Care where we live – conversations about adult social care reform

With the Casey Commission offering a rare opportunity for lasting reform, this is a pivotal moment to shape a future that is fair, sustainable and rooted in local communities.

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An opportunity for reform

Over many years, there has been no shortage of reviews, proposals or moments of consensus about the need for social care change. Yet past attempts at reform have frequently stalled, fragmented or failed to translate ambition into lasting improvement. This has left many people sceptical about whether meaningful change is possible, and wary of solutions that do not fully reconcile change, delivery, funding and accountability.

The Casey Commission represents an opportunity to break this pattern.

It offers the chance to take a long-term, system-wide view of adult social care and to shape reform that is durable, fair and rooted in people’s lives. 

Importantly, its work will feed directly into government thinking, including the commitment to build a National Care Service, making this a pivotal moment for influencing the future direction of care and support in England. Local government is central to this conversation.

Tell us what you think

If you work in the adult social care sector in any capacity, or have lived experience of accessing social care services in England, we want to hear your views on future reform. The consultation platform closes on Friday, 27 March 2026.

Find out more below and access the Safe Spaces consultation platform here: 

Register and take part

The role of local government

Councils play a critical role in shaping, delivering and stewarding adult social care in places and communities. Any reformed system will depend on local government leadership, capacity and legitimacy. That is why it is vital to hear views from councils, partners and the public on what role local government should play in the future, and how it can best support people to live the lives they want to lead. 

As the national membership body for the sector, the LGA is proud to lead this conversation and looks forward to sharing the findings from the engagement and our positions in due course.

Register and take part

Related events

Care where we live: What needs to change in local government for social care reform? 

Online, Wednesday 25 February 2026, 10.00 am - 1.00 pm

Care where we live: What needs to change in local government for social care reform?

Newcastle, Wednesday 11 March 2026

Birmingham, Wednesday 18 March 2026

Nottingham, Thursday 19 March 2026

Smith Square Debate: Care where we live: what needs to change in local government for adult social care reform?

London/online, Tuesday 24 March 2026

Help us spread the word 

To help us gather as many views and insights as possible, please support us by sharing the consultation with your networks. 

We’ve created a campaign toolkit that includes social media post copy and graphics, and a press release, which we hope you will adapt and upload to your own website and share with your local press contacts.  

You can also help by sharing LGA social media content on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook 

Thank you for supporting local government during this crucial time for social care in England. 

Further reading on this topic