Source · National Audit Office

Reforming adult social care in England

Published: 10 Nov 2023 Recommendations: 6 Type: Value for Money NAO confirmed: 6 Department: Department of Health and Social Care

Our report looks at how DHSC is responding to the challenges facing adult social care in England, and its progress delivering reforms.

Dept: Department of Health and Social Care Topics: Health and social careLocal service deliveryLocal services and housingSocial care nao.org.uk →

Recommendations

6 items

4 accepted 2 rejected 4 implemented

Rec	Recommendation	Addressee	Acceptance	Implementation
1	DHSC should, in the near term, assess the impact of its current and planned reform interventions on local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure that the cumulative impact of its policies are manageable; Ref Page 13, 18 · Implemented Q3 2023/24	Department of Health and Social Care	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
2	DHSC should, in the near term, review its portfolio reporting to ensure that it provides the management information needed to give assurance around overall progress and management of risks to delivery Ref Page 13, 18 · Implemented Q2 2024/25	Department of Health and Social Care	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
3	As it turns its attention to charging reform alongside system reform, DHSC should ensure it has the resources it will require within the Department, in terms of both capacity and capability to deliver the next stage of reform Ref Page 13, 18 · Implemented Q2 2024/25	Department of Health and Social Care	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO
4	DHSC should, in the near term, set out a costed plan to the sector for implementing charging reform from October 2025, incorporating lessons learnt so far Ref Page 13, 18	Department of Health and Social Care	Rejected	Not relevant ✓ NAO
5	As it turns its attention to charging reform alongside system reform, DHSC should publish a long-term plan mapping its reform activity and the funding it will need to achieve its planned outcomes Ref Page 13, 18	Department of Health and Social Care	Rejected	Not relevant ✓ NAO
6	As it turns its attention to charging reform alongside system reform, DHSC should review its arrangements for delivering and overseeing its reform activity, incorporating external challenge, and to conclude whether a more integrated approach is required going forward. Ref Page 13, 18 · Implemented Q2 2024/25	Department of Health and Social Care	Accepted	Implemented ✓ NAO

Public Accounts Committee follow-up

2 reports

The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and published its own recommendations. The government responds to PAC recommendations via Treasury Minutes.

20 Mar 2024 Public Accounts C… Twenty-Second Report - Reforming adult social care in England — 12 recommendations · parliament.uk

10 Jul 2014 Public Accounts C… 6th Report - Adult social care in England · parliament.uk