Certitude Respond to the Terms of Reference of the Casey Commission

We welcomed last week’s publication of the terms of reference for the independent commission on adult social care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey. This marks an important milestone in reshaping the future of social care across the country.

The commission will take a two-phase approach to reform:

• Phase 1 (reporting in 2026) will focus on making the most of existing resources to improve people’s lives. It will start a national conversation on what adult social care should deliver and build public consensus on how best to meet current and future needs.
• Phase 2 (reporting by 2028) will drive long-term transformation to create a fair, sustainable adult social care system. It will address demographic changes, aim to enhance service efficiency, and explore better care models for those supported and their families.

Certitude Chief Executive Aisling Duffy highlighted the importance of bold action:

“This independent commission is a vital step toward reshaping social care for the future. With ongoing challenges – insufficient public funding, a lack of public understanding of the value of social care, and rising unmet need – bold, transformative action is needed. Now more than ever, we must build a system that truly empowers people and communities.

“At Certitude we are eager to contribute to this crucial work, sharing our experience of delivering high-quality support and good practice as well as the barriers that get in the way. Most importantly, the Commission must listen to the vast experience, views, and hopes of people who draw on social care support and their families and make this central to shaping the future of social care.

“We look forward to working with Baroness Casey and her team to ensure meaningful and lasting change. There is no more time to waste.”

To read the terms of reference, visit Independent commission into adult social care: terms of reference - GOV.UK