Social care support reform: summary of discussion paper responses

6. Developing a shared vision for adult social care

This section of the report describes stakeholders' comments in relation to what they felt the shared vision/common outcomes for adult social care should be. It also briefly discusses their views on how that shared vision/common outcomes should be developed. While there were specific questions about this in the questionnaire, information is drawn from answers across the whole questionnaire.

6.1 Do we need to develop a 'new' shared vision for adult social care?

A number of responses believed that a shared vision for social care already exists and that there is no need to develop one as part of the national programme. They felt that there was the potential for focus on the aims and objectives for social care to be fragmented if a 'new' vision were developed.

However, others felt that developing a shared vision through the national programme would be an opportunity to simplify the landscape of policies that influence social care and better align towards a common goal. They said, however, that this should incorporate the work that has been done so far on vision and ambitions for social care support.

6.2 Views on how a shared vision for adult social care should be developed

There was widespread consensus among responses as to how a shared vision for adult social care should be developed. Respondents said the vision should be co-produced with people who access social care support and wider services, and carers, and the social services and wider health and care sector.

6.3 Views on a shared vision for adult social care

A few common themes emerged within people's responses on what a shared vision for adult social care should include. The broad themes included:

• A human rights-based approach
• A focus on participation
• Respecting and reflecting agency
• Prevention/early intervention
• A holistic approach
• Meeting of need
• Appropriately funded
• Valued staff
• Integrated and well-coordinated