Look Ahead CEO gives evidence at Casey Commission on adult social care

Chris joined other sector leaders and practitioners from across social care to discuss real-life case studies that shed light on both the successes and ongoing challenges within social care.

During the session, Chris emphasised that supported housing has changed over the past decade. He explained how it used to primarily function as a preventative service to support people with low acuity needs but has since become an increasingly vital contributor to public services today, supporting people with complex needs related to homelessness, domestic abuse and mental health, as well as people with a learning disability and autistic people.

He highlighted the sector’s crucial role in easing pressure on the NHS by reducing hospital admissions and delayed discharges, and noted that high-needs supported housing is about half the cost of NHS inpatient care.

He also argued that housing should be recognised as a key determinant of health and fully integrated with social care as part of local health services.

After giving evidence, Chris said: “Supported housing is no longer just a preventative service—it’s a lifeline for people with complex needs. By integrating housing with social care, we can not only improve lives but also relieve pressure on the NHS and deliver better value for the public purse.”

Chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, the Commission aims to deliver phased, pragmatic recommendations by 2026, with a longer-term vision for social care transformation expected by 2028.

The Commission’s findings are expected to shape the future of adult social care, with the potential to improve outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in society.