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People who draw on care and support

This section features reflections from people who draw on care and support and from Think Local Act Personal, a national partnership of more than 50 organisations committed to transforming health and care through personalisation and community-based support. Contributors include: Anna Severwright (Social Care Future), Tricia Nicoll, Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, Caroline Waugh and Ian McCreath (Think Local Act Personal).

Care Act 10 years on banner

Contributors offer their perspectives on the extent to which the Care Act's principles of choice, control, personalisation, and dignity translate into to their daily lives. They explore areas where the Act may fall short, identify what needs to change, and envision a brighter future for adult social care.

The voices of people with lived experience are essential. Regardless of future policy changes, social care reforms must be produced collaboratively. Any incoming government will need to ensure that the voices of those who draw on care and support are centred. The LGA strongly believes in person-centred support and the key role councils play in supporting and improving people’s wellbeing. 

Anna Severwright

Anna Severwright: Co-convenor, Social Care Future

The Care Act may not be perfect, but it was widely heralded as an important step forward for social care and more importantly for disabled and older people, including myself, who draw on some form of care and support to live our lives.

Tricia Nicoll

Tricia Nicoll: Mum, daughter, survivor of the mental health system and agitator for Gloriously Ordinary Lives

When people are forced to find about social care and the Care Act because of their own situation or that of a loved one, what they learn really quickly is that social care is about a whole new language and way of doing things. One of eligibility and safeguarding, of assessed needs, the front door and reablement. Care pathways and the customer journey. One that turns your life into a neat package of service delivery.

Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE

Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE: person who draws on care and support

A decade since the Care Act 2014 received Royal Assent we find ourselves at a significant turning point, reflecting on our progress toward a compassionate, equitable society in adult social care. This era demands more than just financial enhancements; it calls for a profound transformation towards universal wellbeing and goes beyond traditional service delivery.

Caroline Waugh

Caroline Waugh: Member of the National Co-production Advisory Group and survivor of a traumatic brain injury, cancer, broken limbs and home care

I think the very best bit of the Care Act, is that it was coproduced, right from the start with the best people involved because they were in fact living and breathing the care system every day, in fact I was invited to the ‘co-creation day’, but unfortunately I had fallen and sustained a very painful 'broken' leg and because of that was experiencing a very 'broken' care system.

Highlighted pages

The Care Act 2014: Ten years on from Royal Assent

Sheffield Voice: upholding the rights of disabled people

This case study forms part of the What Good Looks Like report on people with a learning disability and autistic people. This report was produced by the Building the Right Support Advisory Group, as part of the wider action plan developed by the Building the Right Support Delivery Board. It has been supported by Partners in Care and Health.