Social care vision must clarify public confusion

Dalia Ben-Galim, IPPRAssociate Director, said:

'Our research shows that there is public confusion about existing provision and a substantial gap between the public's expectations and social care realities. If the government genuinely aims to 'shift power from the state to the citizen' it urgently needs to address this disconnect before it can seek to fundamentally reform the social contract between the state and its citizens.'

The following themes emerged from the opinion polling in the report:

• Reluctance towards greater family responsibility for funding and providing care. There does not seem to be widespread support for the role of families in care to become more extensive or compulsory. Most (52 per cent) feel they should not be compelled to pay for relatives' care.
• Reluctance towards relying on the family for care. Nearly half (45 per cent) of people would prefer professional staff, not family members to provide their own care.
• Misconceptions about social care funding. There is also confusion and uncertainty about how these services are funded at present, and the degree of individual contribution involved. Only 46 per cent of people were aware that care provision is means-tested.
• Lack of preparation and planning for care needs. These misconceptions around funding suggest that many are in a weak position to plan or prepare for their future care needs. Indeed, only a minority (22 per cent) are taking any specific steps to provide for or fund their own care.
• Large proportions across age groups either have not considered this issue or feel unable to make any such plans.
• Views on the principles for future care and support for a more collective, universal system. Overall, the means-testing approach to funding care seems to have little support with only 19 per cent of people in favour. In principle, free services based on need are preferred and, while significant numbers do feel there should be individual contributions alongside state funding, the current system is not felt to strike the right balance.
• Space for change: a strong desire for more information and debate on the future of social care. The majority (69 per cent) do not feel well enough informed about these services and the financial implications they have for them and their family. People want to know more about these issues and are keen for a wider debate on the future of social care.

Notes to editors

Download IPPR's2009 report Expectations & Aspirations: Public attitudes towards social care.

Contact

Tim Finch, Director of Communications: 020 7470 6110 / 07595 920 899 / t.finch@ippr.org