{"id":79143,"date":"2025-12-16T16:21:33","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:21:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?p=79143"},"modified":"2026-03-13T15:55:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:55:12","slug":"shaping-the-future-of-adult-social-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/shaping-the-future-of-adult-social-care\/","title":{"rendered":"We\u2019re shaping the future of adult social care with the Casey Commission"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last week, we were delighted to welcome the Casey Commission<\/a> on Adult Social Care to Sense TouchBase Pears<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a brilliant and inspiring day. Disabled people with complex needs shared their honest hopes, fears and ideas<\/strong> about the future of social care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One member of the Commission told me afterwards that it had been \u201ca privilege\u201d to be part of the day and meet everyone. They left with a far deeper understanding of the barriers disabled people with complex needs face every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A meeting room in Sense TouchBase Pears, with tables set up in a horseshoe shape, with people sitting around a table talking to members of the Casey Commission on Adult Social Care.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the Casey Commission?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Casey Commission is a government-appointed group<\/strong> looking at adult social care. Its role is to understand what is working, what is not, and what must change to build a fairer, more sustainable system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does it matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This was a rare and powerful influencing moment \u2013 national decision-makers hearing directly<\/strong> from the people whose voices matter most; those using social care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kanhai,
Kanhai, a deafblind man and a member of Sense User Reference Group, is using sign language to talk about his experience of social care to members of the Casey Commission on Adult Social Care.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What happened on the day?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After a warm welcome, the Commission met members of our Sense User Reference Group (SURG), who spoke candidly about what good support feels like<\/strong>, what gets in the way, and what would transform their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over lunch, Keith and John, who live in our residential settings, and their support staff shared what independence means to them<\/strong> and the support that helps them thrive, while also highlighting the real pressures facing the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Sense College<\/a>, the Commission saw first-hand how students build communication, confidence and independence<\/strong> in creative, supportive spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families then spoke openly about the challenges of transitioning into adult social care<\/strong> \u2013 a stage that too often feels confusing and fragmented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Helene
Helene Ryles (right), a deafblind woman, advocate and artist, who is being supported to communicate her experiences of social care to civil servants through deafblind sign language.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All day, the warmth, honesty and expertise of the people we support shone through. Their stories gave the Commission a deeper and much richer understanding <\/strong>of life for disabled people with complex needs, insight that will help shape future government policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll now be submitting videos and written evidence to keep championing the needs of disabled people with complex needs <\/strong>in the future of social care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you again to everyone involved \u2013 watch this space!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in touch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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