The National Care Forum (NCF) – the leading association for not-for-profit social care has responded to the publication of the Casey Commission Terms of Reference.

NCF CEO, Vic Rayner commented: “We welcome the publication of the independent Casey Commission’s Terms of Reference which will explore what is needed for medium and long- term reform and the development of a National Care Service. NCF and its membership stands ready to help Baroness Casey as she undertakes this important piece of work and look forward to collaborating closely with her and the Commission team.

“The Terms of Reference set out, in their brief way, confirmation that the reporting timelines for the Commission will be unchanged. This instantly poses a concern as to how seriously government is taking the urgency for social care reform, as the issues resulting in people not being able to access the care and support they need now, continue to be well documented.

“The Commission must also be careful that in aligning with the NHS 10 Year Plan and the achievement of health targets in Phase 1, the focus does not move away from where it should be; the purpose of social care to help people live well and have good lives. We would urge the Commission to keep this, and the role that social care plays in preventing hospital admissions, as the central thread as the “national conversation” begins in Phase 1.

“We urge the Commission, when considering possible improvements to quality and productivity through changes to funding flows and accountability mechanisms, to explore thoroughly how the not-for-profit models operated by our members support value for the public pound and the ethical delivery of care and support. We invite the Commission team to visit our members’ services to understand this better by meeting frontline care workers and those that they provide care and support for and their families.

“The Commission starts against an alarming backdrop of continued financial pressure and strain on our social care system. While it will need to focus on the long-term, it is imperative that the government understands we cannot wait until the Commission’s recommendations are published before taking action. This must include setting aside sufficient funding in the Spending Review so as not to curtail the important work Baroness Casey is undertaking.

Building a social care system fit for the future can only be achieved by ensuring it is built on solid ground.”