Dame Joan Bakewell details her vision for older people's care

Published by Vicky Hill for Anchor Trust in Communities

Anchor Trust welcomes Dame Joan Bakewell’s call for a revolution in care. In a newly published report she highlights the undervaluing of care workers and the need for older people to be given a greater say over the care they receive.

Ginny Storey, Anchor Trust’s Head of Care and Clinical Governance said that Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care, has been lobbying the Government to create recognised, professional career pathways in social care.
As the Governments Voice of Older People Dame Joan’s recommendations chime closely with some of the initiatives Anchor already has in place.

In care homes, residents gather to discuss anything from working practices to the home’s décor, offering suggestions, and giving the benefit of their life experience. Person-centred care which focuses on the individual and their life history means that people get the right care for them.

Supervised placements are offered to 16 and 17-year-old students so they might experience the value of supporting older people.

Making staff feel valued is incredibly important as their role in society is so significant. The Anchor Annul Awards encourages colleagues to nominate each other if they feel someone has excelled in the past twelve months.

In July 2009, following inspections from the care home industry’s regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), 85 per cent of Anchor’s care homes are now rated as Good or Excellent, the top two ratings. None of Anchor services have the lowest rating of Poor.

Anchor supports Dame Joan’s goal of creating a passionate and dedicated workforce making social care the career of choice. Her comments which align with Anchor vision of a sector that provides dignified and holistic care for older people.