A committee of MPs has launched an inquiry into the future of social care services, following the publication of the government’s care and support green paper.
The health select committee will examine possible options for funding services for disabled and older people, as well as looking at how to personalise social care and ensure services are “more effective, consistent and user-friendly”.
The green paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together, outlines plans for a “National Care Service” that would provide a “fairer, simple and affordable” system of care and support for disabled adults and older people in England, with minimum entitlements for everyone eligible for services.
It lays out a series of guarantees, including allowing people with care and support needs to move from one council area to another without having to be reassessed or restart an application for services.
But serious questions remain over the future of some disability benefits, the eligibility threshold for care and support, and charging for services.
The select committee has called for written evidence from organisations and individuals, with a deadline of 1 October.
The first evidence session will take place in the autumn.
For more details, visit: www.parliament.uk/healthcom
21 July 2009
UN debate will be reminder of true inclusive education