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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
- 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.
Background
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
Proposed
Response
- 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.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- 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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