TO BE PUBLISHED July 2025
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This conference will examine the future for adult social care reform in England.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities for the recently launched Independent commission into adult social care led by Baroness Louise Casey, as the Commission begins work on its first-phase report on implementation of a national care service, for publication next year.
The agenda will bring out latest thinking on key issues facing the sector, those working in it and those who depend on its services - looking at ways forward for creating a sustainable, long-term plan for social care alongside practical, short-term steps for easing pressures on the system.
Focus areas include workforce priorities as the Government proposes to end international recruitment of care workers, approaches for social care within the wider shift toward prevention and community care, with discussion on funding and resources, and how best to utilise innovation and digital skills.
Implementing a National Care Service
Discussion will examine opportunities to build cross-party and stakeholder consensus on the way forward, and prospects for the creation of an NCS.
With some stakeholders expressing concerns regarding the review’s timescale, there will be discussion on options for accelerating the process, including interim measures to address immediate pressures as suggested by care providers and local authorities concerned about the impact of prolonged reform timelines.
There will also be consideration of what can be learned and built upon from previous proposals for social care reform in ensuring a fair and affordable system, including calls for a more localised approach to service delivery and the need for clear definitions of the NCS’s role and scope.
Care workforce recruitment, government policy and supporting unpaid carers
Further sessions focus on workforce support and development, alongside recruitment and retention in the context of the recently published Immigration White Paper proposing to end international recruitment of care workers.
Those attending will look at new strategic directions for attracting and maintaining staff, amidst concerns that proposals will compound existing staff shortages in the sector, including the potential impact on service continuity as highlighted by providers anticipating significant staff losses. Options for building upon the Fair Pay Agreement will be considered, including tackling issues around esteem, career progression and recognition, while addressing immediate pressures related to low pay and poor working conditions that have been cited as primary drivers of workforce shortages.
The conference will also look at priorities for supporting unpaid carers, looking at both short-term options and how a reformed social care system might address issues such as the mental and physical wellbeing of carers, as well as pressure on finances, challenges around the Carer’s Allowance system, and access to respite and support networks. We expect discussion on stakeholder calls for more predictable support frameworks and financial stability to reduce the financial burden on unpaid carers.
Preventative model
Priorities and practicalities for moving toward a preventative model of care will also be examined, drawing on key themes in the Health and Social Care Committee’s Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction inquiry - including the need for better workforce retention, long-term funding stability, earlier intervention, and improved integration with health services, alongside proposals such as a sector-wide Fair Pay Agreement and regular assessments of unmet care needs.
The discussion will also reflect concerns raised by stakeholders about the need for more consistent integration of services for working-age adults with disabilities, with these service users representing a significant proportion of social care demand. They will also look at strategies for achieving earlier detection and management of conditions for older and vulnerable patients, including those with multiple conditions, and supporting wellbeing and the ability to remain independent for longer.
Finance
Priorities for social care resources will be discussed, including possibilities for the provision of multi-year funding, as suggested in Care England’s Sector Pulse Check 2024 Report, as well as ways forward for supporting care providers following the increase in employer National Insurance contributions.
Innovation, data and safeguards
Further areas for discussion include moving toward a model of joined-up care, including the role of technology and strategies for enabling health and care staff to access real-time data, next steps as the Government plans to develop a shared digital platform, and potential options to support care workers in delivering further health interventions. This will include consideration of stakeholder priorities relating to transparent data governance and the need for robust safeguards to protect service users and their families.
Delegates will look at the way forward for setting national standards and guidance to enable the safe deployment of existing and emerging technologies to enhance care, as well as training needed to support safe use of technology across care settings. We also expect discussion on how to avoid over-reliance on technology as a substitute for personal care, as raised by several care providers.
Overall areas for discussion include:
- short and long-term priorities for adult social care:
- opportunities to build on existing visions for the creation of a fair and affordable social care system
- building on lessons learned from previous reform strategies as the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care begins its work - addressing immediate pressures facing the sector
- moving toward a model of joined-up care:
- examining priorities and next steps as the Government plans to develop a shared digital platform to enable health and care staff to access real-time data
- supporting the shift toward prevention and community care - opportunities for more health interventions to be carried out by care workers
- the role of the Better Care Fund 2025-26 - supporting local services to meet the care needs of local populations - personalised care delivery and supporting independence
- funding priorities:
- assessing strategies for delivering funding stability, including proposals for multi-year funding
- what is needed to support care providers following the increase in employer National Insurance contributions
- supporting the wellbeing and development of the workforce:
- options for building upon the Fair Pay Agreement, and providing opportunities for upskilling and recognition
- next steps for supporting and valuing the contribution of unpaid carers - next steps for tackling workforce exploitation
- assessing implications of the Government’s proposals to end overseas recruitment for care workers
- driving innovation:
- priorities for national standards to enable the safe use of existing and emerging technologies - improving digital skills
- putting the care workforce, service users and families at the centre of innovation
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DHSC; NAO; and HMPPS.
