This blog has been written by Matthew Spencer, Secretariat, Adult Social Care All Party Parliamentary Group (Key Partner for Care Home Open Week).
One of the requests that we hear most frequently from the care sector is that politicians experience firsthand the impact that their policy decisions have on the delivery of care and support. In response to this request, Championing Social Care has partnered with the Adult Social Care All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to organise MP visits to care settings in their local constituencies as part of Care Home Open Week 2023.
The Adult Social Care APPG is a cross-party group of MPs and Peers that are passionate about supporting the delivery of care and support in this country. They work closely with providers, carers and those who draw on care and support to set a positive vision for the future of the sector. Last year, over 100 members of parliament visited care settings as part of Care Home Open Week including then Minister for Care Gillian Keegan MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting MP.
In collaborating with the APPG, Championing Social Care is convinced these local visits are crucial in communicating the value of the social care sector to local representatives, as well as the challenges that it faces. These visits also provide a forum for those who draw on care and support to question their elected representatives on particular issues and to bring local and national causes to their attention.
Speaking about the APPG’s involvement in Care Home Open Week, Co-Chair Damian Green MP said that “visits to care settings in local constituencies are crucial if MPs are to appreciate the incredible work that carers do on a daily basis. No two constituencies will be the same when it comes to their local care system and it is vital that MPs experience this diversity of care firsthand if they are to advocate effectively on behalf of carers and those who draw on care and support in Parliament.”
