Care Campaign for the Vulnerable (CCFTV), was honoured to receive recognition from 10 Downing Street for the vital work we do to promote safety, dignity, and respect within the care sector. The Government’s letter, written on behalf of the Prime Minister, acknowledged the importance of civil society organisations like CCFTV and outlined plans to strengthen partnerships between the Government and civil society through a new Civil Society Covenant.
While it is heartening to receive praise for our efforts, we must now see that these words translate into tangible actions. For too long, the care sector has been overlooked, despite being the backbone of support for some of our most vulnerable individuals.
The challenges faced by the elderly, their carers, and care providers are not new, but they remain urgent. Chronic underfunding, staff shortages, and inadequate training have plagued the sector for decades. Frontline carers work tirelessly to deliver compassionate care, often under immense pressure and without the recognition or resources they deserve. Meanwhile, care providers struggle to maintain high standards in the face of escalating costs and insufficient financial support.
The creation of the Civil Society Covenant is a positive step. However, it must include targeted measures to address the unique challenges facing the care sector. This includes ensuring proper funding through a long-term strategy for social care that allows providers to invest in staff, training, and infrastructure. It also requires prioritising carers’ wellbeing by improving wages, working conditions, and support to ensure they feel valued and are able to provide the highest standard of care. Furthermore, safeguarding residents is essential by implementing policies that guarantee safety, dignity, and respect for those living in care homes, backed by robust oversight.
At CCFTV, we remain committed to driving change. Our mission is to ensure safety in care through the adoption of safety monitoring, improved carer training, and greater transparency. These solutions have the potential to transform care homes into safer, more secure environments for residents and staff alike.
However, achieving these goals requires a collective effort. The Government must engage directly with organisations like ours, as well as care providers and families, to develop strategies that truly address the sector’s challenges. A partnership approach—built on listening, learning, and meaningful collaboration—can lead to lasting change.
Our elderly population deserves better. The carers who dedicate their lives to looking after others deserve better. Care providers working tirelessly to maintain high standards despite limited resources deserve better. It is time for the care sector to be seen not as an afterthought, but as a vital part of our society’s infrastructure.
CCFTV will continue to advocate for the improvements that matter, but we call on the Government to match their words with decisive action.
