Transforming Adult Social Care - the Social Care Reform Grant

Chief Executives of Councils in England have now been notified of their allocation of the final year of the Social Care Reform Grant[1].  The purpose of this grant is to support local authorities (LA) and their partners to deliver the transformation of adult social care (ASC) originally set out in 2007 in Putting People First[2]. The funding allocated is substantial: in addition to a £237 million revenue grant, a further £33.5 million capital funding has been allocated to help LA with infrastructure costs which underpin the required change.

As both Putting People First and the recent Local Authority Circular make clear, the outcomes of this transformation are not limited to public services targeted at those eligible for state funding.  Rather, future social care should also encompass self-funders, those who might need services in the future and those with lower level and preventative social care needs as well as families and carers.  In addition, support needs to be shaped around individuals, enabling them to help themselves and each other.

It is therefore unsurprising that access to universal, joined up information and advice (I&A) has been identified as one of the five priority areas for this first stage of the transformation, and as such is an area for which LAs should use this year’s Social Care Reform Grant funding.

To view information on Opportunity Links work within this area go to our website.

Chief