On 2 May 2025, the UK Government formally began its independent commission into adult social care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, with the publication of its terms of reference.
The commission aims to reform adult social care through a two-phase approach.
Phase 1 (medium term), reporting in 2026, will outline a plan to implement a National Care Service. It will initiate a national conversation to build public consensus on the objectives of adult social care, considering the distinct needs of older adults and working-age disabled individuals. The commission aims to produce pragmatic recommendations for phased implementation over a decade, focusing on enhancing productivity, prevention, and empowering care recipients and their families.
Phase 2 (long term), reporting back by 2028, will offer long-term strategies for transforming adult social care. This should build on the commission’s medium-term recommendations to look at the model of care needed to address demographic change, how services must be organised to deliver this, and discuss alternative models that could be considered in the future to deliver a fair and affordable adult care system.
Leading social care organisations, The King’s Fund, the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), and the Local Government Association (LGA), have commented why this commission is so important for the future adult social care.
Kathryn Smith OBE, Chief Executive of the SCIE, said: “For too long, we’ve been stuck in social care’s version of Groundhog Day with report after report, commission after commission, but little in the way of lasting change. The Casey Commission is our moment to break the cycle. This is not just about fixing a broken system; it’s about reimagining how we care for each other as a society.
“Public understanding and support have been a missing link in previous attempts to reform the care sector.
The Commission gives us a once-in-a-generation chance to build consensus across the public, politicians and the social care sector to secure a system that helps people live the lives they want – in homes they love, connected to their communities, with control and dignity.
“The significance of the Commission can’t be understated. With issues including unmet care needs, workforce shortages, and financial strain on local authorities and providers, the social care sector is in desperate need of a robust plan for change.
“We are ready to work with Baroness Casey and partners across the sector – crucially people who draw on care and support and their family carers – to create sustainable solutions. Let this be the Commission that ends the political gridlock, builds consensus, and delivers the fair, resilient, and equitable social care system that people not only need, but deserve.”
Simon Bottery, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, also acknowledged that, for decades, governments have failed to reform the current social care system to one that is fair and affordable for people.
Simon continued: “The Casey Commission offers a real opportunity to truly reform fundamental issues, such as the very tight means test, which is the critical factor when it comes to ensuring people in need can access care. The Commission is a blank enough sheet of paper for Louise Casey to thoroughly identify the challenges facing social care and to recommend the long-lasting, comprehensive solutions that are needed.
As too many people are left waiting too long for care, we urge the Commission not to wait until its ultimate 2028 deadline before making its recommendations. The challenge may be whether the government is willing to act more urgently – or indeed at all – to implement these reforms.
“It will be essential that the government commits to providing the necessary funding to implement the reforms the Commission recommends. While the government may feel its priority is the upcoming 10-year plan for health, adult social care must not get put to the back of the queue yet again.”
Cllr David Fothergill, Chair of the LGA Community Wellbeing Board, said that the commission is a “crucial” starting point for the best possible future for adult social care.
“Positive and meaningful reform of adult social care is something we should all be interested in,” David added. “At its best, it helps adults live the lives they want, plays a crucial role alongside other public services, such as the NHS, and is a major employer in communities across the country.
“However, the Commission faces a challenging task, with its work taking place amidst a landscape of budgetary and practical obstacles which must be overcome if we are to build a system we can all be proud of.
“Crucial to achieving the Commission’s objectives will be drawing on the vast experience of councils, who play an essential role in designing and delivering these services in collaboration with many local partners. Most importantly, the views, experiences and hopes of people who draw on care – and their loved ones – must sit at the heart of this work.
Key issues the Commission must address include establishing a far greater emphasis on prevention, earlier action and support. Likewise, tackling the recruitment and retention challenges facing the workforce must be a priority.
“This will require looking at pay, and a fully funded Fair Pay Agreement is part of the solution, but focus must also be given to training, development, and progression for the workforce, with local government’s critical role in the Adult Social Care Negotiating Body clearly recognised.
“Lastly, while we recognise the Commission’s timescales, we urge the Government to revisit these to reflect the urgency of the situation, and the reality that people and organisations have already waited long enough for real change.
“The LGA, with its unique cross-party structure, stands ready to work closely with the Commission in the months ahead and calls on the Government to use the forthcoming Spending Review to provide the funding needed to stabilise the sector in the short-term and lay solid foundations for the longer-term reforms the Commission will be proposing.”
The post REACTION: Experts weigh in on formal start of the government’s independent commission into adult social care appeared first on AT Today – Assistive Technology.