Reforming adult social care in England

Adult social care lacks sufficient weighting and understanding within health-led Integrated Care Systems.

When we pointed out that it was not always the case that social care got the right weighting in ICS structures because they are health-led, the Department acknowledged that the system was not working everywhere.10 The National Care Forum called for the appointment of adult social care leads on all … Read more When we pointed out that it was not always the case that social care got the right weighting in ICS structures because they are health-led, the Department acknowledged that the system was not working everywhere.10 The National Care Forum called for the appointment of adult social care leads on all Integrated Care Boards (statutory bodies that are responsible for planning and funding most NHS services in an area) to correct the tendency for everything to be viewed solely through a healthcare lens, noting that the voice of adult social care providers and people accessing care and support was often overlooked.11 Likewise, the County Councils Network (CCN) expressed its concerns that the structure of ICSs meant that key decision-making powers lay with the NHS, and that local government had limited representation on Integrated Care Boards. This, explained the CCN, meant that although joint decision-making can take place, it is not guaranteed that monies distributed by these means will always be allocated to social care. CCN also queried whether Integrated Care Board officials really understood how joint funding should be spent and the risk that it might be absorbed into spending on acute health pressures.12 6 Committee of Public Accounts, Introducing Integrated Care Systems, Thirty-Fifth Report of Session 2022– 23, HC 47, 23 January 2023 7 Committee of Public Accounts, Introducing Integrated Care Systems, Thirty-Fifth Report of Session 2022–23, HC 47, 23 January 2023 8 Department of Health and Social Care, Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Thirty fifth report from Session 2022–23, 12 April 2023 9 Q 19 10 Q 20 11 RSE0004 12 RSE0031 Reforming adult social care in England 11 Show less