Unpaid carers invited to help shape the future of adult social care in national consultation

People in England, including unpaid carers, are being asked to share their views on the future of adult social care through the Big Conversation on Care, a national consultation led by Baroness Louise Casey.

The consultation is part of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, also known as the Casey Commission, that Baroness Casey of Blackstock is leading. The Government asked the Commission to look at how adult social care can be improved to better meet the needs of current and future generations.

What the consultation involves and how to take part

Running until April 2027, the Big Conversation gives carers, people who access care and support services, care workers and the wider public a chance to share their views on some of the biggest questions facing social care, including:
• Who should be entitled to support?
• What role should families play?
• How should care be funded fairly and sustainably?
• What should people expect from a future National Care Service?

The consultation will take place in two phases. The first phase runs until November 2026. It focuses on the values and principles that should underpin the care system and who should be eligible for support.

The second phase will explore how care should be funded and how changes to the system should be delivered.

You can learn more or take part at https://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/

Previous work as part of the Independent Commission

In March 2026, Baroness Casey called for urgent Government action on dementia, motor neurone disease (MND) and adult safeguarding. Recommendations included a new National Safeguarding Board, more investment in dementia research, and faster access to care and support for people diagnosed with MND.

Wider Government social care ambitions

The Big Conversation is part of the Government’s wider commitment to adult social care reform. On Wednesday 29th July 2026, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to create a new ministerial group to drive this work forward. The group will focus on workforce challenges, system reform and delivering the Commission’s early recommendations.

A Dementia Tsar will also be appointed later this year. They will help improve dementia prevention, treatment and care.

The Government is committed to creating a National Care Service. It will be built around prevention, helping people live independently for longer, improving links between hospitals, community services and social care, and ensuring care is centred on people’s needs.