SOMERSET County Council has taken part in a BBC documentary, highlighting the increased pressure on local councils to deliver social care as demand outstrips the funding available.
Broadcast last week (and part 2 this week) on BBC1, Panorama’s ‘Crisis in Care’ followed case studies going through the care system, showing the work of Somerset County Council’s adult social care workers, occupational therapists, social workers, care providers and the voluntary sector.
It also shared the stories of families and unpaid carers looking after loved ones, and the difficult decisions that come with the growing demand for care from an ageing population at a time of limited funding.
The film crew spent ten months filming the work of the county council,
Both the County Council Network (CCN) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have praised Somerset for helping tell the national story, highlighting the need for reform of social care and a long-term funding plan to secure its future.
Somerset County Council’s leader, cllr David Fothergill said, “We took part in this because we wanted to help raise the profile of a hugely important national issue – the pressure on adult social care caused by both an ageing population and the increasing numbers of working age adults requiring long term support and funding that hasn’t kept pace.
“The films bring social care to life and have broadcast it to a huge audience. It’s a national story, not a Somerset one, and we are proud to have been part of something that we hope will kick-start the national debate on this critical issue.
“The country urgently needs a plan for sustainable long-term funding of social care and a wider debate about the future of care and all our responsibilities in that. As these films make it clear that we, our colleagues both care providers and health, work extremely hard to do the very best for the people they support.
“Our only frustration is with what’s not on screen; our great innovative work, the successes, and the countless times care and health work together to everyone’s satisfaction every day.”
The BBC also reported last month that Somerset is one of 11 councils in danger of running out of cash reserves – based on the latest data available comparing reserves as of March 2018 with March 2015
Cash reserves are money held back for specific projects or emergencies, such as flooding. It is often seen as a measure of a council’s financial security.
According to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa), councils, including Somerset, could ‘fully exhaust’ cash reserves within the next four years unless action is taken.
However, in response, Somerset County Council has offered reassurance, saying, “Somerset County Council is not faced with the prospect of ‘running out of money in four years’ – timely action was taken to avoid any possibility of this outcome.
“We took tough decisions last September to ensure a balanced budget and in February the Council approved a budget and financial plan that paves the way for medium-term financial stability. At the same time we have increased our general fund and our overall reserves position has improved considerably during 2018/19.
“We will be reporting our general fund reserves shortly, and anticipate this figure will show a plan to increase this to be in excess of £19m – up from £5.8m last year.”
Panorama ‘Crisis in Care’ part 1 is available for catch-up on BBC iPlayer. Part two of the documentary will be shown this Wednesday, 5th June at 9pm on BBC1.
