What Andy Burnham’s Social Care Speech Means for Our Sector

Today’s speech by Prime Minister Andy Burnham marks an important moment for social care.

For decades, those working across the sector have witnessed the impact of a system under increasing pressure. We’ve seen extraordinary professionals delivering life-changing support despite rising demand, workforce challenges and uncertainty about the future. We’ve also seen the difference that timely, compassionate support can make to people’s lives.

That is why it is encouraging to hear social care placed firmly at the centre of the national conversation.
The Prime Minister spoke about creating a National Care Service, raising the status of the social care workforce, protecting families from devastating care costs, strengthening the relationship between health and social care and, importantly, recognising that the system has been neglected for too long. He also announced that Baroness Louise Casey’s review will be accelerated, with a commitment to work across political parties to develop a lasting solution rather than another short-term reform.

These are ambitious commitments, and they deserve careful consideration. But regardless of how reform develops, one thing is already clear: social care is finally receiving the attention it has long deserved.
For me, the most important part of today’s discussion isn’t simply how we fund social care. It’s how we value it.

Too often, social care is only spoken about when services are under pressure or systems are reaching breaking point. We hear about waiting lists, delayed hospital discharges and workforce shortages. While these are real and pressing challenges, they are only part of the story.

Social care is about people.

It is about helping a child feel safe enough to dream about their future. It is about supporting a young person to build confidence and independence. It is about enabling adults to live fulfilling lives, strengthening families and creating communities where people feel connected, valued and able to thrive.
At Nugent, we’ve been walking alongside people for more than 145 years. Every day we see that when people receive the right support at the right time, lives change.

That is why prevention must sit at the heart of any future reform.

If we continue to focus only on responding to crisis, we will always be trying to catch up. Real transformation comes from investing earlier: supporting children and families before problems escalate, helping young people make successful transitions into adulthood, enabling adults to live independently for longer and strengthening communities so that people can access help before reaching breaking point.
This isn’t simply better for individuals. It is better for society.

The Prime Minister also spoke about recognising the contribution of the social care workforce. This is something I passionately welcome.

Every day, across the country, thousands of dedicated professionals build trusted relationships, restore confidence, advocate for people whose voices often go unheard and create opportunities for individuals to flourish. Their expertise, compassion and commitment deserve greater recognition, investment and opportunities to develop rewarding careers.

But government cannot deliver this transformation alone.

Charities, local authorities, NHS organisations, education providers, businesses and communities all have a role to play. Lasting change will only come through genuine partnership and a shared commitment to putting people first.

At Nugent, this has always been our approach.

Our vision is to ‘provide lifelong pathways of support for individuals and communities in need’. Whether supporting children, adults or families, we know that lasting change happens when organisations work together around the individual, not in isolation.

Today’s speech is not the end of the conversation; it is the beginning of what must become a national commitment to social care.

The sector has waited a long time for this moment.

Now we have an opportunity to build a system that not only responds when people need help, but one that invests in people earlier, values those who provide care and support, and recognises social care for what it truly is: an investment in stronger, healthier and more connected communities.

I hope we don’t let this opportunity pass us by.

Jo Henney
Chief Executive, Nugent