Care and Support White Paper published
The Department has published the ‘Caring for our future: reforming care and support’ White Paper, which sets out the vision for a reformed care and support system. The new system will:
- focus on people’s wellbeing and support them to stay independent for as long as possible
- introduce greater national consistency in access to care and support
- provide better information to help people make choices about their care
- give people more control over their care
- improve support for carers
- improve the quality of care and support
- improve integration of different services
You can find out more about the White Paper and the draft Care and Support Bill on the Caring for our future website.
Our response to the Care and Support White Paper:
This marks a significant step forwards for social care towards an integrated system which promotes independence, choice and equity. Importantly, it puts each individual in control of their care, and in control of their own future.
Occupational therapists are already delivering on the Government’s vision for everyone to lead full and active lives, to live independently and to play an active part in their local communities. Occupational therapists are working with people every day to understand their needs, helping them to carry out every daily activities, regain skills and re-engage with their communities for a fulfilling life. By enabling people to be as active as possible, they are delaying the need for longer term care, reducing health complications and care costs; and supporting people to stay in their own home, for longer.
Occupational therapists are a key part of the social care workforce - they deal with 40% of the referrals to social care yet make up only 2% of the workforce. These reforms must mark greater recognition for Occupational Therapists and their work leading reablement and prevention services across England, and further afield. The skills and expertise of occupational therapists and support workers must be at the centre of driving these proposals forward and implementing a care and support system that really meets the needs of the individual.
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