Have Your Say on the Future of Adult Social Care

West Berkshire Council, our local authority, has launched a six-week consultation on the future of Adult Social Care, and residents, carers, families, and people with lived experience are being encouraged to take part.

Adult Social Care supports many people across our communities, including older residents, disabled people, unpaid carers, and young people moving into adult services. The new strategy sets out six priorities that will help shape how support is delivered in the future.

The priorities include:

• Improving the quality and timeliness of support

• Helping young people transition smoothly into adulthood

• Using technology to support independence

• Working more closely with NHS and community partners

• Making sure support is available locally and meets different needs

• Designing services alongside local people and carers

  
  

At Healthwatch West Berkshire, we know how important it is that people’s real experiences help shape services. Consultations like this are an opportunity for residents to share what is working well, what could improve, and what matters most to them and their families.

One of the key themes within the strategy is co-production — working together with local people to design services. This is something we strongly support, and we encourage anyone with experience of Adult Social Care, whether personally or through caring for someone else, to take part.

The consultation is open for six weeks, and feedback gathered will help inform future decisions about Adult Social Care services and support across the area.

You can take part via the following link, www.westberks.gov.uk/draft-adult-social-care-strategy, and share your views before the consultation closes.