27/10/2021
The Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care has today launched a consultation on a set of values, informed by Christian theology and ethics, that it thinks should underpin a vision for care and support in England. As well as consulting on the proposed values, the Commission is also asking for people’s views of what is good and what is difficult, challenging or missing about care and support currently.
The Commission on Reimagining Care has been charged by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to develop a radical and inspiring long-term vision for care and support in England, underpinned by a renewed set of values and principles, drawing on Christian theology and ethics. The focus of the Commission is on adults with disabilities and those with care and support needs in later life. The Commission began work in June 2021 and is due to publish a final report in September 2022.
Today, the Commission is publishing a draft set of values which draw on Christian theology and ethics. The Commission believes these should underpin any future vision for care and support in England. The Commission is inviting feedback on these values as part of a wider Listening and Engagement exercise. The values include concepts that are not usually heard in policy discussions about care such as flourishing, loving kindness, empathy, trust and justice. A full list of proposed values can be accessed on the Commission website.
Today marks the start of a formal period of Listening and Engagement which will run until Friday 10 December. The Commission wants to hear from a wide range of individuals and organisations and ensure that its work is shaped by the views and voices of people and organisations who have experience of care and care giving. They are calling for contributions from:
- those who draw on formal services
- unpaid carers, and the relatives and friends of those who draw on care and support
- those who work in the care sector and the voluntary and community sector
- churches of all denominations and other faith communities
- those who commission, provide and regulate formal services
- community groups and people who provide informal support
The consultation launched today aims to gather views about the challenges experienced by those currently drawing on care and support and those who work in the sector. They are also interested in identifying examples of good practice. The Commission is particularly interested in the role that communities play in supporting people with disability and in later life to live well, in particular the role of church and other faith communities. The Commission hopes to generate information, insights and ideas through the Listening and Engagement Exercise that can inform the work of the Commission and contribute to the findings of a report to be published in September 2022.
Commenting on the Listening and Engagement exercise, the Commission Chair, Dr Anna Dixon MBE said:
“The early focus of the Commission has been on understanding the principles that have informed past reports and policies on social care and reflecting on what Christian theology and ethics have to say about the values that should underpin care and support. Our draft values are not the language of policymakers or indeed professionals, but we hope that these resonate with those who draw on care, their family and friends, and those who provide care.
As we continue our work to develop an inspiring vision of care we want to get some new and different perspectives, people from all walks of life, people from different faith backgrounds and those with no faith. The Listening and Engagement exercise we are launching is an essential stage of our work. We want to hear about where care and support is working well, but also the honest stories of where things need to change. We want to gather ideas to help shape a reimagined future of care and support, not just a reformed statutory care system, but wider changes that will enable people with disability and in later life to live a full life.”
The Rt Revd. James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle, and Co-Chair of the Commission added:
“The insights, thoughts and examples that we receive in response to this listening and engagement exercise will be vital for our work over the coming months. We look forward to taking the insights, ideas and experiences gathered, and going out into communities to listen and learn in greater depth from the people and groups who respond to us.”
About the Listening and Engagement Exercise and Consultation
The evidence gathering starts today and finishes on Friday 10 December 2021. There is online form here, or it can be downloaded and sent to:
Call for Evidence – Secretariat
Reimagining Care Commission
Lambeth Palace
London SE1 7JU