York residents asked to help shape the future of national care

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-08-21 10:25 2 min read

A narrow historic street in York with traditional brick buildings and local storefronts.

York residents are being encouraged to share their personal experiences of adult social care as part of a new national consultation. The ‘Big Conversation on Care,’ launched by Baroness Casey of Blackstock, seeks to gather public input to help design a sustainable, long-term framework for how care is delivered and funded across England.

The initiative aims to break the cycle of short-term reviews and crisis management that has historically defined the sector. By engaging directly with those who receive care, provide unpaid support, or work within the industry, the commission hopes to build the necessary public consensus for lasting reform.

The essentials of the consultation

The commission is seeking honest feedback on several difficult trade-offs that are required to create a stable system. The consultation asks participants to consider fundamental questions, including:

Focus Area	Key Consideration
Scope	Who should a National Care Service support?
Responsibility	What should families be reasonably expected to do?
Funding	How should the country pay for care in a fair and sustainable way?

For many in York, these questions are not theoretical; they represent the daily realities of managing health, disability, and long-term support needs. City of York Council leadership has emphasized that local residents are well-positioned to contribute to this process, noting that the national dialogue is a vital opportunity to ensure local perspectives are represented at the highest level of policy development.

Local impact and participation

Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, stated that the conversation provides a direct role for residents in shaping the future of adult social care. This is particularly relevant as the council is currently undertaking its own internal efforts to improve social care services for local residents. Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, added that everyone in York—regardless of their specific connection to the sector—can contribute by engaging with the difficult questions that must be answered to achieve reform.

Participation is open to all members of the public. Those interested in contributing can submit their views via the official Casey Commission portal.

Timeline and next steps

The national conversation is scheduled to run until April 2027. Following the collection of public feedback, the Independent Commission will synthesize the findings and publish a set of formal recommendations in the summer of 2027. This timeline provides a significant window for residents to ensure their priorities are heard before any formal reform proposals are finalized.

Source: City of York Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified Council Notice

This report is based on the official public notice issued by the City of York Council regarding the national 'Big Conversation on Care' consultation.

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