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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2016/dec/06/new-manifesto-for-social-care-is-essential-service-users-should-write-it
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| New manifesto for social care is essential – service users should write it New manifesto for social care is essential – service users should write it | |
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| There seems to be a strong sense in social care that the chancellor’s failure to do anything about its ever-worsening crisis in his autumn statement is the last straw. More powerful voices in the sector than ever before have issued statements highlighting the catastrophic state of social care, including the Care Quality Commission, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association. | There seems to be a strong sense in social care that the chancellor’s failure to do anything about its ever-worsening crisis in his autumn statement is the last straw. More powerful voices in the sector than ever before have issued statements highlighting the catastrophic state of social care, including the Care Quality Commission, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association. |
| Yet for many service users and their organisations there’s a feeling that leaders of social care organisations have been failing to speak truth to power. The top-down talk now of the need for a new social movement for social care and for radical reform is likely to feel like too little too late. This is especially true for the many individuals and families struggling with extreme issues and a damaged quality of life; sometimes issues of life and death. | Yet for many service users and their organisations there’s a feeling that leaders of social care organisations have been failing to speak truth to power. The top-down talk now of the need for a new social movement for social care and for radical reform is likely to feel like too little too late. This is especially true for the many individuals and families struggling with extreme issues and a damaged quality of life; sometimes issues of life and death. |
| But the government’s inaction on social care isn’t surprising in the context of its similar inaction on the mental health crisis, the cruelty and failure of welfare reforms, and the appalling waste demonstrated in evidence-free policies like the troubled families programme. | But the government’s inaction on social care isn’t surprising in the context of its similar inaction on the mental health crisis, the cruelty and failure of welfare reforms, and the appalling waste demonstrated in evidence-free policies like the troubled families programme. |
| There is a critical point that needs to be acknowledged here. Even with the current widespread recognition of the crisis in social care, that doesn’t mean there will be any kind of fundamental rethinking over its future or its relation to health policy. Nonetheless the need for a “new script for social care” was the rallying cry of a national seminar organised by Skills For Care in November, where a wide range of stakeholders, including service users, were present. | There is a critical point that needs to be acknowledged here. Even with the current widespread recognition of the crisis in social care, that doesn’t mean there will be any kind of fundamental rethinking over its future or its relation to health policy. Nonetheless the need for a “new script for social care” was the rallying cry of a national seminar organised by Skills For Care in November, where a wide range of stakeholders, including service users, were present. |
| Service users and their organisations have long been calling for a fundamental rethink. Disabled people and other service users, and their organisations, have been a beacon of good sense about what’s needed in social care for decades. They have come up with most of the new ideas and have pressed for social care to be given priority. | Service users and their organisations have long been calling for a fundamental rethink. Disabled people and other service users, and their organisations, have been a beacon of good sense about what’s needed in social care for decades. They have come up with most of the new ideas and have pressed for social care to be given priority. |
| It is perhaps time to put together their proposals to form the basis for a “user-led manifesto for social care”. They, together with carers and grassroots organisations, could also provide the political force to help make it happen. | It is perhaps time to put together their proposals to form the basis for a “user-led manifesto for social care”. They, together with carers and grassroots organisations, could also provide the political force to help make it happen. |
| It needs to include both short- and long-term measures and we must begin immediately, recording the funding gap between meeting people’s needs and the money available. Then we will have a clear funding target to aim for. | It needs to include both short- and long-term measures and we must begin immediately, recording the funding gap between meeting people’s needs and the money available. Then we will have a clear funding target to aim for. |
| If we want sustainable social care for the future, quick fixes won’t help, although there are plenty being tried – from underfunded personal budgets policy to the so-called “three conversations” technique. What’s needed instead is a comprehensive new strategy for social care that meets the needs of our changing population. I’ve put together some initial proposals likely to be included. | If we want sustainable social care for the future, quick fixes won’t help, although there are plenty being tried – from underfunded personal budgets policy to the so-called “three conversations” technique. What’s needed instead is a comprehensive new strategy for social care that meets the needs of our changing population. I’ve put together some initial proposals likely to be included. |
| A user-led manifesto for change | A user-led manifesto for change |
| This is only an initial list. Hopefully you will have your own additions to offer. What’s needed most is an open and inclusive debate to advance such a manifesto. Social care is just too important to us all and in too critical a state to be left to traditional experts and ideologically impaired politicians. | This is only an initial list. Hopefully you will have your own additions to offer. What’s needed most is an open and inclusive debate to advance such a manifesto. Social care is just too important to us all and in too critical a state to be left to traditional experts and ideologically impaired politicians. |
| Join the Social Care Network to read more pieces like this. Follow us on Twitter (@GdnSocialCare) and like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest social care news and views. | Join the Social Care Network to read more pieces like this. Follow us on Twitter (@GdnSocialCare) and like us on Facebook to keep up with the latest social care news and views. |