Ten years of the Care Act and beyond: A range of perspectives
Published:
The Care Act 2014 was a catalyst for change across the social work sector. These videos highlight the extent to which embracing it made a difference, for those receiving care and support and those delivering it.
The Care Act 2014 was a catalyst for change across the social work sector. It paved the way for strengths-based practice, advanced adult safeguarding, and established carers as a fundamental resource.
At the 2025 Research in Practice adults Partnership Conference, we heard a diversity of professional perspectives from those who played a role in implementing that change. These videos share a few of those perspectives, highlighting the extent to which embracing the Care Act 2014 made a difference, for those receiving care and support but more so for those delivering it.
Talking points
These videos look at:
- What implementation meant for different areas, and how the intended shift from risk management towards more strengths-based approaches manifested in reality.
- The way the Care Act boosted the legal status of the Principal Social Worker role and of adult safeguarding overall.
- The aspirations for the next ten years, and the impact of technological and digital transformation.
The impact of the Care Act has been seismic
Richard Humphries, Senior Policy Advisor at the Health Foundation, discusses historic connections between the Care Act and 1940s Poor Law, and outlines the huge developments in people-focused care and much welcomed strengths-based practice.
Length: 2 minutes.
Recognition of Occupational Therapy within the Care Act
Anita Mottram, Principal Occupational Therapist and Co-Chair of the Principal Occupational Therapist Network, shares high hopes for the increasing recognition of the profession. She shares evidence that Occupational Therapy brings substantial and impressive cost saving into the system when we focus on prevention an early intervention.
Length: 3 minutes.
How the Care Act helped to establish the role of the Principal Social Worker
Tricia Pereira, Social Care Consultant and a former Co-Chair of the Adults Principal Social Worker Network, talks about the importance of a role dedicated to the enhancing the quality of social work. She comments on the way the Care Act boosted the legal status of that role and of adult safeguarding overall.
Length: 3 minutes.
Reflective questions
Consider these reflective questions to stimulate conversation and support practice.
- Which of the three perspectives resonated most with you as a practitioner?
- What has stood out for you in the last decade of delivering to the Care Act? What area of your practice has seen the most positive impact?
- Are there aspects of the Care Act that you struggle with? What is needed to support this?
- Can you influence or effect change – can you cause 'good trouble'?
You could use these questions in a reflective session or talk to a colleague. You can save your reflections and access them in the Research in Practice Your CPD area.
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - The role of social workers | Safeguarding | Direct work with individuals and families | Organisational context | Professional ethics and leadership
PCF - Professionalism | Values and ethics | Critical reflection and analysis | Contexts and organisations
RCOT - Evaluate impact | Collaborative | Identify needs