Care Where We Live

Local councils must be at the heart of adult social care reform, says LGA

Part of our ongoing coverage of the Casey Commission – see the full timeline.

A major new report from the Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for a fundamental rethink of adult social care, arguing that councils should play a leading role in helping disabled and older people live independently in the communities they call home.

The report, Care Where We Live, has been produced following a nationwide engagement programme involving councils, people who draw on care and support, unpaid carers, providers and partner organisations. It has also been submitted to the Casey Commission, which is currently considering the future of adult social care in England.
 

Moving beyond crisis care

Rather than concentrating resources on responding to crises, the LGA argues that future reforms should prioritise prevention, independence and community support.

The report says adult social care should be viewed as something that enables people to live the lives they want, rather than simply a service that steps in when needs become severe.

It highlights the importance of helping people remain in their own homes where possible, maintaining relationships, participating in their communities and retaining choice and control over their lives.

For many Independent Living readers, this reflects long-standing calls for care and support to focus on independence rather than dependency.
 

 

A new partnership

The LGA says successful reform will require a new partnership between national government, local government and citizens.

Under its proposals:

• National government would provide long-term funding, national standards and the overall legal framework.

• Councils would take the lead in planning and coordinating care locally, working with NHS organisations, housing providers, voluntary organisations and local communities.

• People who use services and unpaid carers would have a stronger voice in designing local support.

The report argues that councils are best placed to understand the needs of their local populations and bring together health, housing, transport and community services around individuals.
 

Supporting independent lives

The LGA also wants greater emphasis on early intervention and practical support that helps people stay well and independent.

This includes improving access to accessible housing, assistive technology, community activities and preventative services that can delay or reduce the need for more intensive care.

The report recognises that unpaid carers are an essential part of the care system and says they should receive better recognition and support.

It also highlights the importance of working more closely with local communities, voluntary organisations and neighbourhood networks to reduce loneliness and help people stay connected.
 

Funding remains essential

While the report sets out an ambitious vision for reform, it also makes clear that meaningful change cannot happen without sustainable long-term investment.

The LGA says councils need stable funding and greater certainty if they are to invest in prevention and reshape local services, rather than continually responding to immediate financial pressures.

It argues that reform should be seen as a long-term programme rather than a series of short-term policy changes.
 

Looking ahead

The report is intended to inform the Casey Commission’s work on adult social care reform, with the LGA hoping its recommendations will influence the next phase of government policy.

For disabled and older people, many of the proposals reinforce principles that have been advocated for years: support that is personalised, based in local communities, focused on independence and backed by properly funded local services.
 

Response from a contributor

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) submitted evidence to the consultation that informed this report.

Gerard Crofton-Martin, Interim Chief Executive at SCIE, said:

“The challenge facing social care is not simply responding to rising demand, but ensuring that we prevent, delay, or reduce the need for more intensive services, maximise independence, and enable people to live well in the place they call home.
“We know that earlier action and prevention improve outcomes for people, reduce long-term dependency, and support the sustainability of both the NHS and social care.
“We already have strong foundations embedded in the Care Act 2014 and a widely-shared understanding of what good care should deliver. Our task now includes tackling unwarranted variation in social care.
“As the Casey Commission considers the future of adult social care, this is a prime opportunity to promote prevention and early intervention and to identify the investment needed for a National Care Service. That includes building a system that is fair, equitable, and easier for people to understand and navigate.”

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Further reading and resources

The Casey Commission: full coverage of adult social care reform

A “moment of reckoning” for adult social care

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