Operation of the Adult Social Care Market

Care England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, has called for a spotlight on outcomes rather than processes in the way in which care is commissioned.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:

“With the Public Accounts Committee’s great standing and reputation for holding bodies to account we hope that this inquiry will encourage a change in commissioning processes in order to support provider sustainability. The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the importance of creating markets that support rather than undermine the adult social care sector’s development”.

In its submission to the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into the operation of the adult social care market, Care England sought to stress that a new reality has been imposed upon the adult social care sector as a result of COVID-19. Existing funds and commissioning models have however thus far proved incapable of responding to this new reality. Thus, a commissioning system needs to be created that is responsive to the needs of the sector, both in terms of Continuing Healthcare and local authority funded rates.

The Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry will examine how adult social care is currently provided and structured; DHSC’s effectiveness in overseeing the market and holding providers to account; and its understanding of future demand, costs and alternative delivery models; the impact of COVID-19 on the market and the sector’s financial sustainability. https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1135/adult-social-care-markets/

Martin Green continues:

“We need a new vision for adult social care, one that focuses on moving from a crisis orientated system to one that is asset based and maintains choice, autonomy and control for people as much as possible. It must also deliver services that are connected to the heart of local communities. For too long, adult social care commissioning has, in many parts of England, served to merely undermine provider sustainability”.