Sustainable social care programme

What is sustainable development?

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‘Sustainability’ is increasingly understood to require a balance of positive social, economic and environmental outcomes. This is sometimes known as the ‘triple bottom line’. Sustainability also means having regard to future as well as present generations. In policy terms, these approaches are combined under the term ’sustainable development’.

The UK national policy context is set by the Government’s strategy Securing the Future (2005) which aims for ‘a better quality of life, now and for generations to come’.

Taking a sustainable development approach may sometimes seem difficult, but the benefits are deep and long-lasting. The prize is to identify ‘win-win-win’ opportunities, such as the health and environmental benefits of ‘green’ travel planning which encourage walking and cycling instead of driving, reduce treatment costs to the NHS plus productivity costs to business through reduced sickness absence.

For further information about sustainable development, please visit:

• IDeA Knowledge – your sustainability questions answered
• Sustainable Development Commission: about sustainable development

SCIE's sustainable social care programme

The programme comprises two projects supported by communication and dissemination activity.

• The Sustainable Social Care System research project analyses the conditions necessary for a sustainable social care system in a given community or setting. It is delivered by the Institute for Sustainability, Health and Environment (ISHE) at the University of the West of England.
• The Sustainable Social Care Learning Network explores the challenges facing sustainable social care. It is delivered by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU).
• Independence, community and environment: Final report of the Sustainable Social Care Learning Network