Reform of Adult Social Care Consultation Summary Report published

Date published: 1 June 2023

The Department was encouraged by the high levels of interest and engagement during the consultation process and is grateful to all the individuals, groups and organisations who contributed to the process, both during the co-design phase, and in response to the consultation. Their input was invaluable.

Over 375 participants took part in the 17 online engagement events, and over 200 responses were received through the online survey and written responses.

This report represents an independent analysis of those responses and feedback, and was undertaken by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) on behalf of the Department. This report will be used by the Department to help inform the next steps in the development of adult social care reforms.

This report presents the key themes emerging under each of the six Strategic Priorities that framed the public consultation -

• sustainable Systems Building;
• a Valued Workforce;
• individual Choice and Control;
• prevention and Early Intervention;
• supporting Carers; and
• primacy of Home.

Responses and feedback to the reform proposals have been broadly supportive. However, feedback also reflects the challenges in delivering these reforms, particularly in relation to funding, resources and the quality of services. It is important to note that all the proposed reforms are subject to confirmation of funding and will therefore require prioritisation and planning to ensure realistic delivery.

In that context, the Department has recently established a Social Care Collaborative Forum, the purpose of which is to provide a formal mechanism for the Department and representatives of the Social Care Sector, across the statutory, voluntary/community and private sectors, to work together as partners to build shared values and deliver improvements that will support and sustain social care now and into the future.

The Collaborative Forum will work to implement proposals arising out of the consultation on the Reform of Adult Social Care. Adult social care is diverse in its approach and ranges from providing personal care to those who are frail or unwell, to supportive and rehabilitative care which enables people to live independently. The Reform of Adult Social Care recognises this diversity, and the Collaborative Forum will embrace this diversity in its work.

The Forum will also support opportunities for greater co-operation, co-production and joined up working between the Department, the social care sector, and across Government, to advance the proposals for the reform of adult social care.

In conjunction with the work of the Collaborative Forum, the Department is also developing a strategic Funding Analysis and Delivery Plan for the implementation of the reform proposals over the next 10 years, reflecting the long-term systemic change that is required.