4 January, 2022 Open access
4 January, 2022 Open access
Councils can use the funding on measures including increasing use of direct payments and paying staff for Covid-19 sickness and self-isolation absences
The government has announced £60 million of new funding for local authorities in England to support the adult social care sector’s response to Covid-19 in January 2022.
The new Adult Social Care Omicron Support Fund provides targeted funding - in addition to the £388 million infection control and testing fund announced earlier in 2021 - in response to the rapid increase of Omicron cases.
The government advises that councils can use the funding on measures including increasing the use of direct payments to those needing care, covering sick pay costs for care staff affected by Covid-19 sickness and self-isolation absences, and investing in improved ventilation for care settings.
Announcing the funding, Minister for Care Gillian Keegan said -
‘Protecting care staff and people who use social care services continues to be a priority, especially as cases surge and Omicron spreads rapidly around the country.
Today’s extra funding will ensure that we continue to support adult social care to keep people safe and prevent outbreaks. A huge thank you goes out to care workers for all they are doing to care for people and keep themselves and others safe this winter.’
For more information, see An extra £60 million for adult social care over January 2022 from gov.uk
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