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Local Government Reform and the future shape of adult social care

20 January 2025

By Gerard Crofton-Martin, Director of Transformation and Improvement, SCIE

 

The recent English Devolution White Paper sets out clear proposals to end two-tier local government and another Local Government Reform (LGR) programme over the next few years. A large number of authorities have applied to be ‘fast tracked’ for early consideration in the LGR process, with 16 counties and two unitarity authorities formally requesting the postponement of their local elections.

Those involved in previous LGR processes know that this will bring a significant period of sector inward reflection as new proposals for the structure of local government are debated, once again, in many areas across England. It can be an uncertain, messy and political affair.

Most commentators believe that Unitary Local Government works more effectively and brings a number of benefits, not least ease of navigation for the public. In the case of adult social care (ASC) there is better potential to fully exploit service synergies, particularly with housing and planning services, which are often difficult to achieve smoothly within two-tier systems.

Image of SCIE employee Gerard Crofton-Martin

SCIE believe all of these structural decisions are rightly the result of debates and discussions with local communities, including people with lived experience of drawing on care and support, politicians (both local and national), local businesses, public sector partners, the voluntary sector and other key stakeholders on the right configuration of local government in different geographical areas. There is no ‘one size fits all’ model.

The position of ASC may be further complicated by the recent announcement of the independent  commission into adult social care to inform the work needed to deliver a National Care Service. The recommendations of the commission will no doubt bring further dimensions to this debate, with the reporting timetables for the commission likely to coincide with critical LGR discussions and considerations.

It is currently unclear how all of these different policy strands will work as an integrated and aligned process.

However, crucially LGR does bring a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance and the opportunity to fundamentally re-think ASC, to build new service delivery models with residents and potentially new local authorities. 

While it might feel like we are seeing ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunities with ever-increasing frequency, SCIE does believe this is a genuine opportunity that provides a great platform for service transformation.

The timing of LGR is particularly interesting given the real challenge that complex demographics will bring to most areas over the next decade. Based on the demographic changes, ASC will need to develop new ways of working that are capable of delivering with significantly greater demand for services and probably without much fiscal wriggle room.

SCIE is working with councils across all tiers to support them in assessing and understanding preferred options around the future provision of ASC. We would love to talk to you to explore your thinking and your priorities in your areas.

Our team has been actively involved in the development of LGR business cases (and subsequent change programmes) in the previous four rounds of LGR, so we have some insight (and bruises) from all of this learning and previous processes. 

As always at SCIE, we are keen to collaborate and share. 

Contact our team for more information, or to find out how SCIE can support you.

sciebusdevelopmentteam@scie.org.uk

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