We're challenging everyday terms that get in the way of a person-centred approach to care and support, where people are recognised as equal citizens and have choice and control over the care they draw on to live the life they want. Explore our Language Hub to learn more buff.ly/kG5dhlq

Do you believe that everyone should have the care and support they need to live well and do more of what matters to them? If so, we'd love to connect. Sign up to our mailing list to get the latest insights, updates, and practical resources, so you can stay informed and inspired: buff.ly/yvntWLn

Earlier this year we posted our 2024-2025 highlights. From co-producing ethical AI principles to shaping new leadership visions, we’ve been busy working across organisations, roles, and borders to build a more personalised, inclusive and ethical future for health and social care. buff.ly/ntBURGu

As the year draws to a close, we want to say a big thank you to everyone we’ve worked with – partners, colleagues and friends. Your commitment to choice, control and person-centred support continues to inspire us, and we’re grateful to be working alongside you. Season’s greetings from all of us.

For many people, the way health and social care works can make it hard for them to live the life they want. But change is possible. We see it when people are listened to, and when care and support is shaped around real lives, not rigid systems.

As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back. Together with our partners, we’ve kept pushing for personalised care and support that helps people live the life they choose, not the life that fits a system.

What does good care and support look like? People who draw on care and support and those who work in it came together to co-produce 86 statements that answer this question. See how you can bring Making It Real to life at www.makingitreal.org.uk #MakingItReal

Who do you follow on Bluesky for thoughtful takes on adult social care?

How can changing the way we communicate about adult social care help people truly understand it, and back the changes we all want to see? If you’ve ever wondered “How do I explain this so that people will connect with it” then these resources are for you.

Isaac Samuels OBE's share their 5 top tips for bringing lived experience into commissioning spaces buff.ly/qQ8IKW7

These are some of the questions that are encouraged with person-centred thinking in social care. We’ve brought together a pack of simple tools designed to help people take more control over their care and support, and to help others understand what really matters to them. Have a look bit.ly/4iL8QPg

There are no losers in co-production.

Reflections from Jennifer Pearl on attending NCASC show how the right care and support enables people with lived experience to contribute, share expertise, and shape the future of social care. It’s a reminder: if we value co-production, access must be built in, not an afterthought. buff.ly/KdPcgho

Our Understanding Direct Payments video series is now available for local authorities and care organisations to embed in their own e-learning platforms. 📩 Request the video files here: buff.ly/E1fndmR

The future of adult social care relies on public understanding. So how can we shifting the way we talk to build understanding and strengthen support for investment and reform? If you want to communicate about social care in a way that connects, these resources will help: bit.ly/3KINLs5

NCAG member Jennifer Pearl shares her reflections on what it really takes to be in the room, and why good care and support is the difference between being able to contribute and being excluded. buff.ly/KdPcgho

We’re sharing a short blog from Kate Sibthorp, reflecting on the life of Jim Thomas and the work they co-produced together to show what good care and support looks like for the workforce and for people who draw on care and support. buff.ly/xS2gg1v

Jim Thomas was a long-standing friend, ally, and partner, who shaped much of the work we care about today. Jim passed away on 9 November 2025, and his loss is felt deeply. He brought heart, clarity, and conviction, always reminding us that people and relationships come first.

Paula: “Because I’m disabled, I get risk assessed for things other people just go and do.” Direct Payments are supposed to mean freedom and choice. But are they perceived as too risky to champion? Join our webinar, Tue 16 Dec: 🔗 buff.ly/EcfP0ce

And that's it for another year at #NCASC25. We’re ending the week full of hope for the future of adult social care. Better lives for people who draw on care and support? Let's make it real.

We're starting day three from the big stage. Rich Amos and Kate Jopling are talking Adult Social Care Reform #NCASC25

It's the third and final day of #NCASC25 What a week it's been! Full of energy, ideas, and people who want to make things better. We're wrapping up the week with one final session: 🟣 Explore all-age neighbourhood care, closer to home, joined-up services (11:50–12:35, Solent Hall)

#NCASC25 continues, and so does our mission for real co-production to be at the heart of real change, so more people can live their life their way.

Reflecting on day 1 of #NCASC25, we’re reminded why our mission matters. Thank you to everyone who presented, took part in discussions, and shared experiences. You set the tone for a hopeful and people-focused conference. Now it’s time to take that energy and curiosity into day 2!

Day 2 #NCASC25, here we go! Today, the sessions we'll be part of are: 🟣Aligning change agendas in adult social care reform 🟣Fair Pay Agreement in adult social care 🟣Plenary session with the Minister of State for Care 🟣The shifting community vs detention threshold Full schedule 👉

Another TLAP #NCASC25 session is underway. This time on the ethics of AI in social care. Great to see so many people in the room, taking this seriously, and pushing for action. Let’s keep the focus on people’s rights, trust, and choice and control.

A full room to launch new research showing how better communication can strengthen public support for adult social care, as well as tips to help communicators put the insights and recommendations into action. Research and guidance are available here buff.ly/e7MFix1 #NCASC25

Day 1 of #NCASC25 is underway! Today we'll be: 🟣 Reframing Adult Social Care: Why stories matter 🟣 Defining well-led: Embedding ‘Making It Real’ in CQC assurance 🟣 Big Chat 2: Measuring what works in Adult Social Care 🟣 AI with ethics: Responsible use of generative AI in Adult Social Care

We're on our way to #NCASC25! You're in the right place – we'll be sharing live updates and insights from the conference.

Look out for our lovely people at #NCASC25 Across the 3 days we'll be part of co-produced sessions on storytelling, Making It Real, ethical AI, fair pay, and more. And it all goes back to one thing: Together, how can we support people to live life their way? Our schedule 👀 buff.ly/Lxc8FZS

What does it feel like when co-production lands? @coproisaac.bsky.social shares their reflections from this year’s Commissioning for the Future conference. And this year, something shifted. buff.ly/VZiQ7G0

Leadership is about more than systems — it’s about how we include others. We’ve built 3 resources to help: – Inclusive events toolkit – Jargon-free language guide – What 'well-led' means in care and support 📊 Explore more in our 2024–25 highlights → buff.ly/PNQ3YsW

Mother, carer, campaigner, friend, professional, and someone who draws on care and support, Jacqui Darlington shares what she wishes more people knew about Direct Payments. buff.ly/stKYYbk

Did you see that the Government announced the first full review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), along with a commitment to put disabled people at the heart of it? The first step in doing so, was the appointment of Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE and Sharon Brennan as co-chairs, alongside...

Have a peak into a day in the life of Jennifer Pearl, a member of the National Co-production Advisory Group, as she is out and about working in London. Thanks for sharing this video with us Jennifer and Lee!

🧩 3 new(ish!) resources to support personalisation in practice: 📘 Preparing for Adulthood 🎓 Direct Payments e-learning 💃 I Just Want to Be Able to Dance See more highlights → 🔗 buff.ly/okvhtEK #SocialCare #Personalisation #CoProduction

“Direct Payments are great – but there’s nothing to buy.” That’s what people tell us when councils tie them to supplier lists, ban ordinary purchases, or demand excessive oversight. Here are 3 tips to fix it ⬇️ Join our webinar Direct Payments: but there’s nothing to buy!? 🔗 buff.ly/EcfP0ce

Are Direct Payments helping people to live good lives? Or are we still counting hours on a spreadsheet? Rich Amos explores in his latest blog, as he shares his honest reflections on what’s working well, what isn’t, and why leadership, trust, and culture matter just as much as policy buff.ly/uOM9XqF

Yesterday in Parliament I met Jennifer from Think Local Act Personal to discuss digital exclusion at the Mind the Gap event. We explored why inclusive design matters and how co-producing with people who draw on care is vital to tackle barriers early.

We had a great time at the Mind the Gap event, hosted by @centreforcare.bsky.social & Steve Darling MP. The Mind the Gap board game is a clever way to explore the barriers people face to accessing digital services. Social care can thrive in a digital world, but only if we bring everyone with us.

For Direct Payments to work as intended, we need to start asking the right questions. It really comes down to one thing — is the support helping people live good lives? That shift in thinking changes everything. Rich Amos discusses this, and more, in his latest blog buff.ly/uOM9XqF

Sometimes, in the middle of a busy day, there is value in pausing to read something that might reconnect you to why you do what you do. This blog from Isaac Samuels OBE is one of those reads. And it might just give you a moment of perspective and hope. Read it here buff.ly/jb8s4VK

Ahead of our webinar on "Direct Payments and the care and support market", Kate talks about the experience of trying to find things for her daughter, Maddy, to do with her personal budget. Join the webinar on Tue 25 Nov. Link: buff.ly/XPq3Qpf

🧠 3 ways to keep innovation in care ethical and human 🚫 Not just about gadgets. ✅ Start with values, inclusion, and what really matters to people. 📊 From AI to data to workforce leadership, our latest carousel shares lessons we’ve learned this year. 🔗 Reports + highlights: buff.ly/okvhtEK

💥 3 big questions that we'll be discussing at our next Direct Payments webinar on 25th November 💥 This time: "Direct Payments – but there's nothing to buy!" Book your place at buff.ly/AyJ3Wtc

Yesterday @coproisaac.bsky.social collected their OBE. Congratulations, Isaac! Isaac reminds us that this honour isn't just about personal achievement, as they share this recognition with people with multiple disadvantages and lived experiences of injustice. Read their reflections bit.ly/3LaUr25

WEBINAR | TOMORROW: Making Direct Payments work with finite resources 🗓️ 28 Oct 🕰️ 12:30–1:30 🎟️ Free – open to all 🔗 buff.ly/PtXVzIC #DirectPayments #SocialCare #ChoiceAndControl

It’s a simple wish, but it speaks volumes. It says everything about what good dementia care and support should be about: enabling people to keep doing the things that make life worth living. We looked more closely at the importance of wellbeing for people living with dementia. 👇 buff.ly/dHbF9LK

If we want genuine change, we must make it the norm that people with lived experience are present, heard, and valued in every conversation. Are you making sure the right voices are in the room? Here's is some practical support to get you started. 🟣 buff.ly/oGVINIR 🟣 buff.ly/amhIAxz

Keep on banging that drum, Caroline – it needs to be heard! | Read Caroline's full blog on creative support planning and Direct Payments, here: buff.ly/sE60o7G