We are pleased to share with you the results of the public consultation we launched early this year to receive feedback on two key care policies – childcare and long-term care.
Overall feedback highlighted the need for a policy change taking a holistic and comprehensive approach to care and support of people. While the share of public funding, care systems and the current care provision mix are specific to each country due to the nature of each system (coverage, insurance component, role of family and third sector, institution/home based; in-kind/cash, etc.), most face common challenges. Although there have been multiples reforms in recent years, care systems for children, for adults with long term conditions and for the elderly are still inadequate and inequitable. Policies fail for adult social care, support for vulnerable children and children needing statutory care. When it comes to data, time invested in childcare is underestimated in Time-use statistics as it tends to be mixed with home chores. The convenience of incentivizing time spent in informal care clashes with the public budget constraints. Parenthood occurs during prime working – and career-building – ages, during which people also build up skills, with implications for future wages, and pensions. Encouraging them to remain in the labor force is important.
Click here to access the report
