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 While we have yet to hear of a more fundamental sector reform, the King's Speech has set the stage for the new government's priorities with a few key steps forward. Aldingbourne Trust's Managing Director, Sue Livett, shares her insights.
Mental Health Act Reform An update of the Mental Health Act is something MIND has called a "once-in-a-generation opportunity," and we certainly echo this sentiment. Sue comments, "The reform promises to strengthen people's rights, choice, and control during treatment. This is welcome news if it reduces the number of admissions, emphasising proportionate and respectful treatment approaches. For too long, autistic people and those with learning disabilities have been detained when more suitable, community based support would have led to better outcomes." Fair Pay Agreement for Social Care Low pay for care workers remains a significant issue within the social care sector, with 77% of people believing that care workers are paid too little (according to research from the Health Foundation and Nuffield Trust). However, the inclusion of adult social care pay increases in the planned Employment Rights Bill is a positive development. Sue notes, "This is great news, but it must be aligned with ensuring that local authorities are funded to pass these increases on as soon as possible." The announcement of another royal commission on social care, however, raises concerns about potential delays. "My shelf is full of reports, recommendations and calls to action to improve social care – there is no shortage of evidence," says Sue. What is lacking is decisive action and concrete decisions to implement these improvements. The time to act is now. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]  If you've visited the Country Centre recently, you may have seen this green-eyed furry fellow. After the passing of our beloved cat, Spock, we knew it was important to find another feline friend to continue bringing comfort and joy to not just the people we support but, in fact, everyone on site. Thanks to the generous funding from the 'Friends of Aldingbourne Trust', we were able to adopt Quentin.
Finding the right cat wasn't easy. We needed a semi-domestic, semi-feral cat to suit our unique environment. After a thorough search, we found Quentin through a local charity, WADARS, in Ferring. He was originally found on Queen Street in Worthing, and that's how he got his name. Quentin (who also has the middle name Eric) arrived at the Country Centre on the 4th of June and has settled in 'purrrfectly'! He has since received an abundance of cuddles, and when we spoke to some of the people we support about the joy he has brought them, this is what they had to share:
Quentin is very special indeed. He is a cheeky chappy who interacts with everyone and thoroughly enjoys the attention! We are incredibly grateful to the Friends for making this possible, and we look forward to many wonderful years with him (and a lint roller!) by our sides. Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]  The demand for social care support has been rising since 2015, with over 1 million adults currently relying on these services. As we look ahead to the future under a new government, we must consider what this means for social care.
In West Sussex, the political landscape now resembles a rainbow more than a blue mass, reflecting a diverse range of voices and perspectives. We are excited to engage with our local MPs and invite them to discuss the critical issues facing our bustling yet struggling sector. Social care has long been sidelined, treated with temporary fixes and plasters that no longer stick, rather than the comprehensive solutions it urgently needs. Our managing director, Sue Livett, says, "The election results are being hailed as a landslide and a commitment to public service improving people's lives. But social care must be a top priority in this agenda." In the run up to the election, our sector lobbied intensively for longer-term planning, workforce support, and flexible, adequate funding to meet growing demand. Labour's proposals for a national care service and the Liberal Democrats' push for better terms and conditions for social care workers offer promising starting points. However, meaningful progress requires cross-party collaboration and the co-production of those directly impacted by these policies. Will social care at last receive the recognition and support it so desperately needs? Or will it continue to be overlooked? For now, we look forward to working with this new government to create a social care system that truly works for everyone. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected] |
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