Meeting documents

Cabinet
Tuesday, 19 July 2005

CA190705-10

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ITEM CA10

CABINET - 19 JULY 2005

GREEN PAPER ON ADULT SOCIAL CARE: ‘INDEPENDENCE, WELL-BEING AND CHOICE’

Report by Director for Social & Health Care

Introduction

  1. In March 2005, the Government published a Green Paper "Independence, Well Being and Choice". It contained proposals on the future direction of social care for adults. The executive summary from the Green Paper is reproduced herewith. This report includes a response on behalf of the County Council to the proposals which the Cabinet is invited to consider. The agreed response will be forwarded to the Secretary of State for Health.
  2. Background

  3. There has been no major overarching piece of legislation affecting adults needing social care since the Health and Community Care Act 1993. Indeed, much of the way services are organised and provided still owes a great deal to the National Assistance Act 1948.
  4. The Green Paper suggests it is time for a change. The arrangements which were appropriate to society in 1948, may no longer be appropriate. Greater population movement, many more older people living longer, the availability of occupational pensions, better education, an increased prevalence of owner-occupation, improved medical services and higher expectations of public services are just some of the features which characterise society in the early years of the 21st century compared with 1948.
  5. Recent changes elsewhere in public services have made it imperative the Government considers the future of adult social care services. The Children Act 2004, which deals mainly with Councils’ functions as Children’s Services Authority, is an obvious example. However, the Government White Paper "Choosing Health" (November 2004), and initiatives such as "Choose and Book", Long Term Condition Management and Practice-Based Commissioning emphasise choice for patients and the wish to prevent the need for expensive medical services. To be effective, the Government now needs to align Council services along similar lines.

    (Green Paper on Adult Social Care - download as .pdf file)
  6. Proposed Response

  7. This is set out in Annex 1 (download as .doc file). Annex 2 (download as .doc file) contains comments on the proposed role of the Director of Adult Social Services, which is the subject of a concurrent Department of Health consultation.
  8. RECOMMENDATIONS

  9. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED, subject to any changes it may think necessary, to agree the proposed response to the Secretary of State for Health on the Government’s Green Paper.

CHARLES WADDICOR
Director for Social & Health Care

Background papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Charles Waddicor, Director for Social & Health Care Tel: 01865 816041

July 2005

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