We respond to the Casey Commission Terms of Reference

We respond to the Casey Commission Terms of Reference, published earlier today. Jim Kane, Chief Executive Officer at Community Integrated Care, said:

“We welcome today’s publication of the Terms of Reference for the Casey Commission into Adult Social Care, particularly its focus on improving support for working-age disabled adults.

We look forward to working with the Commission to ensure this crucial opportunity to improve the social care system, and its partnership with the NHS, delivers tangible transformation in the health, care, and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and other support needs.

It is simply unacceptable that people with learning disabilities die, on average, over 20 years younger than those with similar health conditions in the general population. The Commission must take bold steps to reduce the health inequalities faced by people with support needs, improving access to routine healthcare, health checks, and timely diagnoses.

As a leading advocate for fair pay and professionalisation of the social care workforce, alongside our work to support a Fair Pay Agreement, we will also seek to ensure that the Commission prioritises the development of a national workforce strategy and includes much-needed reform of commissioning practices. This is the only way to achieve a system that values quality, person-centred care and empowers people with disabilities to lead full, happy, and independent lives.

Whilst we know there is no ‘quick fix’ to resolving the long-standing issues in our sector, we urge Baroness Casey and her team to re-consider the current timelines set out for their recommendations, recognising the seriousness of the situation we face, and supporting the creation of a fairer, more effective social care system for those who need it, sooner.”