Skills For Care: ‘Hewitt Announcement Could “Not Have Come At A Better Time’

The announcement this week by the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt of consultative proposals for a new commissioning framework for health and social care has been warmly received by Skills for Care – the national workforce development body that is responsible for standards and qualifications in adult social care.

Skills for Care Chief Executive Officer Andrea Rowe, says that the move, which was announced at the Guardian’s conference in London “Managing New Realities, Integrated Delivery of Health and Social Care, and Housing”, could not have come at a better time.

She said that the framework would link “extremely well” with on-going work already being undertaken by Skills for Care and Sector Skills Council’s alliance partners into developing national occupational standards in Commissioning for adult, children’s and young people’s social care workforces in the UK.

“People can also be involved in the consultation process for the Commissioning National Occupational Standards. The latest information can be found on our website www.skillsforcare.org.uk“

She added: “Our aim is to ensure that the standards and qualifications reflect the work of those who are doing the job, and will fit into the structure of changing demands and needs. Patricia Hewitt’s announcement reinforces what we are all working towards in the sector – ever improving standards, a highly skilled and qualified workforce, and ultimately a better outcome for the many thousands of people who receive care across the country.”