What is the Casey Review and what could it mean for carers?
A major review of adult social care in England is now under way, led by Baroness Louise Casey. Officially, it is the government’s independent commission into adult social care. Phase 1 is due to report in 2026, and the final phase is due by 2028.
For unpaid carers, this matters because the review is meant to look at how adult social care works now and what needs to change. It is also meant to support the government’s plan for a National Care Service. So, while the review is wider than carers alone, its findings could shape the support carers can access in the years ahead.
For carers, the Casey Review could mean:
more consistent support across England
better links between health and social care
more focus on dementia support
stronger attention on the care workforce
a clearer long-term plan for reform
What is the Casey Review?
The commission was set up because adult social care needs long-term reform. Its terms of reference say it should build a shared understanding of the problems in the current system and make practical recommendations that can be introduced over time. It is also meant to give people who use care, and their families and carers, more power in the system.
The work is happening in two phases. First, Casey will set out medium-term recommendations and a plan for implementing a National Care Service. Then, in phase 2, she will look at longer-term reform and the future model of adult social care.
What could the Casey Review mean for carers?
One of the biggest issues for carers is inconsistency. Support can vary depending on where you live and how local services are organised. Because phase 1 is focused on a National Care Service, one possible outcome is a more consistent approach across England. That could help reduce some of the uncertainty carers face now.
The review is also looking closely at the point where health and social care meet. Its terms of reference say it should examine NHS and local authority funding at the health and care interface, including services such as intermediate care. It should also recommend changes that reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and delayed discharges. For carers, that could mean clearer support during hospital discharge and fewer gaps between services.
Dementia is another area already getting attention. In March 2026, the Health Secretary responded to Casey’s early recommendations by backing further work on dementia trials and promising an interim Dementia and Frailty Modern Service Framework in September 2026, with the full framework aimed for later in the year. For families caring for someone with dementia, that could be significant.
The care workforce also matters. The commission’s terms say its work will sit alongside wider reforms including the Employment Rights Bill and a planned Fair Pay Agreement for care workers. Better pay and conditions would not solve everything. However, they could help strengthen services and reduce some of the pressure that falls on families.
What happens next?
The next big milestone is Casey’s phase 1 report later in 2026. That should tell us more about what a National Care Service could look like in practice and what changes might happen first. Then the longer-term phase will continue through to 2028.
For carers, the stakes are high. A more joined-up and consistent system could make everyday life easier. However, the detail will matter. The real question is whether reform will make support simpler, faster and fairer for the people who rely on it most.
