New vision for adult social services

The government has announced its intention to develop a
‘vision’ for the future of adult social care,
writes David Callaghan.

Community care minister Stephen Ladyman said: “We are about
to put social services for adults right in the
spotlight.”

He told social services directors at their spring seminar in
Torquay: “You have a once in a lifetime opportunity to help
us write it.”

He said the government was keen to assure social care
professionals, who will be consulted on the new vision, the
government had no intention of downgrading adult services.

Adult services must be in “synchronicity” with
children’s services, Ladyman explained, and must be
“person-centred”, “pro-active” and
“seamless”.

“We have to move away from mass-produced services,” he
said.

The vision will take the form of a five-year strategy. One of the
first steps will be to appoint a director of social care at the
Department of Health to work with Antony Sheehan, director of care
services.