JRF spotlights the future of the adult social care system

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is inviting people to join a panel of experts to discuss the future of adult social care in England. Two seminars – What do community and family mean in the 21st century? and The future and funding of adult social care in England – will discuss key points from seven reports recently commissioned by JRF and will offer an opportunity for delegates to help influence and shape the debate on the government’s recent Green Paper, Shaping the future of Care Together.

Sue Collins, Programme Manager at JRF, said: “While the political parties have recognised the need to change the system it is important, especially in the current economic climate, that there is a real commitment to creating a system that works. Our research shows that the current adult social care system is unfair, unsustainable and unclear. These seminars will provide an excellent opportunity for people to share their views on how the system should be shaped, funded and delivered.”

“It is vital that we continue to engage with people – not just the professionals but service users, carers and all of us who will be facing this issue in the future.”

The first seminar on 19th October will explore the ideas and challenges around the role of community and family in the twenty-first century. Speakers, including David Brindle (The Guardian), Kalyani Gandhi (independent consultant), and Professor Susan Himmelweit (The Open University), will each present key messages from recent work commissioned by the JRF. Dorothy Runnicles, from the National Development Team for Inclusion, will respond.

The second seminar on 4th November will look at the funding of adult social care in Britain. Speakers, Professor Justin Keen (University of Leeds), Professor Peter Beresford (Brunel University) and Professor Caroline Glendinning (University of York), will look at different ways the system could be funded, how it could be made fairer and what England can learn from other countries. Henry Featherstone, from Policy Exchange, and Sue Regan, from the Resolution Foundation, will be responding. Two young people from York have also been invited to join the panel to share their views.

At both events delegates will be asked to take part in discussions and will also have the opportunity to put questions to the authors and respondents. Feedback from delegates will be added to the work JRF has already carried out in this area and will hopefully go towards creating a system which supports independence, choice and dignity.

For more information or to book a place at one of the events please contact Anne Richardson on 01904 615957 or email [email protected].