Social care vision must clarify public confusion – An IPPR Perspective

The big news story is the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton. Like many other couples, they and their families will spend much time planning for their wedding. If only so much planning and attention was given to all major life changes.

Last week saw the Government publish their vision for social care, outlining a genuine commitment to deliver more personalised services through more effective delivery.

Responding to the publication of the Government’s vision for social care, the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) is highlighting research that exposes a lack of awareness about social care, confusion about how services are funded and a widespread lack of preparation or planning for future care needs. Our opinion polling found that there are misconceptions and confusion about social care funding; only 46% of people were aware that care provision is means tested. This uncertainty around funding suggests that many are in a weak position to plan or prepare for their future care needs. Indeed, only a minority (22%) are taking any specific steps to provide for or fund their own care. Large proportions of people across different age groups either have not considered this issue or feel unable to make any such plans.

A real concern arising from our research is that the public’s current understanding of social care is insufficient to enable an informed debate about the future of social care to take place. The majority (69%) do not feel well enough informed about these services and the financial implications they have for them and their family. People want to know more about these issues and are keen for a wider debate on the future of social care.

Our research highlights the gap between the public’s expectations and social care realities. If the Government genuinely aims to ‘shift power from the state to the citizen’ it urgently needs to address this disconnect before it can seek to fundamentally reform the social contract between the state and its citizens.

By Dalia Ben-Galim, Associate Director, ippr