The Government has announced a new independent commission to kickstart work on the long-term reform of social care and address the inherited challenges it faces.
The commission, headed by Baroness Louise Casey, will set out a vision for adult social care, with recommended measures and a roadmap for delivery. The aim will be to create a National Care Service underpinned by national standards, delivering consistency of care across the country.
It will also work with people drawing on care and support, families, staff, politicians and the public, private and third sector to make clear recommendations for how to rebuild the adult social care system to meet the current and future needs of the population.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The independent commission will work to build a national consensus around a new National Care Service able to meet the needs of older and disabled people into the 21st century.
“I have written to opposition parties to invite them to take part in the commission’ work, and asked Baroness Louise Casey to build a cross-party consensus, to ensure the national care service survives governments of different shades, just as our NHS has for the past 76 years. We are appointing one of our country’s leading public service reformers, and Whitehall’s greatest do-er, to finally grasp the nettle on social care reform.”
The first phase, which will be reported in mid-2026, will identify the critical issues facing adult social care and recommend medium-term reforms and improvements.
It will recommend tangible, pragmatic solutions that can be implemented in a phased way to lay the foundations for a National Care Service. The recommendations of this phase will be aligned with the government’s spending plans which will be set out at the Spending Review in the spring.
The second phase, which will be reported by 2028, will make longer-term recommendations for transforming adult social care. It will build on the commission’s first phase to examine the care model needed to address the ageing population, how services should be organised to deliver this, and how to best create a fair and affordable adult social care system for all.
Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock said: “Millions of older people, disabled people, their families and carers rely upon an effective adult social care system to live their lives to the full, with independence and dignity.
“An independent commission is an opportunity to start a national conversation, find the solutions and build consensus on a long-term plan to fix the system. I am pleased the Prime Minister has asked me to lead this vital work.”
Opposition parties have been invited to participate in the commission, which aims to build a cross-party and national consensus on the responsibilities of the state and individuals for social care, how to meet the rising demands caused by an ageing population, and how best to structure the National Care Service.
Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said: “Previous attempts to reform adult social care have failed due to a destructive combination of party political point-scoring and short-term thinking.
“Baroness Casey’s commission will build cross-party consensus and will lay the foundations for a National Care Service that’s rooted in fairness and equality. It will tackle both the immediate issues and the fundamental challenges that must be addressed if we are to get our adult social care system back on its feet and fit for the future.
“The Casey Commission is a once in a generation opportunity to transform adult social care, and to ensure that everyone is able to live with the dignity, independence and quality of life that they deserve.”
The commission, which is expected to begin in April 2025, will form a key part of the government’s Plan for Change which will turn around health and care services, starting with cutting waiting lists and coupled with reform so they are fit for the future.
Ali Gunn, Director of Communications at United Response, said: “It is welcome news that there is finally a focus on social care. Disabled people and their families have waited long enough. While long-term change with cross-party agreement is essential, it should not delay immediate action that could benefit people and our social care workforce now.
“Baroness Louise Casey’s experience is extensive, and we are keen to work with her to ensure this commission has those who draw on social care at its roots. It is an opportunity not simply to clear hospital beds but to strengthen our social care system for the better of all of us.
“A new year calls for a new outlook on social care, so it is seen as the irreplaceable asset that we know it to be. And one that we are proud of.”
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “With 4.7 million unpaid carers in England who are the backbone of care within this country, we very much welcome this announcement. Adult social care is desperately in need of reform and a sustainable future. Families are under intense pressure and providing more care than ever before, many going without breaks, putting their own health at risk and having no choice but to give up work to care.
“Good quality and affordable adult social care is critical to the lives of million of unpaid carers and their families providing care, helping them to juggle work and care, return to work, and protect their health and wellbeing. We look forward to engaging with Baroness Casey and the Independent Commission to ensure carers’ voices are heard loud and clear and to set out the cross-Government support that unpaid carers need.”
Kathryn Smith, Chief Executive at Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), said:
“With its aim of building cross-party consensus for a future National Care Service, the Casey Commission has the potential to end decades of gridlock and deliver a lasting settlement that will change the lives of people who draw on care and support for the better.
“We look forward to contributing to the Commission’s work, including sharing our ideas and good practice examples for improving access to care, adopting new care models and raising quality standards.”
Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at The King’s Fund said: “We welcome the announcement of a commission on adult social care and the appointment of Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock to lead it. This could offer a real opportunity to break the cycle of failure to reform social care.
“We believe the first phase of the commission should focus on funding and on measures the government could quickly get on with implementing, such as work to improve the use of data and technology in the social care sector, better integration with the NHS and making adult social care a more attractive career. Work on many of these issues is already underway but should be sped up.
“But we urge the government to accelerate the timing of the second phase of the commission which focuses on creating a fair and affordable social care system. The current timetable to report by 2028 is far too long to wait for people who need social care, and their families.”
