By Scott Watkin BEM, Head of Engagement at SeeAbility 

Today the Prime Minister set out his vision for the future of social care. He spoke with genuine passion about the need for change, the pressures facing the sector and his personal experiences of seeing social care support his family. He also announced plans to bring forward Baroness Casey's review, focus on the workforce and begin cross-party talks on reform – all of which I welcome. 

Today’s speech was an important step forward. The focus now needs to turn to how these ambitions are translated into meaningful change. 

People who rely on social care have been sharing their experiences for years. People with disabilities, families, carers and charities all have valuable insights into what works, what doesn't and what needs to change.  

Today’s announcement provides an important opportunity to build on those experiences, ensuring that the voices of people with learning disabilities, autism and sight loss help shape the future of social care. By working together, we can create a social care system that is more responsive, inclusive, and better equipped to meet people’s needs. 

As plans for reform take shape, there are important questions to answer about how the system will be funded, how social care and the NHS will work together and, most importantly, how people who depend on support will help shape the future of the services they use. 

For many of the people SeeAbility supports, social care is all-encompassing. It’s about having a home, finding work, making and maintaining relationships, accessing healthcare and fulfilling their goals. Social care should empower people to live the lives they choose. 

As this conversation moves forward, we must make sure that people with learning disabilities, people with autism, and people with sight loss are not forgotten. 

The Prime Minister has set out an important vision for the future of social care. The next step is making sure it is shaped by the people who rely on that support. We welcome the opportunity to work together to build a social care system which truly serves the people who rely on it.