Policy watch: accessing a reformed care and support system
| Date | 16 August 2013 |
| Published date | 16 August 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2013-0012 |
| Pages | 118-121 |
| Author | Sophie Corlett |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
Policy watch: accessing a reformed care
and support system
Sophie Corlett
Sophie Corlett is Director of
External Relations at Mind,
London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The Policy Watch series reflects on recent and forthcoming developments in mental health
policy across the UK. This paper aims to review the potential impact of forthcoming developments in social
care policy on the ability of people with mental health problems to access social care. These developments
include the Care and Support Bill and accompanying regulations.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews and summarises recent developments in national
mental health and social care policy in England and their implications for people with mental health problems
seeking to access social care services.
Findings – The paper outlines the barriers faced by people with mental health problems accessing social
care, the steps that upcoming policy developments may take to address this and the further progress that is
needed.
Originality/value – The paper updates on forthcoming social care policy initiatives and includes new
evidence from people with direct experience of using social care services to manage a mental
health problem.
Keywords Mental health policy, Social care policy, Care and Support Bill, Mental illness, United Kingdom
Paper type Viewpoint
Care and Support Bill
As I write, our system of care and support is on the brink of major reform. By the time this paper
is published the Care and Support Bill will be passing through Parliament, taking us a step
closer to developments that aim to make social care more consistent, personal and
preventative across England. There are some fantastic examples of social care interventions
and I would love to see these reaching everyone who needs them.
However, sadly many people with mental health problems will be entirely unaware of these
changes as they remain firmly on the outside of the system. Through a combination of lack
of awareness, barriers to assessments, a failure of the system to accurately assess their needs
and high eligibility thresholds, many people are unable to access the care and support that
they need and, as a result, are struggling to manage day-to-day. People with mental health
problems are disproportionately affected as their needs are often hidden or fluctuating, and
so harder to assess and more easily overlooked.
So what are the current barriers to accessing support and how far will the proposed legislation
go to help overcome these?
Barriers to assessment
There is still a common perception that social care is for older people and a lack of
understanding about what care and support services for mental health actually look like. If social
care is to be the truly preventative service that the new Bill intends it to be, it is important that
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VOL. 17 NO. 3 2013, pp. 118-121, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 DOI 10.1108/MHSI-04-2013-0012
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