Major sector announcements made
Casey Commission Terms and Select Committee report is launched
Friday 2 May saw the Terms of Reference and official launch of The Casey Commission beginning.
The commission is an independent review and assessment of the critical issues affecting the adult social care sector requested by the government.
On Monday 5 May the Commission launch was closely followed by the Health & Social Care Select Committee releasing its Adult Social Care Reform: the cost of inaction report.
Said Nicola McLeish, Surrey Care Association CEO: ‘While we welcome the focus the Baroness Casey Review brings to social care, the proposed timelines are deeply concerning. Waiting until 2028 for Phase 2 to report will be far too late for many independent providers already struggling to stay afloat.’
In other linked sector news, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have launched their ‘Care Can’t Wait’ campaign.
The ADASS campaign platform has been created to enable people who draw on care services to share their story and to join with the sector in highlighting the need for better funding and firmer backing for adult social care.
- You can read more on all of these key announcements below. *Photos: ADASS / CentreForAgeing
What is the Casey Commission?
Announced by government in January 2025, as well as looking at the issues affecting the adult social care system, the Commission will also review key areas of reform that are needed for the sector.
Friday’s Terms of Reference were largely welcomed with the addition of the review looking at working age adults and older people’s care separately in recognition that there will be differentiating needs.
Timescales still too far off 
However, similar to when the report was commissioned in January where many were concerned that the first review report would only be produced by 2028, there was further dismay last week that the review recommendations would not be implemented for another 10 years.
Added Nicola McLeish: ‘It is deeply disappointing that yet another opportunity to secure a thriving, vibrant, and future-fit social care system has been delayed or overlooked. The sector needs urgent, bold action—not further years of review and inaction.’
The implementation timescales of proposed reforms says the government, is so that any recommendations can be part of the 10 year NHS Plan due to be published this Spring, with Stephen Kinnock Minister of State for Care commenting:
‘We inherited a social care system in crisis and took immediate action with our Plan for Change – with a funding boost of up to £3.7 billion. A lot has been done, but we know there is so much more to do and deep reform is needed.’
Who are Health & Social Care Select Committee?
The Committee is made up of a group of MPs from different political parties who since the beginning of this yea
r have been scrutinising the monetary cost of not taking any new action on the current status of the adult social care system.
The report highlighted that the economy was missing out on the sector’s potential to drive growth as a result of inaction. It also called for better data to fully assess the impact.
Said Chair of the Committee Layla Moran: ‘Unless the Government measures the true cost of inaction and can make a convincing case to the Treasury, the recommended reforms that come out of the Casey Commission will be doomed to fail.’
The Select Committee report also called on the government to:’…Commission research to fully quantify the cost of continued inaction and…publish data including an annual assessment of the level of unmet care needs for adults…’
It added: ‘In our inquiry, we heard that an investment of £6.1 billion would provide full economic benefits of £10.7 billion – a return on investment of 175%.’
Supporting Care Can’t Wait
Surrey Care Association have been supporting the successful Care Can’t Wait campaign led by ADASS which comes at a time when the real stories of those drawing on support will make the most impact.
You can watch the story of Abbie here. It perfectly illustrates the impact great care makes to the working lives and futures of those being supported, and why more need to have access to it.
Say ADASS: At its best, adult social care enables hundreds of thousands of us to live meaningful lives at home and in our communities. But it’s not always there for everyone who needs it. That’s why we’re providing a platform for people who draw on care and support to share their story and, together, we’re making the case for improvement and investment – so that it can work for all of us.
Surrey Care Association will be watching closely for further developments and details of the Casey Commission Terms of Reference once they emerge and let our members know their impact. We will also keep you updated on implications of the Select Committee and ADASS calls for better government support.
- If you have any stories of impact you would like to share please email: [email protected] *Images: ADASS