SCIE media releases 2005

SCIE makes major contribution to adult green paper

23 June 2005

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) today launched the first stage of its 'Looking to the future' project with a position paper summarising the views of almost 1,000 service users, practitioners and others on the future of adult social care.

Developing social care: the past, the present and the future, by Gerald Wistow, will contribute to the Government green paper Independence, well-being and choice. It sets out peoples' views and research findings, and outlines some of the implications of delivering the vision.

The position paper draws on three major studies: one that consulted extensively with service users, one that reviewed the principles and values of social care and another which reviewed the current position of social care for different user groups. The paper also draws on responses from a pre-green paper consultation SCIE conducted on behalf of the Department of Health.

Head of Knowledge Services at SCIE, Amanda Edwards, who has overseen the work, said that the paper would contribute substantially towards the Government's vision for adult social care.

"SCIE conducted this project to make sure that service users and practitioners' views were heard during this crucial period. Many individuals do not feel empowered enough to contribute to the debate on their own, so by working with them we have harnessed very valuable opinions and knowledge about what adult social care could and should be like."

"Encouragingly, people broadly agreed about what they want from adult social care and the values and principles underlying people's visions are consistent with the wider Government strategy for public service reform and the vision outlined in the green paper. But to implement the vision, significant changes in culture and practice will need to take place."

Care Services Minister, Liam Byrne, said that the paper would provide a wealth of information and would be extremely valuable during the implementation of the vision set out in the green paper.

"The Government is committed to listening to service users and it is particularly important during this time that their views are heard. SCIE's position paper is a rich source of knowledge and it will play a significant role in helping to strengthen and implement the Government's vision for adult social care."

Key findings from the position paper include:

There is a broad consensus about what people want from adult social care. The messages from SCIE's surveys, research reviews, focus groups with people using services and other stakeholders, are consistent with the vision set out in the green paper. There is strong support for the same set of values and principles.

People who use social care think it should help them to be independent and lead more fulfilling lives. They want more choice and control, so they can lead their lives in the way they choose. They want increased opportunities and greater support from the wider society, so that they aren't over-reliant on family and friends. They accept that more choice and independence sometimes involve more risk, and would like better information to be able to make informed decisions.

People were almost invariably positive in their comments about direct payments. Direct payments had not only boosted people's self-esteem and ended their sense of isolation, but enabled them to secure a better standard of support. Yet they also reported continuing difficulties in accessing direct payments, and problems finding sufficient staff.

Amongst participants, there was little enthusiasm for structural change or organisational integration to ensure a 'seamless service'. What mattered was that people should experience services as being joined up, timely and responsive to their circumstances. Streamlining assessment processes could bring major benefits, and there was considerable interest in the scope for self-assessment. People want practical support, but also recognition of their emotional and psychological needs for friendship and intimacy.

People want to be included, accessing mainstream services, participating as active citizens, and contributing to different kinds of community. Independence needs to be matched by interdependence and a sense of belonging. Policies for recognising and supporting families, encouraging volunteering, enhancing the quality and capacity of neighbourhoods, and promoting community safety all have a part to play.

SCIE is encouraging other organisations to use the position paper to inform their consultation responses.

Media contact

Margaret Lynch | Press Officer | T: 020 7089 6858 | M: 07834 194 896