Tens of thousands of people are turning to social services for urgent help because of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on families and individuals with support needs, who are unable to cope any further on their own, or whose usual arrangements have broken down.
Family carers are going without crucial services whilst providing many hours of additional care for loved ones with increasing needs, new research by Carers UK reveals.
The Government must ensure that social care is never again left exposed to a pandemic, says the President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care.
Carers say they feel ignored and invisible in the pandemic, with some left to care round the clock for loved ones with complex health conditions and disabilities.
The new Care Act easements mean that the duty of local authorities to carry out full needs assessments of unpaid carers, and those needing care, does not apply.
A plan for prosperity must include fixes to the fundamental design flaws and funding shortfalls that have left Universal Credit unfit for purpose, says Child Poverty Action Group.