Responding to Baroness Louise Casey’s speech on adult social care, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) says:
‘Baroness Casey’s speech provided a snapshot of the evidence submitted to the commission so far. It highlighted some of the systemic challenges facing the country’s approach to care, the silos, competing priorities and fragmentation that exists and the need for a public mandate if lasting reform is to succeed.
'While much was said about our ageing population and how to live well for longer, there are millions of people with lifelong disability or acquired injury that must also be able to access the support they need to live the lives they choose.
'Ensuring social care provision is on a surer footing for all who need it, is no easy fete. It requires an overhaul of current systems and approaches, policies and prioritisation. The Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector is critical to that reframing through its reach, person-centred approach and social value.
'As we look ahead to the Commisison's phase one report and national conversation with the public, we will continue to engage with the Casey team, to share evidence, ideas and most importantly the lived experience of disabled people, families and carers.'
--ENDS
A summary of the speech can be found here, along with other responses from across local government and elsewhere.