Throughout the year we will be sharing information on our campaign focus areas. Those topics we feel strongly about and are fighting for on behalf of our members.
This month we are discussing social care.
Adult social care is facing significant and growing pressures, with hundreds of thousands of people across England waiting to access assessments, support, or ongoing care services. At the same time, rising demand, workforce shortages, and funding constraints are creating increasing challenges for local authorities, care providers, and families. These pressures are being felt across the system and are having a direct impact on the quality, accessibility, and timeliness of care.
The relationship between health and social care is a particular area of concern. When services are not effectively coordinated, the consequences can include delayed hospital discharges, avoidable pressure on NHS resources, and poorer outcomes for older people and those with complex needs. Addressing these challenges requires a more integrated approach that places individuals at the centre of service delivery and ensures support is available when and where it is needed.
The Government’s decision to commission Baroness Casey’s independent review of adult social care marks an important step in the wider conversation about the future of care in England. The review presents an opportunity to examine how the system can better meet current demand while preparing for the needs of future generations. Its recommendations are expected to help shape the development of a National Care Service, a key Government commitment that has the potential to transform the way care is organised and delivered.
As policymakers consider the path forward, there is a growing recognition that meaningful reform cannot be postponed indefinitely. The challenges facing the sector are immediate, and many people who rely on care today cannot afford to wait years for change. A clear plan for investment, integration, and long-term sustainability will be essential if the sector is to provide the high-quality support that individuals, families, and communities need.
Our Budget for Later Life explores these issues in greater detail, highlighting both the scale of the challenges facing adult social care and the opportunities for reform that could help build a more resilient, responsive, and person-centred system for the future.
We propose:
A National Social Care Framework setting minimum standards across the UK and ending the postcode lottery in access and quality.A sustainable funding settlement, moving away from crisis-driven short-term funding. Options include a dedicated social care levy or ring-fenced taxation.
Investment in the care workforce, with fair pay, training, and career progression.
Integration with the NHS, ensuring older people experience joinedup pathways of care.
