Autumn brings a charge of possibility and for adult social care leaders the hope that the recent political spotlight is not allowed to fade as the nights draw in.
I read something recently about people being divided into autumn reset or new year resolution types in terms of when they feel most energised to make a renewed effort to achieve new or existing goals. I’m in the former camp. There’s something about September’s cooler air and fading light after the long quiet days of late summer that motivates me to push on with projects with fresh vigour. For leaders in the adult social care sector, whether you’re a fellow Autumn activator or not, there is something of an expectant feeling in the air following Andy Burnham’s early focus on adult social care.
However, there is also a palpable sense of trepidation too as the real business of government delivery gets underway. Factors from the macro jitters in the stock market at the prospect of increased government borrowing, and micro reminders that the sector is struggling in some cases to do the right thing such as pay their wage bills combine to paint a stark picture of the size of the challenges ahead. From achieving a Fair Pay Deal that works for all to a public and cross-party consensus on a new funding settlement for the sector, the path ahead is littered with obstacles.
Whether they’re insurmountable or not is yet to be seen but the sector and political determination to finally overcome them to reform adult social care is currently the strongest it has been for a very long time.
The challenge now is to convert that goodwill and momentum into tangible progress. Warm words about the importance of care and recognition of the workforce are welcome, but providers, investors and people drawing on services alike will ultimately judge success on outcomes rather than intent. The reality is that many organisations continue to operate in an environment where margins are wafer thin, workforce pressures remain acute and demand continues to grow. For those leaders making decisions about investment, expansion and service development, certainty is every bit as valuable as ambition.
There is, however, a window of opportunity. Questions on how to reform adult social care funding and delivery are set receive even more time in the political spotlight as Baroness Casey’s Big Conversation roadshow gets underway this autumn, keeping the dream very much alive of tackling some of the long-standing structural challenges that have too often been deferred to another spending review, another parliament or another government.
That said, expectations must be managed carefully. The issues facing the sector have accumulated over decades and the solutions will require sustained commitment, difficult decisions and genuine partnership between government, providers, local authorities and people who rely on care services every day.
As autumn begins and attention turns from rhetoric to implementation, the sector needs to hold on to that sense of September resolve: clear-eyed about the fading light, but energised by the chance to make this long-promised renewal finally count.
