Labour government announces new commission into adult social care in England

BASW England strongly questions the government’s decision to establish a new commission on adult social care reform. We do not need a new Commission to tell us what we already know. The evidence of the challenges in adult social care and the solutions required has been available for decades. What the sector needs now is action—not another delay disguised as progress.

Years of inaction and empty promises

This is the third independent Commission on adult social care reform in 30 years, yet meaningful change has failed to materialise. Previous commissions, including the Royal Commission on Long Term Care and the Dilnot Commission, provided clear and actionable recommendations. These were either ignored or abandoned, leaving the sector in a perpetual state of crisis.

BASW England’s own submissions to recent inquiries, such as the Lords Select Committee’s "Lifting the Veil" report and the Commons Committee’s "Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction" inquiry, have repeatedly highlighted the urgent need for:

• Long-term, sustainable funding solutions for adult social care.
• Measures to address workforce shortages and high caseloads.
• Greater recognition and investment in social care to achieve parity with the NHS.
• Immediate action to support community-based care and reduce reliance on acute services.

These are well-documented, evidence-backed priorities that require decisive action, not another commission.

A crisis demanding urgency

The Commission, with a final report scheduled for 2028, will do nothing to address the immediate crisis facing adult social care. People in need of care, families, and social workers cannot wait four more years for recommendations that are likely to reiterate what is already known. The government’s approach fails to reflect the urgency required to address prevention at a community-based place level, chronic underfunding, workforce pressures, and the unmet needs of the growing number of individuals waiting for care.

Social care and social work deserve more than lip service

The announcement of the commission underscores the continued disparity in how health, and social care including social work are treated. The NHS has received rapid reviews and major funding boosts, while social care is once again relegated to the slow lane. 

Social workers, as part of a distinct profession working within social care and health, are already under immense pressure, continue to manage excessive caseloads and deal with the fallout of years of systemic neglect. While they strive to uphold the dignity and rights of those they serve, they cannot be expected to compensate for the lack of government action.

Maris Stratulis, National Director BASW England 

“BASW England is committed to working with Baroness Casey, Chair of the new Commission, however the demand and significant funding shortfalls in Adult Social Care cannot be underestimated. The impact of workforce shortages, high workloads and unmet care need cannot be put on hold any longer. Investment in strengthening place based holistic community support, promotion of choice and person-centred rehabilitation and care including support for paid and unpaid carers must be at the heart of the reform agenda. This must be alongside delivering tangible support for social workers through better working conditions and increased investment in the profession”.

Margaret Young, Chair of the BASW England Adult Social Work Group commented:

"Whilst this announcement is not necessarily what we wanted to hear, BASW England stands ready to continue advocating for urgent, meaningful action to transform adult social care. Social workers and the people they support can no longer be left waiting for promises to be fulfilled. The government must act now. There is no justification for further delay."