New Report Sets Out Vision For Improving Adult Social Care Through Better Partnerships With Care Providers
My Home Life England, part of City St George’s, University of London, has today launched a major new report, ‘Improved outcomes through partnership working: A vision for social care’ which calls for a fundamental shift in how adult social care providers and statutory system bodies work together.
Drawing on a two‑year inquiry supported by the Rayne Foundation, the report brings together insights from 90 stakeholders across care, local government and health, a literature review, 11 case studies from across England and Northern Ireland, and learning from My Home Life England’s work with more than 2,600 care leaders.
The evidence concludes that when care providers are respected, valued and engaged as equal partners in the wider system, outcomes improve for everyone.
Adult-to-adult relationships: a vision for better collaboration
Despite ongoing attempts to integrate health and social care, many providers still experience significant power imbalances, feeling that decisions are imposed and their expertise overlooked. Using the lens of Transactional Analysis, the report finds that current commissioning, safeguarding, and regulatory approaches can reinforce a ‘parent–child’ dynamic, leading to frustration and disengagement.
My Home Life England is instead calling for a shift away from hierarchical relationships towards mature, trusting, adult‑to‑adult ways of working, grounded in respect, openness and shared responsibility.
11 examples of transformation
The report spotlights 11 case studies, where moving to more relational ways of working has already delivered wide-ranging impact, including:
- Better‑designed initiatives that save money
- Improved hospital discharge and reduced crises
- A more resilient and responsive care sector
This report is published amid major change in England’s health and social care system. Recent reviews including the Casey Review, the Messenger Review and Fit for the Future – The 10 Year Health Plan for England all call for culture change, stronger trust-based relationships, and genuine partnership working at local level to deliver shared outcomes and improve quality of life. Investment in leadership development for registered managers, and strengthening the role of care associations, is critical to this ambition.
Elaine Hodges, Programme Manager for South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust – one of the report case studies – said:
“Our work with Warwickshire care homes demonstrates that meaningful transformation happens when adult-to-adult relationships are at the heart of partnership working. By placing care home managers at the centre of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes programme, we shifted from problem-focused discussions to a strengths-based, collaborative approach. Their practical insight reshaped our priorities, and enabled more coordinated, responsive, person-centred care for residents.”
Sam Chater, Regional Operations Director, Runwood Homes, added:
“As professionals together we can do so much. When there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE, President of City St George’s, University of London said:
City St George’s, University of London is delighted to launch this important and relevant report, which reflects an emerging emphasis within the university on the delivery of high-quality research relating to health and social care integration. Through our My Home Life England programme, we will continue to strengthen partnerships between adult social care providers and the wider health and social care system.
