National Care Services – Lessons, risks and the future of adult social care Thu, 4 Jun

Adult social care reform is once again at the centre of the political agenda, with Baroness Louise Casey’s cross-party Social Care Commission tasked with exploring the future of social care in England and whether a National Care Service (NCS) model can offer a sustainable long-term solution.

But across the UK, different nations are already at different stages of their reform journeys. Scotland and Wales have pursued distinct approaches to national reform, while England continues to grapple with longstanding structural and financial pressures in the system.

This panel discussion, delivered in partnership with CIPFA, will bring together senior voices and expert perspectives to explore what the idea of a National Care Service means in practice and what lessons policymakers and local government can learn from progress (and pitfalls) across the UK.

The discussion will focus on the strategic choices, governance questions and financial realities that will shape whether adult social care reform delivers meaningful change, or becomes another stalled chapter in a long history of reviews and unfinished reform.

Key areas for discussion will include

What can England learn from Scotland and Wales? – Exploring how different national approaches to adult social care reform have developed, what has worked, and what challenges remain unresolved.

What is a National Care Service actually for? – Examining the underlying purpose of reform: improving outcomes, ensuring equity, strengthening accountability, or reshaping the role of the state in care delivery.

Governance and delivery: who holds responsibility? – Understanding the implications of reform for local government, public bodies, providers, and the balance between national consistency and local flexibility.

The financial reality: how do we pay for reform? – A discussion grounded in sustainability, funding models, workforce pressures, and the growing impact of adult social care on council finances.

Workforce, demand and demographic pressure – Looking at the scale of demand growth and the workforce crisis, and whether structural reform alone can deliver resilience.

Risks, unintended consequences and reform fatigue – Considering the political and operational risks of reform, including disruption to delivery, shifting responsibilities, and the challenge of sustaining long-term change.
 

Speakers

	Dr William Burns Social Care policy advisor, CIPFA
	Hamish Hamilton Chief Financial Officer, West Lothian Integrated Joint Board
	Hugh Evans Executive Director: Adults and Communities, Bristol City Council
	Camille Oung Fellow, Nuffield Trust
	Dr Jonathan Carr-West Chief Executive, LGIU

About our partner

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is a UK-based international accountancy membership and standard-setting body. We are the only such body globally dedicated to public financial management.

CIPFA believes that improving public services is the key to changing lives for the better and that good public financial management is central to achieving this ambition.