The Care Act “represents the most significant reform of care and support in more than 60 years”, according to care and support minister Norman Lamb. The new duties placed on local authorities, social workers and organisations providing care and support are considerable. Planning is required to ensure that staff are supported through the changes, service users are aware of their new rights, and implementation of the changes goes smoothly.
Apart from the cap on care costs, which comes into effect in April 2016, the rest of part one of the act will come into force in April of this year. This includes, but is not limited to:
- A requirement for local authorities to carry out an assessment of anybody who appears to need care and support, whether or not they would be eligible for state-funded care. These assessments will be carried out by social workers and others
- Local authorities will have to commission independent advocates for those service users or carers who require one, when there is no one else appropriate to represent their wishes
- All carers will be entitled to a carers’ assessment
- Local authorities will have to lead a local multi-agency adult safeguarding system, and create safeguarding adults boards
So how can the sector prepare for the Care Act? What should local authorities be doing now to ensure they are ready for the changes, and how can professionals make sure that they are prepared for any new duties they will have to take on?
We’ve put together a panel of experts from across the sector to discuss these issues and share resources. The livechat will be taking place on Monday 23 February between 12 and 2pm. The discussion takes place in the comments section below this article. Taking part is easier than ever: you can create a free Guardian account, or log in using your Twitter or Facebook profiles to comment. Alternatively, you can tweet us @GdnSocialCare or email Ruth Hardy who will post your questions for you.
Panellists
Jim Thomas, programme head, Skills for Care
Clara Swinson, director for social care, Department of Health
Mario Ambrosi, head of communication and public affairs, Anchor
Patrick Hall, practice development manager (policy), the Social Care Institute for Excellence (Scie)
Kate Metcalf, professional practice adviser, the College of Social Work
Peter Feldon, BASW member and freelance Care Act consultant
Simon Bottery, director of policy at Independent Age
Discussion commissioned and controlled by the Guardian, hosted to a brief agreed with Skills for Care. Funded by Skills for Care
