Social care is in the news in a way which we couldn’t have expected it to be a year ago. The pandemic has had a terrible impact on the lives of many people who draw on care services; and it’s highlighted the fragility of care and support services. Tens of thousands of people needing care and support, along with hundreds of social care staff and social workers, have died. So, the pressure on social care has been, and is, intense.

At the same time, there have been uplifting stories about brilliant care during the crisis, and of the enormous potential of social care to support people to live the best lives possible. We need more people to experience excellent social care.