Most people don’t think about adult social care—until they need it.
Councillor Jock Rafferty of Cowes Town Council says that when that moment comes, people are often met with a system that feels inconsistent and unfair.
At the recent Isle of Wight council budget meeting, Labour Councillor and MP for Isle of Wight West, Richard Quigley, raised concerns about how funding is distributed.
He said,
“The uplift to the personal budget for care service users is very, very welcome, but it would be nice if it was applied universally and not just for those who are using the Primary Providers.
“So, could we look at that?”
A two-tier system
Councillor Rafferty explains that the Isle of Wight council funds home care in two ways.
One option is through a council-managed budget, where the council decides which of its contracted care providers deliver services to individuals.
The other is through Direct Payments, where people manage their own budgets and choose their own care provider.
Each year, the council increases care funding to cover rising costs, including the 6.7% increase in the National Living Wage.
But Councillor Rafferty highlights a crucial gap: only those using the council’s contracted providers receive this uplift automatically. Those managing their own care budgets must fight for the same increase. He says,
“This leaves many at a disadvantage.”
Why this matters
The demand for social care is growing, and funding decisions impact thousands of Islanders.
Councillor Rafferty provides key figures:
- 2,875 Islanders received long-term social care in 2022/23.
- 5,300 people work in adult social care—8.3% of the Island’s workforce.
- 12% of care workers are employed by people managing their own care budgets.
- By 2035, over 7,000 Islanders could be working in care.
With an ageing population and increasing need for care, he stresses that a fair and sustainable funding system is essential.
Have your say – take the survey
The council suggests this issue only affects a small number of people.
However, Councillor Rafferty disagrees and argues that those within the care sector know this is not the case. He says,
“If you are a home care provider or work in the sector, your voice is crucial.”
By completing this short survey, people can help build a clearer picture of the impact and push for fair funding for all.
Every response, he says, will help highlight the need for a fairer system, ensuring that all care users—regardless of how they manage their budget—receive the support they need.
