services. 

6. Commission for Value - Commissioning must focus on long-term value & outcomes vs short-term price. Early support & prevention reduces future costs. The Government must fund councils to pay the fair cost of care. 

7. Regulate to Protect - Effective regulation is essential to protect those receiving homecare. Care providers must meet high standards and swift action should be taken on poor performance. England should create a professional register like Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to recognise careworker skills and maintain standards.

We invite you to disseminate our manifesto across your networks. Together we can reshape homecare in the UK. 

The full Manifesto is attached below.

2024-06-05 Manifesto 2024 - Homecare Association.pdf