Social care reform proposals are welcome but long overdue

Social care reform proposals are welcome but long overdue

By Councillor Keith Cunliffe, deputy leader of Wigan Council and cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care

Throughout the last 20 years successive governments have recognised the challenges of providing adult social care posed by increasing costs and demands.

In our borough, we’ve got a demographic change and an aging population. We also have increasing numbers of young people who are of working age with a disability, creating tremendous, combined pressures on our budgets.

For example, almost 40 per cent of all council spend is on adult social care, a significant increase in recent years. Adding children’s social care, it’s around 60 per cent on all social care.

As mentioned, successive governments have recognised these challenges. Yet, no-one has been able to resolve it.

At last month’s meeting of the Full Council, I am very pleased that the council voted to support the government in launching an independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, to look at adult social care reform.

I think during those commission investigations, it would be useful for them to come to Wigan Borough to see some of the successes we’ve had in transforming the services and having better lives at less costs.

So, we welcome the commission and its aims, but it will only report in 2028.

It’s crucial, therefore, that during the period that the commission is sitting and producing its recommendations, we need a fair financial allocation for adult social care.

We need to ensure that social care doesn’t go under during that period against the pressure on the demands of the system.

It is right to emphasise though that the commission should be focused on getting it right and not doing it quick.

I’d much rather they take the time to get it right, rather than something quick that doesn’t work, which is what has happened in the past.  And we have full confidence in the appointment of Baroness Louise Casey to lead this important work.

So, I am pleased that the council has backed this motion and we will stand ready to contribute to the commission, if requested.

The wording of the motion to full council was as follows:

The announcement that Baroness Louise Casey will lead an independent Commission on Adult Social Care reform and the establishment of a National Care Service is an important step in addressing the significant challenges facing the sector.

This Council asks the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State welcoming and supporting the Review, but also expressing our concern about the timescale for the Commission to provide its final report. The review of Adult Social Care must deliver bold, innovative, and actionable recommendations, backed by a firm financial commitment to bring them into reality. In view of the substantial challenges facing Local government we request that consideration be given to providing short to medium term support to maintain and improve services in Adult Social Care until such time as the recommendations of the Commission can be actioned and delivered.