Shared Lives South West was honoured to welcome representatives from Baroness Casey’s Independent Commission on Adult Social Care to its Devon office this week, becoming the first care organisation to host the team as part of their national review into adult social care.

The Commission, appointed by the UK Government, is undertaking a comprehensive review of the adult social care system. It aims to develop clear and actionable recommendations to ensure that the system is fit to meet both current and future needs. As part of their work, the team will be speaking to people who draw on care and support, their families, care staff, local authorities, and both public and third-sector organisations.

During their visit, the Commission met with Shared Lives South West staff, commissioning leads from Devon County Council and Cornwall Council, and Shared Lives Carers who shared first-hand insights into daily life in a Shared Lives household.

The afternoon included visits to local households where Shared Lives care takes place, offering the team a deeper understanding of the model in practice.

“We welcome the review the Casey Commission is undertaking and feel proud to be involved in this important work,” said Dominic Spayne, CEO of Shared Lives South West.

“Throughout the visit, the team gained valuable insight into how Shared Lives works, the many benefits of this unique care model, the challenges we face, and the changes we’d like to see in the sector. This review is a significant moment for adult social care, and we’ll be watching closely as the next steps unfold.”