Rethinking social care and support: What can England learn from other countries?

This Viewpoint draws on the experiences of other countries and sets out a number of principles that should underpin reform of care and support arrangements in England. The authors argue that: * Responsibility for funding and providing social care is a collective, welfare state responsibility rather than an individual, private responsibility. * Social care arrangements in many other countries are founded on principles of universality - those who are not poor as well as those who are poor are eligible. * Equity - between people with similar levels of disability and regardless of where they live - is a key feature of arrangements for funding and providing social care in other countries. * Reforming social care requires changes in the relationships and responsibilities of local government, the English and UK governments. * Ensuring choice for people needing social care support involves the provision of services as well as cash. * Support for family care-giving is an integral part of overall social care policy, however, eligibility for collectively provided social care should not depend on whether or not a carer is available.