Independent commission on social care must deliver “bold and actionable” recommendations: LGA

The Government’s announcement of an independent review of adult social care marks a “potentially important step” in addressing challenges facing the sector, but must deliver “bold and actionable” recommendations in order to succeed, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.

The Government has today (3 January) announced a series of reforms to improve adult social care, alongside plans to launch an independent commission, to inform the work needed to deliver a National Care Service.

The independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, will invite people involved within the care system to "make clear recommendations for how to rebuild the adult social care system to meet the current and future needs of the population."

Split over two phases, the commission will set out a vision for adult social care, with recommended measures and a “roadmap for delivery”.

The first phase, reporting in mid-2026, will identify the critical issues facing adult social care and set out recommendations for effective reform and improvement in the medium term. 

The second phase, reporting by 2028, will make longer-term recommendations for the transformation of adult social care.

The Department for Health and Social Care said: “Opposition parties have been invited to take part in the commission, with the aim of building a cross-party and national consensus on the responsibilities the state and individuals have for social care, how to meet the rising demands caused by an ageing population, and how best to structure the National Care Service.” 

Responding to the announcement, Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association (LGA), said: “The announcement of an independent review of adult social care marks a potentially important step in addressing the significant challenges facing the sector. New funding for adult social care is positive, we are pleased to see that more people will be supported in their homes through more investment in the Disabled Facilities Grant.

“For this process to succeed, the review must deliver bold and actionable recommendations, backed by a firm commitment to provide the substantial funding needed to turn those recommendations into reality.

“The full potential value of this work will only be realised if local government, people drawing on care and support, and other parts of the sector, are fully involved and engaged. This review provides a vital opportunity to create a system that works for everyone, and we are ready to collaborate with the Government and partners to achieve this goal.”

Also responding to the announcement of a new independent review on social care, the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, Layla Moran MP, said: “This announcement from the Government on a commission to look at social care is welcome, however this cannot be an exercise in kicking the can down the road. We urge bravery and courage from the Government and all political parties to work together to act boldly and urgently.

“We are concerned that any further delay perpetuates the hardship for individuals and their families, as well as the cost to the NHS and local authorities.

“The first inquiry our Committee launched is investigating the costs resulting from delays to reform of the social care sector. In the first evidence session of this inquiry next week we will hear from experts on the subject, including Sir Andrew Dilnot and we will ask what impact inaction has had, fourteen years on from the Dilnot Commission’s recommendations to reform social care.”

Other reforms to adult social care announced today include:

• A £86 million increase to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for this financial year, to fund more home adaptations for disabled and older people;
• Supporting care workers to take on further duties to deliver health interventions, such as blood pressure checks, meaning people can receive more routine checks and care at home without needing to travel to healthcare settings;
• The creation of a National Care Service underpinned by national standards, delivering consistency of care across the country;
• The development of a shared digital platform to allow up-to-date medical information to be shared between the NHS and care staff.

Melanie Williams, President of ADASS, said: “We welcome the announcement of a new independent commission on adult social care, which is needed now more than ever with record numbers of people seeking support. ADASS is ideally placed to make a substantial contribution to this crucial work and we look forward to working with Baroness Casey.

“Unfortunately, the timescales announced are too long and mean there won’t be tangible changes until 2028. We already know much of the evidence and options on how to reform adult social care, including our independently commissioned Time to Act report, and worry that continuing to tread water until an independent commission concludes will be at the detriment of people’s health and wellbeing.

"[...] The wider package of short-term proposals is promising and includes some interesting ideas which we are keen to work with the government on. Improvements to support the workforce make huge sense when adult social care has low levels of recruitment and retention, but they require investment in pay and terms and conditions. And while the Disabled Facilities Grant is welcome, it’s a specific housing investment that will require Occupational Therapists to support it – another workforce which will need to be considered and worked into any future plans.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “In the first six months of this government, work has already begun on stabilising the care sector, investing in prevention, and in carers and care workers. The investment and reforms we’re announcing today will help to modernise social care, get it working more closely with the NHS, and help deliver our Plan for Change. 

“But our ageing society, with costs of care set to double in the next 20 years, demands longer term action. 

“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.”

Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at The King’s Fund, suggested that the establishment of a commission “could offer a real opportunity to break the cycle of failure to reform social care”.  

She said: “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.  

“The most fundamental issue to reforming social care is addressing the very tight means test which effectively limits state support to those with the lowest assets and highest needs. The issues and the potential solutions to this are clear and do not require years to consider.”

Lottie Winson