Adult Social Care Review
The first Friday of May was a whirlwind of news, creating the perfect backdrop for an announcement the government might prefer to keep under the radar: the launch of a new independent commission into adult social care in England.
A Quiet Reveal Amidst Political Turmoil
Friday, May 2nd, was dominated by headlines detailing the significant rise of Reform and the corresponding drops for Labour and the Conservatives following the local election results and the first by-election of the current Parliament. Amidst this political drama, with little other news coverage besides perhaps an interview with Prince Harry, a crucial story seemed to escape widespread attention.
The Department for Health and Social Care’s Strategic Release
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) strategically chose Friday, May 2nd, to publish the terms of reference for its independent commission into adult social care in England. This commission, first announced in early January 2025, is set to be led by Baroness Louise Casey. Its establishment follows Rachel Reeves’ decision in July 2024 to abandon her predecessor’s plan to cap social care fees in England from October 2025 – a scheme that had already faced multiple deferrals since its initial framework was set by the Care Act 2014.
The Casey Commission: Two Phases of Reform
The Chancellor’s scaling back of previous plans for social care, while overshadowed by the focus on the scrapping of the universal Winter Fuel Allowance, was brought into stark relief by the release of the Casey commission’s terms of reference on May 2nd. This document confirmed the commission would proceed in two distinct phases:
Phase 1: Medium-Term “Deep-Dive” (Until 2026)
This initial phase aims to “…set out the plan for how to implement a national care service.” In classic Whitehall phrasing, the terms stipulate that “The commission’s work on medium-term reform will be a data-driven deep-dive into the current system.” Given the extensive history of inquiries, reviews, and even a Royal Commission that have previously scrutinised this subject, it’s difficult to envision any truly groundbreaking new insights emerging. Nevertheless, the commission has until 2026 to deliver its report for this phase.
Phase 2: Long-Term Funding Solutions (Two Years)
The second, two-year phase will delve into “…how services must be organised…and discuss alternative models that could be considered in future to deliver a fair and affordable adult care system.” Essentially, this phase will tackle the persistent question that has stalled every proposal to date: how to sustainably fund social care.
The Long Road to a New System
The chosen publication date for these terms of reference may offer a clue to the timeline for any meaningful change. The commission is tasked with producing “tangible, pragmatic recommendations that can be implemented in a phased way over a decade,” which translates to an implementation horizon stretching to 2036.
Meanwhile, the upper capital limit for English local authority funding support remains fixed at £23,250, a figure unchanged since April 2010. With no clear timeline for adult social care reform, care costs are likely to remain a significant and enduring consideration for individuals engaged in long-term financial planning.
For personalised advice on how these ongoing changes in adult social care could impact your long-term financial planning, contact Chartwell Wealth Management today.
