New report: How better partnerships with care providers leads to better outcomes for adult social care
My Home Life England has 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.
In the report, we set out a future for social care in which care providers are respected and engaged as equal partners within the health and social care system – working alongside statutory bodies to shape, deliver and improve services, with widespread positive outcomes.
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.
The report spotlights 11 case studies, where moving to more relational ways of working has already delivered wide-ranging impact, including:
- Improved hospital discharge and reduced crises
- A more resilient and responsive care sector
- Better co-ordinated, relationship‑centred care, and improved outcomes for people drawing on care and support
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.”
Making it happen
The shift to relational partnership between the care sector and the wider system is already happening in some places. But to make it the norm, not the exception, we need deliberate cultural change across all parts of the system.
The report highlights a series of practical, relationship-focused recommendations, including:
- Embed mutually respectful, adult-to-adult dynamics as a guiding principle in system working.
- Recognise and resource the leadership of registered managers, and support future care leaders to develop a new vision for the care sector.
- Strengthen the role of local and national care associations and forums