The Big Conversation: Help shape the future of adult social care
HIGH DEMAND: Four out of five people will experience social care
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People across the city are being encouraged to help shape the future of adult social care in England.
They are invited to take part in The Big Conversation on Care – described as the most ambitious public conversation in a generation.
It is giving people the opportunity to say what they want and expect from a future National Care Service, including on the tough questions on who it should support, what families should reasonably be expected to do, and how the country should pay for care in a fair and sustainable way.
Launched by Baroness Louise Casey, the first part of the conversation began in July and ends on Wednesday, September 23. The second phase will begin following deliberations of phase 1.
The first phase is asking people about the values and principles we should all expect from a care system, and who should be eligible for support.
The online survey starts with one question: when we are old or disabled, or have a serious illness, who should support us and how?
The first phase is asking people about the values and principles we should all expect from a care system, and who should be eligible for support.
The online survey starts with one question: when we are old or disabled, or have a serious illness, who should support us and how?
Tracy Meyerhoff, Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health at Hull City Council, said: “This is an opportunity for people to share their views on what adult social care should look like in the future – undertaken by an independent commission The Big Conversation is asking about the future of social care, how we should support people and who should support us when we may need it?
“Care will affect us all and four out of five people will experience social care before they die. It is something that should be important for us all to want to know what it is and to get it right for the future.”
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Councillor Linda Chambers, the council’s portfolio holder for Adult Services and Public Health, said: ‘It’s been talked about for a long time about how we’re going to fund it. And it’s not just the funding, it’s how we provide it and what we provide. It’s everybody’s chance to have their say before things are set in stone. I want everybody to have the opportunity to get involved and have their say.”
About 5,000 people currently use adult social care in Hull. Although some may associate adult social care with care and support for older people, it actually covers people from the age of 18, and the service –currently a statutory service provided by the council – can begin conversations with future users from the age of 14, preparing them for adulthood.
Councillor Chambers said: “Young people might like to go out to a football match or a club or something at night and they need someone to go with them – they might not want their Mum or Dad to do that – they might want somebody their own age to do that with them, and adult social care can help provide that.”
Tracy said: “Think of it as at any time in your life, whether that’s through illness, physical disability or mental health, social care be there when you need it and end when you don’t.
“It could be support in finding housing, like supported accommodation. We can help people with aids and adaptations to help them stay mobile and independent in their own homes. What could you need support with to live your life?
“One of the biggest things we try to alleviate is loneliness. When people become unwell or less mobile or less independent, they can experience loneliness because they’re isolated, and we support them to keep independent and doing the things that are important to them connecting them to interests like gardening or motor mechanics.”
The consultation follows warnings from Baroness Casey that the adult social care system is “broken”.
Launching the Big Conversation, Baroness Casey said: “For too long, we have been stuck in the same cycle: crisis, promises of reform, another review, and then retreat, while the people who need care, and their families, bear the brunt.
“Social care affects every family in this country: whether we need care ourselves, care for someone we love, work in care, or pay for it through our taxes.
“That’s why I am launching The Big Conversation on Care. I want people across England to help us face the hard questions about how we can build a National Care Service. It is only by listening to the public that we can build the agreement needed for lasting reform.”
It is hoped one million people across England will take part in the Big Conversation.
You can find out more and have your say at caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/