Louise Casey is set to lead an independent commission to reform England’s struggling adult social care system, a daunting task ahead.
Portsmouth: Louise Casey is a well-known civil servant who has tackled tough social issues for four prime ministers. Now, she’s stepping up to chair a commission focused on adult social care.
Her job is to create a plan that can save this vital sector. It’s a big deal because millions of older and disabled folks depend on it.
Casey’s challenge is to unite everyone around a new national care service that can last for years. It’s going to be her hardest task yet.
She’s not one to shy away from tough conversations. In fact, she’s known for her straightforward approach. Once, she joked about being fed up with the phrase “evidence-based policy.”
Starting young, she became a deputy director at Shelter, a homeless charity, at just 25. By 1999, she was leading efforts to cut down the number of rough sleepers, and she did it successfully.
Over the years, she’s led various initiatives, including tackling antisocial behavior and supporting troubled families. She even served as the UK’s first victims’ commissioner.
More recently, she highlighted serious issues within the Metropolitan police, pointing out problems like racism and sexism after the tragic murder of Sarah Everard.
Now, saving adult social care is her biggest challenge yet. This sector has been struggling for decades, often overshadowed by the NHS, which also has its own issues.
Last year, experts warned that rising costs and low funding rates were putting the future of social care at risk. If things don’t change, many people could be left without the care they need.
Politicians have been slow to address these problems. While voters often support more funding for hospitals, new ideas for social care funding can be controversial and face backlash.
To tackle this, ministers hope Casey can bring everyone together. They want a national care service that can endure through different governments, just like the NHS has for decades.
After her appointment, Casey emphasized the importance of a strong adult social care system for millions of people. She sees this commission as a chance to spark a national conversation and find real solutions.
In a recent podcast, she mentioned she’d only work for Keir Starmer if it meant she could make a difference. Many are hoping she can indeed make a positive impact.
• Note: The headline was updated to clarify that Casey’s commission focuses on England only.
