Social Services: Reform

The Government is already delivering reform to adult social care and progressing towards a future National Care Service. This progress is built on higher standards, greater choice and control, and better join-up between services — with over £4 billion of additional funding available for adult social care by 2028/29.

We are:

• Raising the quality of care, including by legislating for a Fair Pay Agreement backed by £500 million, expanding career pathways, and investing £12 million in workforce development.
• Improving join-up between health and social care through neighbourhood health services, reform of the Better Care Fund, and enhanced digital and data infrastructure to support safer, more personalised care.
• Expanding choice and control, including through encouraging the greater use of direct payments, £172 million for home adaptations, and new care technology standards to help people choose the right support.

To help shape medium and longer-term reforms, the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Casey, will report in two phases — first in 2026, and again by 2028. Implementation will follow each phase. We have been clear that addressing the complex, deep-rooted challenges facing the sector will take time. This timeline allows Baroness Casey to carry out the national conversation needed to reach broad public and cross-party consensus on reforms to build a social care system fit for the future.