The independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, formally began this week, hearing from those with lived experience in the sector.
Care minister Stephen Kinnock described the commission as a “once in a generation opportunity to transcend party politics and build consensus on the future of adult social care”.
Voices within the adult social care sector had already raised concerns that the second phase of the commission might not report until 2028.
The Government said the first phase of the commission into social care, expected to report in 2026, will set out the plan for implementing a National Care Service. This was a Labour manifesto commitment in last year’s election.
Older people’s care will be considered separately to support for working age disabled adults, “recognising that these services meet different needs”, the terms of reference stated.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer (centre) accompanied by Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (right) visits a healthcare provider in Surrey (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)This first phase, which the Government said is looking at “medium term reform”, will focus on funding for local authority adult social care services as well as NHS funding “and whether they are being best used”.
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All recommendations “must remain affordable”, the Government said, “operating within the fiscal constraints of Spending Review settlements for the remainder of this Parliament”.
But it is understood the commission will consider, as part of its work, what have been described as relevant interactions with other non-devolved matters.
Casey auditing grooming gang scandal
Casey, who has previously led a review into standards and culture of the Metropolitan Police, is also currently overseeing a national audit into grooming gangs in England and Wales.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said the two pieces of work on social care and grooming gangs “don’t interrupt each other”.
Baroness Louise Casey is charing the commission (Photo: Kirsty O’Connor/Getty)
“I want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to contribute to this important work, shaping a social care system that supports people to lead fulfilling, dignified and enriched lives.”
Campaigners stress urgency
While organisations within the sector welcomed the start of the commission, they stressed the “urgent” nature of the change needed.
The Local Government Association, which represents local councils providing care, urged the Government to “revisit” the current timescales “to reflect the urgency of the situation, and the reality that people and organisations have already waited long enough for real change”.
The Homecare Association – the UK’s membership body for homecare providers – said the commission and the Government must “move faster than current timelines suggest, to recognise the seriousness of the issues facing care providers” while the National Care Forum, which represents not-for-profit social care, described it as “absolutely imperative that the commission moves at pace”.
The Government has stressed that the commission is taking a “phased approach” as part of a long-term vision for the sector, and that the use of the word “decade” in the terms of reference is to align with the 10-year health plan.
“This Government is grasping the nettle on social care reform, and I am delighted that Baroness Casey – one of our country’s leading public service reformers – is taking forward this work.”
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