December 2023
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focused on next steps for adult social care in England.
It ibrought stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss key priorities for service improvement in the context of the Next steps to put People at the Heart of Care policy paper published in April, as well as the Government’s response to the House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee’s report earlier this year.
Delegates discussed options for addressing key issues including improving performance, funding models, developing service user choice and access to care, and increasing workforce capacity.
Attendees considered priorities for addressing workforce challenges and options for improving skills within the sector, with the Government expected to publish a ‘care workforce pathway for social care’ later this year.
Further sessions looked at achieving effective integration of social care within ICSs, as well as the way forward for delivering accountability and quality social care, and alternative and innovative models of care delivery.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Baroness Andrews, former Chair, House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee (pre-recorded presentation); Vicky Davis, Director, Local Government Value for Money, National Audit Office; Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive, Care England; and Stuart Hoddinott, Senior Researcher, Institute for Government.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- policy: looking at progress in reform commitments so far - implementing the social care white paper - assessing the impact of recent reports on the social care policy landscape
- funding: current outlook and approaches to funding and performance of adult social care in England - potential for increased investment
- different approaches: options for alternative ways of providing care - future role for the private sector - implications of interventions such as the Archbishops’ Covenant for England
- workforce: addressing capacity and burnout - recruitment and retention priorities - supporting unpaid carers - developing skills in the sector
- integrated care: effective integration of social care within ICSs - the role of ICSs in the commissioning of care services going forward and reducing inequalities - developing innovative care delivery
- quality of care: how best to improve accessibility and quality of care within the NHS - the role of inspections and accountability in ICSs - developing personalised care and choice for service users
- health disparities: assessing potential geographical variation in adult social care services - addressing national disparities and reducing health inequalities
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from DHSC; GLD; HMPPS; Home Office; ICO; UKSA; and The Scottish Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords.
