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Adult Social Care Reform

The Department of Health and Social Care is reforming adult social care policy, addressing issues including care home relocation decisions, ombudsman complaints, workforce capacity, and the transition of care responsibilities to local authorities. Current work focuses on improving redress mechanisms, data collection on care-experienced patients, and assessing the adequacy of the skilled social care workforce.

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Family: Scrutiny and evidence

2026

32 events
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of research by Dr George Julian showing that the Care Quality Commission has secured only one prosecution for a death involving a person with a learning disab

To ask His Majesty's Government, in light of research by Dr George Julian showing that the Care Quality Commission has secured only one prosecution for a death involving a person with a learning disability in over a decade, what assessment …

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if it will make an assessment of the potential merits of transferring control of social care to the Department for Housing, Communities and Lo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if it will make an assessment of the potential merits of transferring control of social care to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government to provide services at …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to frontline adult social care workers in England; and whether his Department, or

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what minimum English language proficiency requirements apply to frontline adult social care workers in England; and whether his Department, or any relevant regulator, has conducted audits or assess

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure people whose homes have inadequate access space can access emergency ambulance services to their property.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure people whose homes have inadequate access space can access emergency ambulance services to their property.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department collects on the number of older people required to move from care home placements following a transition to local aut

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department collects on the number of older people required to move from care home placements following a transition to local authority funding; and if he will …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what avenues of redress are available to residents and families wishing to challenge decisions to move care home residents; and what steps he

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what avenues of redress are available to residents and families wishing to challenge decisions to move care home residents; and what steps he is taking to improve awareness of …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman on care home relocation decisions; and

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman on care home relocation decisions; and what assessment he has made …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards provide clear, timely and accessible information to families affecte

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Integrated Care Boards provide clear, timely and accessible information to families affected by changes to assessment pathways.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the trends in the level of older people being required to move from established care home placements

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the trends in the level of older people being required to move from established care home placements to alternative homes solely on cost …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that local authorities comply with their statutory duties under section 1 of the Care Act 2014 t

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that local authorities comply with their statutory duties under section 1 of the Care Act 2014 to promote individual wellbeing when …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on balancing financial considerations against residents’ emotional, psychological a

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on balancing financial considerations against residents’ emotional, psychological and relational wellbeing when reviewing existing care ho

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his Department monitors whether local authorities are meeting their duty to respect a person’s preferred accommodation where it meets asse

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how his Department monitors whether local authorities are meeting their duty to respect a person’s preferred accommodation where it meets assessed needs, as set out in the statutory guidance …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has assessed the extent to which residents and families are presented with a genuine choice when a care home placement

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has assessed the extent to which residents and families are presented with a genuine choice when a care home placement becomes local-authority funded, as opposed to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of removing long-term residents from care homes once they become local-authori

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of removing long-term residents from care homes once they become local-authority funded on provider financial sustainability and the

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of involuntary care home moves on older people living with dementia; and what

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of involuntary care home moves on older people living with dementia; and what safeguards are in place to prevent …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he intends to take steps through the fair pay agreement process for the adult social care sector to reduce the take-home pay gap betwe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he intends to take steps through the fair pay agreement process for the adult social care sector to reduce the take-home pay gap between social care support workers …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Department is taking to create a system of democratic accountability and consultative governance system to advise elected repre

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Department is taking to create a system of democratic accountability and consultative governance system to advise elected representatives in their responsibilities to social care.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the provision of social care services by Local Authority Social Service Departmen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of the provision of social care services by Local Authority Social Service Departments.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of social care resources being transferred to local government departments to deliver soci

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of social care resources being transferred to local government departments to deliver social care services.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what level of skilled professional workforce the Department estimates is needed to meet the current demand of the social care sector and what

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what level of skilled professional workforce the Department estimates is needed to meet the current demand of the social care sector and what steps is it taking to meet …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what level of skilled professional workforce the Department estimates is needed to meet the current demand of the social care sector and what

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what level of skilled professional workforce the Department estimates is needed to meet the current demand of the social care sector and what steps is it taking to meet …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the level of skilled professional workforce required to meet the long-term demand of the social care sector; and

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the level of skilled professional workforce required to meet the long-term demand of the social care sector; and what steps he is taking …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the number of medically fit patients unable to be discharged from hospitals in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey H

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the number of medically fit patients unable to be discharged from hospitals in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a new community social work professional that combines essential

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of creating a new community social work professional that combines essential clinical skills with relationship- and strengths-based

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
27 Apr 2026 | Written question Department of Health and Social Care linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of social care support available to those diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of social care support available to those diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2025

14 events
23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

We support and echo the conclusions of the recent report Adult Social Care Reform by the Health and Social Care committee. As they have said in the summary of their report, successive Governments have not fully considered the human and financial costs of inaction on social care reform, including costs falling on local authorities and their residents. The cost of doing nothing is now unsustainable, and reform is urgently needed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 91)

We support and echo the conclusions of the recent report Adult Social Care Reform by the Health and Social Care committee. As they have said in the summary of their report, successive Governments have not fully considered the human and …

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23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

While we support the new independent commission into adult social care led by Baroness Casey, we are concerned that the proposed timescale means that urgent reforms to social care services will not be implemented soon enough to overcome the severity of the crisis in adult social care. If no action is taken by the time the commission concludes in 2028, it may be too late to stabilise the system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 93)

While we support the new independent commission into adult social care led by Baroness Casey, we are concerned that the proposed timescale means that urgent reforms to social care services will not be implemented soon enough to overcome the severity …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
23 Jul 2025 | Committee report linked

The timescale for the commission into adult social care should be brought forward, and it must present actionable reforms to the sector as part of its interim findings in 2026. The Government must not wait for the commission to publish its final report, and treat its interim findings with due urgency. The Government must ensure that adult social care is fully funded by the end of this Parliament. (Recommendation, Paragraph 93)

The timescale for the commission into adult social care should be brought forward, and it must present actionable reforms to the sector as part of its interim findings in 2026. The Government must not wait for the commission to publish …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

The current adult social care system does not sufficiently meet the needs of the population despite the efforts of millions of paid and unpaid carers. Financial pressures mean that those needing care sometimes only receive basic support, far from enough to enable them to live fulfilling lives. Despite this, costs continue to increase, with the Government, and taxpayers, currently paying £32 billion a year for a broken system. The Government does not have a robust understanding of the extent o...

The current adult social care system does not sufficiently meet the needs of the population despite the efforts of millions of paid and unpaid carers. Financial pressures mean that those needing care sometimes only receive basic support, far from enough …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government should publish an annual assessment of the level of unmet care needs for both older adults and working age disabled adults, publishing its methodology and supporting data to ensure transparency and allow for scrutiny. (Recommendation, Paragraph 21)

The Government should publish an annual assessment of the level of unmet care needs for both older adults and working age disabled adults, publishing its methodology and supporting data to ensure transparency and allow for scrutiny. (Recommendation, Paragraph 21) Type: …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

Local authorities are buckling under the strain of the costs of providing adult social care. The current system is unsustainable. Failure to reform adult social care, especially the funding structure, comes at a significant cost to local authorities. The increasingly high proportion of spending on adult social care is crowding out spending on other services, such as fixing potholes, keeping libraries open and providing youth services, forcing many to provide only the bare minimum to residents...

Local authorities are buckling under the strain of the costs of providing adult social care. The current system is unsustainable. Failure to reform adult social care, especially the funding structure, comes at a significant cost to local authorities. The increasingly …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

We recommend that securing agreement on the funding structure must be the top priority for the Casey Commission and for any future Government reforms. Without this agreement, reform can only ever be piecemeal and short-term in outlook and, ultimately, will fail. We also recommend that any future funding structure includes a ring-fence for preventative work. (Recommendation, Paragraph 61) 54

We recommend that securing agreement on the funding structure must be the top priority for the Casey Commission and for any future Government reforms. Without this agreement, reform can only ever be piecemeal and short-term in outlook and, ultimately, will …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

We recommend that any future policy changes or fiscal decisions relating to the workforce should be accompanied by a cross-government impact assessment that sets out the immediate and ongoing consequences for the social care sector. As part of this, the Government should set out what mitigating actions they would take to minimise any adverse effects on the social care sector, and how that compares to actions being taken to support the NHS. (Recommendation, Paragraph 74)

We recommend that any future policy changes or fiscal decisions relating to the workforce should be accompanied by a cross-government impact assessment that sets out the immediate and ongoing consequences for the social care sector. As part of this, the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

We further welcome plans to establish the Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement and improve career pathways. However, the Government needs to set out how these measures will be funded, as providers and local government cannot afford to fund them. (Conclusion, Paragraph 86)

We further welcome plans to establish the Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement and improve career pathways. However, the Government needs to set out how these measures will be funded, as providers and local government cannot afford to fund them. …

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5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government will not succeed in creating an NHS fit for the future unless it effectively reforms the social care system. Social care reform is an integral part of NHS reform and cannot be a separate process. (Conclusion, Paragraph 117)

The Government will not succeed in creating an NHS fit for the future unless it effectively reforms the social care system. Social care reform is an integral part of NHS reform and cannot be a separate process. (Conclusion, Paragraph 117) …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

In her first report, Baroness Casey should set out the immediate steps that the Government needs to take to ensure the adult social care sector can play its vital part in the three shifts for NHS reform. Achieving these should be the measure against which the success of the 10-Year Health Plan is assessed. Her report should also set out how her reforms support the delivery of the 10-Year Health Plan and what, if any, further changes might be needed to the Plan or the NHS to support the adult ...

In her first report, Baroness Casey should set out the immediate steps that the Government needs to take to ensure the adult social care sector can play its vital part in the three shifts for NHS reform. Achieving these should …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

The Government needs to fundamentally change how it views the social care sector, seeing it as an enabler and talking about it in those terms in the public debate - both for the invaluable service it provides to so many people and also as a driver of economic growth. We welcome recent positive words about the potential of the sector and hope that this marks the starting of a broader shift in the narrative. (Conclusion, Paragraph 130)

The Government needs to fundamentally change how it views the social care sector, seeing it as an enabler and talking about it in those terms in the public debate - both for the invaluable service it provides to so many …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
5 May 2025 | Committee report linked

We recommend that the Government commissions research with the aim of fully quantifying the cost of doing nothing on adult social care reform. That research should seek to quantify costs to individuals, including unpaid carers and care workers, to local authorities, to care providers, to the NHS and to the economy. Cost is not just about money, it is also about non-monetary personal costs, including individual wellbeing across these specified groups. This research should be completed ahead of...

We recommend that the Government commissions research with the aim of fully quantifying the cost of doing nothing on adult social care reform. That research should seek to quantify costs to individuals, including unpaid carers and care workers, to local …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2024

12 events
20 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

The Department faces significant challenges in delivering its ‘vision’ for adult social care reform, and Parliament and the sector must be able to hold it to account for its progress. It is worrying that the Department has no roadmap for achieving its 10-year vision for adult social care, or any targets or milestones beyond 2025. Though we agree that some flexibility to adapt as the Department learns has merit, there is currently nothing meaningful in place to demonstrate progress towards tar...

The Department faces significant challenges in delivering its ‘vision’ for adult social care reform, and Parliament and the sector must be able to hold it to account for its progress. It is worrying that the Department has no roadmap for …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) and from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) about progress in reforming adult social care in England.1

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) and from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) about progress in reforming …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Mar 2024 | Committee report Context · primary home: NHS policy linked

When we pointed out that it was not always the case that social care got the right weighting in ICS structures because they are health-led, the Department acknowledged that the system was not working everywhere.10 The National Care Forum called for the appointment of adult social care leads on all Integrated Care Boards (statutory bodies that are responsible for planning and funding most NHS services in an area) to correct the tendency for everything to be viewed solely through a healthcare l...

When we pointed out that it was not always the case that social care got the right weighting in ICS structures because they are health-led, the Department acknowledged that the system was not working everywhere.10 The National Care Forum called …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

Other evidence we received put forward alternative ways of taking pressure off the NHS and other parts of the public sector, that might offer better value for money. For example, the National Care Forum suggested that measures to enable a shift towards prevention and early intervention, rather than a narrower focus on hospital discharge of older adults to deal with NHS backlogs, could unlock benefits for people of all ages and a range of conditions and life situations.27 The Challenging Behav...

Other evidence we received put forward alternative ways of taking pressure off the NHS and other parts of the public sector, that might offer better value for money. For example, the National Care Forum suggested that measures to enable a …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

We have reported before on the prevalence of short-term, one-off funding for local authorities and recommended that government explore ways to provide greater confidence over long-term funding.31 With regard to adult social care, this lack of financial certainty has constrained local authorities’ and providers’ ability to plan for the longer term, and caused investment in areas such as staff training, new accommodation and technological innovation to suffer.32 Local authorities have continued...

We have reported before on the prevalence of short-term, one-off funding for local authorities and recommended that government explore ways to provide greater confidence over long-term funding.31 With regard to adult social care, this lack of financial certainty has constrained …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

We challenged the Department on whether we were ever going to see a multi-year funding settlement for local government and if the extra money for adult social care in 2023–24 and 2024–25 would continue into future years. Both the Department and DLUHC acknowledged the benefits of multi-year funding but also the potential downsides if circumstances are volatile, such as high inflation. The Department told us that this would be a matter for the next spending review, of which the timing was not y...

We challenged the Department on whether we were ever going to see a multi-year funding settlement for local government and if the extra money for adult social care in 2023–24 and 2024–25 would continue into future years. Both the Department …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
20 Mar 2024 | Committee report linked

The NAO reported that the 2021 white paper set a 10-year ‘vision’ for transforming adult social care, but that the Department had no long-term funded plan for achieving it and no milestones beyond the end of the current Spending Review period, March

The NAO reported that the 2021 white paper set a 10-year ‘vision’ for transforming adult social care, but that the Department had no long-term funded plan for achieving it and no milestones beyond the end of the current Spending Review …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

While the additional funding announced in Autumn Statement 2022 has provided some brief respite for local authorities facing particularly acute pressures, a consistent and sustainable increase in funding is required. We have heard evidence of ongoing concerns about the continuing cost and demand pressures affecting adult social care. The absence of any additional funding announced in the Autumn Statement 2023, and the prospect of future real terms funding cuts, has exacerbated those concerns.

While the additional funding announced in Autumn Statement 2022 has provided some brief respite for local authorities facing particularly acute pressures, a consistent and sustainable increase in funding is required. We have heard evidence of ongoing concerns about the continuing …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

We also reiterate the recommendation we made in our July 2022 report for the Government to publish a 10-year plan for implementing the reforms set out in its white paper People at the Heart of Care. (Paragraph 95) Chapter 4: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

We also reiterate the recommendation we made in our July 2022 report for the Government to publish a 10-year plan for implementing the reforms set out in its white paper People at the Heart of Care. (Paragraph 95) Chapter 4: …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
1 Feb 2024 | Committee report linked

The next Government must ensure that it explores all options for fundamental reform of funding and delivery of social care services and implements reforms that address the underlying causes of the acute funding and delivery pressures that local authorities are currently facing. The Government should also explore how the structure of local authorities, including for example moving to unitary authorities, may alleviate financial pressures currently facing local authorities. (Paragraph 149) Fina...

The next Government must ensure that it explores all options for fundamental reform of funding and delivery of social care services and implements reforms that address the underlying causes of the acute funding and delivery pressures that local authorities are …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2023

1 event

2022

20 events
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The covid-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on adult social care. People have received less care and often care workers have been compelled to deliver only the basics. More people are going without care and many people’s needs are increasing significantly. Social care workers and unpaid carers are burnt out. Covid-19 has exacerbated the need for more immediate funding for the sector.

The covid-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on adult social care. People have received less care and often care workers have been compelled to deliver only the basics. More people are going without care and many people’s needs are …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government provided vital additional funding to the adult social care sector during the pandemic, and we appreciate that the additional covid-19 funding cannot continue indefinitely. However, the Government’s own guidance that care workers should self-isolate if they test positive for covid-19 indicates that the risk to the sector is not over. We do not accept that controlling covid-19 infections is analogous to other types of infection control, since Ministers were unable to name any oth...

The Government provided vital additional funding to the adult social care sector during the pandemic, and we appreciate that the additional covid-19 funding cannot continue indefinitely. However, the Government’s own guidance that care workers should self-isolate if they test positive …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government is focused on long-term reform of adult social care, but in order to get to the future it needs to save the sector from the brink of collapse. Covid-19 has highlighted the underlying structural challenges of rising demand, unmet need, and difficulties recruiting and retaining staff, and has also exacerbated them. On top of that, there are severe current pressures arising from increases in the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage, and from rising inflation. We stro...

The Government is focused on long-term reform of adult social care, but in order to get to the future it needs to save the sector from the brink of collapse. Covid-19 has highlighted the underlying structural challenges of rising demand, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP said as Prime Minister that he would fix the crisis in social care once and for all. We commend the Government for attempting to prevent unpredictable and catastrophic care costs for people and introducing reforms to the sector where previous Governments failed to act. But it should be under no illusions that it has come close to rescuing social care, and needs to be open with the public that there is a long way to go. Ultimately, all our lines of inquiry returned ...

The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP said as Prime Minister that he would fix the crisis in social care once and for all. We commend the Government for attempting to prevent unpredictable and catastrophic care costs for people and introducing …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The covid-19 pandemic had the effect of raising public awareness of adult social care. It also achieved general support for a tax increase specifically to plug the long- standing funding gap. However, the Government has missed this opportunity. It has done so firstly by allocating the vast majority of the proceeds of its Health and Social Care Levy to the NHS, and secondly by in theory ringfencing what little funding it has allocated to adult social care for reforms rather than for cost press...

The covid-19 pandemic had the effect of raising public awareness of adult social care. It also achieved general support for a tax increase specifically to plug the long- standing funding gap. However, the Government has missed this opportunity. It has …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

We do not wish to pit the NHS and adult social care against one another. The two systems are interdependent and each needs to be adequately funded to reduce pressure on the other. Wherever the money comes from—from allocating a higher proportion of levy proceeds to social care, or from central government grants—the Government urgently needs to allocate more funding to adult social care in the order of several billions each year, at least £7 billion.

We do not wish to pit the NHS and adult social care against one another. The two systems are interdependent and each needs to be adequately funded to reduce pressure on the other. Wherever the money comes from—from allocating a …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

As well as the desperate human impact on those needing, receiving, and providing care, the underfunding of adult social care has led to many councils having to cut other public services in order to do their best to meet their care duties. The Government should address three core issues to improve the sustainability of Long-term funding of adult social care 75 adult social care funding: the balance of funding sources, long-term planning and forecasting, and geographical distribution.

As well as the desperate human impact on those needing, receiving, and providing care, the underfunding of adult social care has led to many councils having to cut other public services in order to do their best to meet their …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

We recognise the benefits of raising a proportion of funding for adult social care locally. As we have argued in previous reports, we support greater fiscal devolution. In finding the right balance of funding sources for adult social care, however, we are concerned by the increasing reliance on locally raised tax revenue as currently constituted. In our previous report on local authority financial sustainability and the section 114 regime, we recommended a variety of ways in which the mix of ...

We recognise the benefits of raising a proportion of funding for adult social care locally. As we have argued in previous reports, we support greater fiscal devolution. In finding the right balance of funding sources for adult social care, however, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The geographical inequity of relying on council tax to provide the majority of funding for adult social care is compounded by an out-of-date adult social care relative needs formula. The Government must update the adult social care relative needs formula by the next financial year. This should be implemented alongside the Fair Funding Review and council tax equalisation. Geographical fairness should also be taken into account in future allocations of Health and Social Care Levy funding.

The geographical inequity of relying on council tax to provide the majority of funding for adult social care is compounded by an out-of-date adult social care relative needs formula. The Government must update the adult social care relative needs formula …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

Stakeholders have called for adult social care reform for years, and we commend the Government for introducing many welcome initiatives such as around housing and data that could make a significant difference in the long-term. We are also pleased that many stakeholders welcome the Government’s vision for what good care looks like and how care is experienced by those receiving care and their families. However, the Government currently has nothing more than a vision. We are alarmed that so much...

Stakeholders have called for adult social care reform for years, and we commend the Government for introducing many welcome initiatives such as around housing and data that could make a significant difference in the long-term. We are also pleased that …

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4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

Given how fundamentally social care policies made by DHSC affect local authorities’ capacity, budgets, and residents, it is vital that DHSC and DLUHC work together closely on developing and delivering such policies. We were struck by the discrete division of answers to questions by Ministers, who rarely supplemented one another’s answers, and the separate follow-up letters that we received. The Government’s 10- year plan should be developed jointly between DHSC and DLUHC, with relevant input ...

Given how fundamentally social care policies made by DHSC affect local authorities’ capacity, budgets, and residents, it is vital that DHSC and DLUHC work together closely on developing and delivering such policies. We were struck by the discrete division of …

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4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government should create a separate taskforce for housing for working age disabled adults alongside the taskforce for housing for older people. Both taskforces should be accountable to both DLUHC and DHSC and should report to the Senior Responsible Officer for the People at the Heart of Care programme. Their terms of reference should be developed with input from the Local Government Association and housing stakeholders and should set out the taskforces’ interconnection with housing propos...

The Government should create a separate taskforce for housing for working age disabled adults alongside the taskforce for housing for older people. Both taskforces should be accountable to both DLUHC and DHSC and should report to the Senior Responsible Officer …

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4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government should consult on whether one or more Use Classes or sub-classes should be introduced in order to unlock more development of different types of accommodation that is suitable for older and disabled people, and meets the demand within communities. (Paragraph 101) Workforce

The Government should consult on whether one or more Use Classes or sub-classes should be introduced in order to unlock more development of different types of accommodation that is suitable for older and disabled people, and meets the demand within …

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4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

We heard repeatedly that an absolutely critical lever for stabilising the adult social care market was tackling staff shortages and low retention. This would widen access to care and help to give unpaid carers a much-needed break. There is also the very real risk that the Government’s charging reforms do not immediately improve matters, for instance by drawing more people into the care system without having enough workers to deliver the care for which these people will now be eligible. We wer...

We heard repeatedly that an absolutely critical lever for stabilising the adult social care market was tackling staff shortages and low retention. This would widen access to care and help to give unpaid carers a much-needed break. There is also …

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4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

Our broken care system is held up by unpaid carers doing vital work out of love and pride. The cost to them can be financial, physical, and emotional. The cost to our economy of carers leaving the workforce is over £3 billion each year—money that could be invested in adult social care. We recognise that some of the proposals in the White Paper will benefit carers, such as around technology and innovation. However, we think that £25 million over three years is a totally inadequate amount to al...

Our broken care system is held up by unpaid carers doing vital work out of love and pride. The cost to them can be financial, physical, and emotional. The cost to our economy of carers leaving the workforce is over …

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4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

The Government claims “the money is there” to support carers’ breaks, but the evidence we received is that not enough carers are getting a break. There are many carers who have not had a break since the start of the pandemic. Providing intimate care, under pressure, for such a prolonged period, is bound to have an impact on a person’s mental and physical health. It is imperative that the Government announce additional ringfenced funding to enable more carers to take a break this year. (Paragr...

The Government claims “the money is there” to support carers’ breaks, but the evidence we received is that not enough carers are getting a break. There are many carers who have not had a break since the start of the …

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4 Aug 2022 | Committee report linked

We are not reassured by the Director General for Adult Social Care’s comments that some places have found ways to continue discharge to assess funding from their own funding streams, not least by her admission that these workarounds are only short-term and only “for the bits of it they think are vital”. The discharge to assess funding was an excellent example of effective health and care integration. Given the fragile state of adult social care and the magnitude of the NHS elective backlog, d...

We are not reassured by the Director General for Adult Social Care’s comments that some places have found ways to continue discharge to assess funding from their own funding streams, not least by her admission that these workarounds are only …

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2 Feb 2022 | Committee report linked

We are concerned the Department is worryingly complacent in its view that the spending review will put local services on a sustainable footing. The spending review provided an extra £4.8 billion, £1.6 billion per year for the period 2022– 23 to 2024–25, along with assumed council tax rises (although lower rises than in recent years). These plus assumed growth in business rates will need to provide the “business as usual” funding for adult social care. The Department’s view is that this fundin...

We are concerned the Department is worryingly complacent in its view that the spending review will put local services on a sustainable footing. The spending review provided an extra £4.8 billion, £1.6 billion per year for the period 2022– 23 …

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2 Feb 2022 | Committee report linked

When we pressed witnesses about the fragile state of adult social care services and continuing demographic pressure, the Department agreed the demographic pressures from both working-age and older people are quite significant but listed three sources of funding to sustain “business-as-usual social care”. These were rises in council tax (including the adult social care precept), growth in business rates, and a portion of the £1.6 billion of 68 Qq 8 and 38; C&AG’s Report, page 4 69 Qq 66, 88; C...

When we pressed witnesses about the fragile state of adult social care services and continuing demographic pressure, the Department agreed the demographic pressures from both working-age and older people are quite significant but listed three sources of funding to sustain …

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6 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked

In light of the Government’s commitment to reform social care, we again recommend that it publishes a ten-year plan for social care, setting out how it in detail how it will tackle the structural and financial problems the sector faces in the short-term, and operationalise its longer-term ambitions. The Government must also acknowledge the needs and wellbeing of staff working in the social care sector by publishing a People Plan for social care, aligned to the ambitions set out in the NHS Peo...

In light of the Government’s commitment to reform social care, we again recommend that it publishes a ten-year plan for social care, setting out how it in detail how it will tackle the structural and financial problems the sector faces …

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2021

14 events
12 Oct 2021 | Committee report linked

The covid-19 pandemic has put massive strain on a social care sector already under huge pressure, which has a particular focus on caring for elderly people who have been at the greatest risk of death from covid.

The covid-19 pandemic has put massive strain on a social care sector already under huge pressure, which has a particular focus on caring for elderly people who have been at the greatest risk of death from covid. Type: conclusion | …

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12 Oct 2021 | Committee report linked

The covid-19 pandemic has put massive strain on a social care sector already under huge pressure, which has a particular focus on caring for elderly people who have been at the greatest risk of death from covid.

The covid-19 pandemic has put massive strain on a social care sector already under huge pressure, which has a particular focus on caring for elderly people who have been at the greatest risk of death from covid. Type: conclusion | …

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12 Oct 2021 | Committee report linked

Long term reform of social care is overdue and should be pursued as a matter of urgency. The Government’s recent announcement on the future of social care is welcome, but the long-term future of the sector remains unresolved. We endorse the Health and Social Care Committee’s call for a 10 Year Plan for Social Care to accompany the 10 Year Plan for the NHS. It must ensure that there is parity between the health and care sectors so that social care is given proper priority in a future crisis.

Long term reform of social care is overdue and should be pursued as a matter of urgency. The Government’s recent announcement on the future of social care is welcome, but the long-term future of the sector remains unresolved. We endorse …

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8 Jun 2021 | Committee report linked

The absence of a People Plan for social care serves only to widen the disparity in recognition and support for the social care components of health and social care. The Government should rectify this as a matter of urgency in their upcoming work to reform the social care sector; and it is essential that it is included in the social care reforms promised this year. The adult social care workforce has stepped up to the plate during the pandemic. They deserve the same care and attention that the...

The absence of a People Plan for social care serves only to widen the disparity in recognition and support for the social care components of health and social care. The Government should rectify this as a matter of urgency in …

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8 Jun 2021 | Committee report linked

We have made recommendations to the Department on the reform and funding of social care in previous Reports. We believe that they are worth restating. Those recommendations are as follow:

We have made recommendations to the Department on the reform and funding of social care in previous Reports. We believe that they are worth restating. Those recommendations are as follow: Type: conclusion | Number: 26 | Paragraph: 165 | Response …

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8 Jun 2021 | Committee report linked

(a) Alongside […] a long term funding settlement we strongly believe the Government should publish a 10 year plan for the social care sector as it has done for the NHS. The two systems are increasingly linked and it makes no sense to put in place long term plans for one without the other. Failure to do so is also likely to inhibit reform and lead to higher costs as workforce shortages become more pronounced with higher dependency on agency staff. Reducing the 30% turnover rates typical in the...

(a) Alongside […] a long term funding settlement we strongly believe the Government should publish a 10 year plan for the social care sector as it has done for the NHS. The two systems are increasingly linked and it makes …

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10 Feb 2021 | Committee report linked

We have previously noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the tragic impact of delaying much needed social care reform and integration with health, and instead treating the sector as the NHS’s poor relation.35 Between March 2020 and July 2020, the Department provided NHS trusts with 1.9 billion items of PPE, equivalent to 80% of their estimated need. Over the same period, it provided 331 million items to the adult social care sector, equivalent to 10% of its estimated need. Of the total P...

We have previously noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the tragic impact of delaying much needed social care reform and integration with health, and instead treating the sector as the NHS’s poor relation.35 Between March 2020 and July 2020, …

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2020

13 events
22 Dec 2020 | Committee report linked

The Government must bring forward a social care reform package, which includes the whole sector, in this financial year. There has been a tendency by successive governments to focus on the problem of rising costs of caring for elderly people, particularly in care homes, and the unfairness of being forced to sell family homes to pay for care in later life. While these are key problems for which solutions must be found, the Government’s reform package must be more wide-ranging, and include acti...

The Government must bring forward a social care reform package, which includes the whole sector, in this financial year. There has been a tendency by successive governments to focus on the problem of rising costs of caring for elderly people, …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The case for making a sustained investment in social care has never been stronger– the toll the pandemic has taken on this sector means that social care is no longer a hidden problem, but one that the country as a whole understands. We urge the Government to now address this crisis as a matter of urgency. (Paragraph 10) Current funding problems in social care

The case for making a sustained investment in social care has never been stronger– the toll the pandemic has taken on this sector means that social care is no longer a hidden problem, but one that the country as a …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

It is clear from the evidence we have heard that funding shortfalls are having a serious negative impact on the lives of those who use the social care system, as well impacting the pay levels of the workforce and threatening the sustainability of the care market. An immediate funding increase is needed to avoid the risk of market collapse caused by providers withdrawing from offering services to council-funded clients and focusing exclusively on the self-pay market.

It is clear from the evidence we have heard that funding shortfalls are having a serious negative impact on the lives of those who use the social care system, as well impacting the pay levels of the workforce and threatening …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The crisis in social care funding has been brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this must now be addressed by Government as a matter of the utmost urgency. The funding increase we are calling for is significant at a time when public finances are likely to be stretched, but the pandemic has made it clear that doing nothing is no longer an option. Providing adequate funding for social care will also help the NHS, and may itself have positive economic and long-term social impac...

The crisis in social care funding has been brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic, and this must now be addressed by Government as a matter of the utmost urgency. The funding increase we are calling for is significant …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

Alongside such a long term funding settlement we strongly believe the government should publish a 10 year plan for the social care sector as it has done for the NHS. The two systems are increasingly linked and it makes no sense to put in place long term plans for one without the other. Failure to do so is also likely to inhibit reform and lead to higher costs as workforce shortages become more pronounced with higher dependency on agency staff. Reducing the 30% turnover rates typical in the se...

Alongside such a long term funding settlement we strongly believe the government should publish a 10 year plan for the social care sector as it has done for the NHS. The two systems are increasingly linked and it makes no …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The current system is unfair, confusing, demeaning, and frightening for the most vulnerable people in our society, and their families. It is therefore essential that the Government tackle the problems in the care sector as a priority. The success of the reforms in Japan has demonstrated that it is possible for a Government to grasp the nettle and take decisions on social care which, though they may be initially difficult, lead to positive and lasting change which is widely accepted by society.

The current system is unfair, confusing, demeaning, and frightening for the most vulnerable people in our society, and their families. It is therefore essential that the Government tackle the problems in the care sector as a priority. The success of …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences both for vulnerable people using social care, and for the committed professional workforce that provide that care. These challenges have been exacerbated by long-standing funding and workforce issues which need to be recognised by the government in a social care reform package that must be brought forward before the end of this financial year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences both for vulnerable people using social care, and for the committed professional workforce that provide that care. These challenges have been exacerbated by long-standing funding and workforce issues which need to be recognised …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

We believe that the starting point for the social care funding increase must be an additional £7bn per year by 2023–24 to cover demographic changes, uplift staff pay in line with the National Minimum Wage and to protect people who face catastrophic social care costs. This represents a 34% increase from the 2023–24 £20.4bn adult social care baseline projected budget at today’s prices. In this report we have not examined how such an increase could be funded but we recognise the challenges invol...

We believe that the starting point for the social care funding increase must be an additional £7bn per year by 2023–24 to cover demographic changes, uplift staff pay in line with the National Minimum Wage and to protect people who …

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22 Oct 2020 | Committee report linked

But we are clear that this is only a starting point. It will not provide any improvement in access to care, which is urgently needed and would be improved through introducing free personal care as recommended by previous select committee reports from both the Lords and the Commons, which we continue to endorse as worthy of consideration. The full cost of adequately funding social care is therefore likely to be substantially higher than £7bn, potentially running to tens of billions of pounds. ...

But we are clear that this is only a starting point. It will not provide any improvement in access to care, which is urgently needed and would be improved through introducing free personal care as recommended by previous select committee …

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25 Sep 2020 | Committee report linked

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated pre-existing systemic problems in the social care system, including urgent need for: a more sustainable funding solution; resolution of workforce issues, including low pay, poor progression and high staff turnover; and much closer integration with health services. The pandemic has demonstrated the need to place a much greater value on social care 24 Unequal impact? Coronavirus, disability and access to services: interim Report on tempor...

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated pre-existing systemic problems in the social care system, including urgent need for: a more sustainable funding solution; resolution of workforce issues, including low pay, poor progression and high staff turnover; and much closer …

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29 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

This pandemic has shown the tragic impact of delaying much needed social care reform, and instead treating the sector as the NHS’s poor relation. This Committee has highlighted the need for change in the social care sector for many years, particularly around the interface between health and social care. Despite the intentions of successive Governments, there have been ongoing delays to reforming and integrating the two sectors. The stark contrast between the approach taken towards protecting ...

This pandemic has shown the tragic impact of delaying much needed social care reform, and instead treating the sector as the NHS’s poor relation. This Committee has highlighted the need for change in the social care sector for many years, …

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29 Jul 2020 | Committee report linked

This Committee has warned before that the Department lacked an effective overall strategy or plan to integrate health and care and that poor outcomes could arise as a result.29 As Care England told us, for too long “adult social care has been kicked into the long grass by governments of all stripes.”30 Despite numerous white papers, green papers, consultations, and independent reviews over the past 20 years, meaningful integration of health and social care was yet to occur going into the pand...

This Committee has warned before that the Department lacked an effective overall strategy or plan to integrate health and care and that poor outcomes could arise as a result.29 As Care England told us, for too long “adult social care …

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2018

2 events