5
January 2026
Submission to the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care
The Independent Commission on Adult Social Care has invited evidence on how the current system operates and what changes are needed to deliver more effective, efficient, and person‑centred support.
In our submission, we highlighted the practical barriers that prevent services from working well together and the impact this has on adults who rely on care. Our evidence focuses on how fragmented systems, siloed approaches, and rising workforce pressures create duplication and undermine consistent, high‑quality care.
Across our work, we see that adult social care functions best when information can be shared easily, when services recognise the wider social factors shaping people’s lives, and when the workforce is stable and well supported. Yet too often, IT systems are incompatible, social approaches are overlooked, and staffing shortages disrupt continuity of care.
Our submission calls for:
- Modern, integrated digital systems to reduce duplication and support timely, joined‑up care.
- A social, holistic model of support that addresses housing, income, community connection and other determinants of wellbeing.
- Investment in workforce stability, including sustainable training routes, manageable caseloads, and clear career pathways.
Adults draw on support that crosses organisational boundaries every day. A system built around coordination, prevention, and a supported workforce is essential to delivering the care people need and deserve.