Are people getting the social care they need?
The Government is planning to reform social care. We know from your feedback and our recent resident's priorities survey that adult social care is a real concern for many.
You told us that you struggle to get the social care you need, either for yourself or a family member.
Social care is different from NHS healthcare. It offers more practical support to enable people to live independently.
These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or elsewhere in the community, such as a supported living community or local leisure centre.
Healthwatch England's most recent research has revealed that as many as 1.5 million working age disabled people in England may have some level of unmet or under-met need and could be missing out on social care and other support.
People have also told us that the social care system can be difficult to understand and navigate. Complex assessment and funding processes and a lack of personalised information and support mean people often need help finding the right support for themselves or someone they know.
Healthwatch England recommendations
- We support comprehensive social care reform, including increased investment in services and a shift to a more preventative system.
- The Government should develop and publish an official calculation of adult social care needs and inequality in care access.
- The Government should implement and fund recommendations from the Skills for Care’s social care workforce strategy.
- The Government should provide Councils with the resources to start implement the Partners in Care and Health information and advice toolkit.
- Councils and independent organisations must be given the resources and support to provide proactive information and advice services to their communities, particularly those who may be eligible for social care or other support but are not receiving it.
- We support calls for care home residents to have a legal right to care support workers and visitors (such as family and friends).
- People’s access to Care Act advocates should be extended to ensure everyone receiving a Care Act assessment is proactively offered advocacy support to understand the process.
Are you waiting for social care for yourself or a family member?
Have you had recent lived experience of social care in Milton Keynes? Was it easy to access, and was the level of care adequate for your needs? How could your experience have been improved? What hasn't worked well for you? Take 5-10 minutes to tell us about your personal experience.
