7 July 2026
Today, 7 July 2026, the Local Government Association has published its ‘Care Where We Live’ report, which considers the role of local government in a future, reformed system of adult social care.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) submitted evidence to the consultation that informed this report.
The challenge facing social care is not simply responding to rising demand, but ensuring that we prevent, delay, or reduce the need for more intensive services, maximise independence, and enable people to live well in the place they call home.
We know that earlier action and prevention improve outcomes for people, reduce long-term dependency, and support the sustainability of both the NHS and social care.
We already have strong foundations embedded in the Care Act 2014 and a widely-shared understanding of what good care should deliver. Our task now includes tackling unwarranted variation in social care.
As the Casey Commission considers the future of adult social care, this is a prime opportunity to promote prevention and early intervention and to identify the investment needed for a National Care Service. That includes building a system that is fair, equitable, and easier for people to understand and navigate.
Gerard Crofton-Martin
Interim Chief Executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
About SCIE
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) improves the lives of people of all ages by co-producing, sharing, and supporting the use of the best available knowledge and evidence about what works in practice. We are a leading independent social care charity working with organisations that support adults, families and children across the UK.
If you have any questions regarding this release, please do not hesitate to contact Molly Pennington, Press and Media Relations Officer, at molly.pennington@scie.org.uk