BACKGROUND

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Delivery of social care is via a market of a diverse range of provider organisations, with different characteristics and motivations. As the market matures, there is an increasing presence of larger chains and investments through private equity (PE), where these organisations have different goals compared to voluntary sector, public sector and smaller private sector providers. Organisational motivations are likely to have different implications for outcomes valued by the social care sector. 

As well as provider motivation, commissioning policies, especially prices paid for care, will impact on outcomes. 

Overall, LAs, as commissioners and market shapers, have a key role in making choices about which providers to use and what prices to pay. These decisions may have consequences for the quality and sustainability of supply, including the quality of the workforce employed to deliver care.
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AIMS

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The primary objective is to assess how the organisation and financing of social care businesses affects workforce and care outcomes. The project aims to: 

• Assess the effect of ownership type (not-for-profit and PE) on workforce and care outcomes (pay, contract type, training and retention, staff mix, quality ratings, care related quality of life), including identifying potential spillover effects on the market.

• Assess how local authority care tariffs and prices affect workforce and care outcomes. 

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METHODS

 

This project will use quantitative methods to address these aims. The first six months of the project will explore data limitations and develop the analysis plan. 

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