Support at home and in supported living plays an important role in helping people live safely and independently in their own homes or in shared supported living settings. This was an important topic which the co-production group felt passionately about and we asked the following question to our local MP Stephen Morgan in his constituency office in Albert Road on Friday.
What can the Government do to make sure people who need support at home or in supported living get good, reliable care that listens to what our community needs?
An easy-read document with the answer to this question can be found here.
Local councils are responsible for arranging this care, and adults of all ages may receive funded support if their needs meet national rules. For some people, Direct Payments offer a way to take more control, allowing individuals to choose their own carers and arrange support in a way that works best for them.
The law, through the Care Act 2014, requires councils to make sure people have a genuine choice of care providers, access to clear information and good quality services. Councils must also support a strong local care market so that people have reliable options in their community.
The Government has set out plans for a National Care Service designed to make care fairer, more consistent across the country and focused on helping people remain at home for as long as possible. Although care would still be delivered locally, national standards would help ensure the same level of quality wherever someone lives. An Independent Commission, led by Baroness Louise Casey, is expected to report in 2026 and again in 2028 on how this system should be built and how it can support long-term improvement.
Alongside these plans, the Government has said it is working to improve the quality of care, increase pay and training for care workers, and bring health and social care services closer together through better communication and shared digital records. More use of Direct Payments, home adaptations such as grab rails and ramps, and clearer standards for care technology are also being encouraged.
Experts agree that the system needs further change. They highlight the need for more people to qualify for funded care, stronger links with the NHS, more stable funding for providers and better pay and training for the workforce. They also suggest that more consistent national assessments may help ensure fairness across different areas.
A wide range of research sets out what a good care system should look like. It should be easy to access, fair no matter where you live, grounded in the community and focused on prevention. It should protect people’s rights, provide high-quality support, and connect well with the NHS, housing and local community services. Above all, it should give people choice and control over the support they receive.
These discussions will help shape the future of adult social care and ensure that people who rely on support at home or in supported living can live with dignity, independence and confidence in the services they receive.
We also asked questions relating to the NHS healthcare and online safety; we’ll share the answers to these questions at a later date.
