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“There needs to be a re-focus in mental health policy away from medicalisation and mental ill health to prevention, early intervention and mental wellness."

“The forthcoming Spending Review is an opportunity to increase investment in community care settings for people with a learning disability and/or autism, who may also have a mental health condition, and to move towards putting social care on a long-term sustainable footing."

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to a Care Quality Commission review, ‘Beyond Barriers’, into how older people move between health and adult social care services in England.

“The unequal impact of COVID-19 on people using and working in social care needs to be addressed as part of future reforms, as well as building on the importance of closer working and local approaches."

“The Spending Review and forthcoming white paper must set out how immediate and short-term pressures in social care will be addressed, involving councils, care workers and those with lived experience, if we are to build back better and develop a care and support system fit for the future.”

“Choosing care for a loved one is a major and often stressful decision - especially when they have to be made quickly – as it has health and wellbeing implications for the person who needs caring for."

Homelessness is everyone’s business, and councils need the help of health, employment, and housing partners to deliver ambitions to end it.

“Government support packages such as the temporary eviction ban and £20 Universal Credit uplift have been incredibly helpful throughout the pandemic, but with these now no longer in place, a cross-departmental plan around long-term social and financial resilience and homelessness prevention is urgently needed."

“Council housing waiting lists could nearly double as a result of COVID-19. It is vital that the government lifts the No Recourse to Public Funds condition to help prevent homelessness for the migrants who can't currently access the welfare safety net."

“Ending homelessness remains a top priority for councils."