Events > Transforming Adult Social Care: Improving the Service Delivery Framework

Event Details

Title:

Transforming Adult Social Care: Improving the Service Delivery Framework

Date:

Tuesday 06th July 2010

Time:

10.15am – 4.30pm

Venue:

One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London

“ One size cannot possibly fit all and so this national strategy will only be effective if taken forward in local implementation plans. These plans will only work when developed in partnership with the people who use adult social care and with a range of organisations, including those in children’s services, health, housing, transport and beyond. Crucially delivery will need the commitment of local leaders, including those in the private and third sectors, and the political leadership of local councils.”
— “Working to Put People First: The Strategy for the Adult Social Care Workforce in England”, April 2009

“ Our vision is that by 2018, carers will be universally recognised and valued as being fundamental to strong families and stable communities. Support will be tailored to meet individuals’ needs, enabling carers to maintain a balance between their caring responsibilities and a life outside caring, while enabling the person they support to be a full and equal citizen.”
— “Report of the Standing Commission on Carers 2007 to 2009”, October 2009

Overview

In a changing society, more people are living longer and developing long term clinical conditions, yet expectations of quality of life are increasing and many people aspire to retain independence and control over their own lives. With the number of people aged over 85 and in need of care expected to double in the next 20 years, it is clear that the current social care system must be reformed urgently, expanding capacity and modernising the structure and workforce to enable high quality personalised care.

‘Working to Put People First’ stresses the need to develop and re-model the adult social care workforce; identifying existing skills gaps and targeting training and recruitment accordingly, whilst actively seeking to recruit and retain talented and skilled employees. Alongside re-shaping the workforce, efforts must be increased to integrate services and utilise resources through greater and more effective joint working and commissioning between all sectors.

The positive shift towards independent living and care at home will also rely on the increased contribution of carers. Acknowledging that much more must be done to support and empower carers, ‘Carers at the Heart of 21st Century Families and Communities’ commits to tailoring services, providing greater financial assistance and enabling carers to maintain lives outside of caring by 2018.

As the new coalition government draws up its roadmap for social care reform, this symposium provides a timely opportunity for local authorities, NHS, practitioners and key stakeholders to assess current progress in strengthening the adult social care workforce, embedding personalisation and meeting the 2018 target for carers. Delegates will discuss how best to lead workforce changes, raising the profile of social care in order to attract a diverse talent pool and improving the training and confidence of practitioners. The afternoon session will explore how to help relieve the strain of caring through easier access to services, supporting employment and provide opportunities for respite. Delegates will have the opportunity to debate, network and share innovative best practice with colleagues across the social care landscape.

Programme