Much has happened since the last NCAS Conference in Harrogate. The Care Bill has become the Care Act, the Better Care Fund has come into its own with the work of the integration pioneers and we have seen a whole raft of initiatives launched around the provision and improvement of mental health services.
It’s been a productive and at times challenging 12 months but the preparations made at both a local and national level to deliver the reforms of the Care Act make me more confident than ever we have the resolve and unity of purpose to create a fairer and better care and support system, despite the very real financial challenges we face.
And it is confidence and resolve I strongly expect to see in evidence at this year’s NCAS in Manchester. There will be much discussion around how we can support the sector to deliver the Care Act reforms and the next steps for delivering better funding models for adult social care. I’m sure our recently published response to the regulations and guidance consultation will further galvanise conversation in this and related areas.
I’m pleased also to see sessions devoted to mental health crisis care and the pursuit of better outcomes for children and young people as they move through various life stages.
I’m looking forward in particular to co-presenting a breakfast session on the recently convened Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Taskforce (CYPMH), which I co-chair with Martin McShane, Director of Long Term Conditions at NHS England - and which met for the first time this September.
Alongside Alison O’Sullivan, vice president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), I’ll be explaining why the taskforce represents a fantastic opportunity to push for positive change in young people’s services. In my previous blog I spoke of the great responsibility I feel to bring about a fundamental shift in the service models for this historically underserved cohort. I’m also keen to hear your views. The work of the taskforce has only just begun and NCAS will be a good sounding board as we hone our focus.
But it’s not just the vulnerable young in the spotlight this year. I’ll also be speaking in the policy and innovation session: ‘A place I call home: beyond the scandal of Winterbourne View’. The abuse of adults with autism and learning disabilities, uncovered by Panorama, was rightly a catalyst for change. The simple truth is we still haven’t made enough progress to help vulnerable adults live safely and happily in their communities - and to encourage local commissioning to support this. I look forward to being part of that evolving discussion.
I’m also happy to be speaking alongside Sandie Keene (ADASS) and others to discuss outcomes-based commissioning and to launch the Commissioning for Better Outcomes framework. This is a set of standards to support local authorities to assess and improve their commissioning practices - a valuable and ongoing priority.
NCAS is always a highlight of the social care calendar. As it’s also the last major conference before the first phase of the Care Act reforms become a reality, like me I hope you will make the most of the many and varied sessions we and our sector partners are leading this year.
Follow me @RouseJonDGDH and my DH colleagues on twitter (#NCASC14) for what promises to be another engaging and rewarding NCAS.
1 comment
Comment by Valerie Dunn posted on
Thought you should see the powerful trilogy of shorts films we've made with young people in care and care leavers. Researchers, film-makers, artists and young people working together. A great team and a great privilege. Strong messages from the young people, particularly about leaving care and living in residential units.
http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/trilogy-of-short-films-explores-young-peoples-views-of-life-in-social-care.