NCASC 2024: Highlights and reflections on the future of social care and SEND

The National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) 2024 in Liverpool brought together over 1,000 professionals to discuss transformative approaches in social care and education. This year’s theme centred around prevention, innovation, and the vital role of community-based care in delivering better outcomes for individuals and families. Below are the key insights and highlights from the conference, framed through Imosphere’s commitment to empowering local authorities and professionals in Adult Social Care (ASC) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Prevention as a national priority

Several sessions stressed the importance of proactive prevention in social care. Research highlighted that every £1 invested in prevention returns £3.17, with examples of innovative approaches like identifying at-risk carers early or leveraging data for targeted interventions.

Imosphere is at the forefront of this shift with tools that enable early intervention and prevention. The Preventative Strengths and Needs Assessment (P-SANA) and Building Independence & Strengths Assessment (BISA) facilitate comprehensive assessments that reduce crisis interventions, saving resources and improving outcomes.

Transforming assessments through innovation

One of the most impactful talks emphasised a shift from procedural assessments to strengths-based, relational practices under the Care Act. A standout story came from Amanda, an unpaid carer whose experience underscored the therapeutic value of thoughtful and creative assessments. Her direct payment, enabling her to pursue guitar lessons, exemplified the transformative power of innovative thinking in enabling carers and cared-for individuals to lead “gloriously ordinary lives”.

Imosphere’s tools, such as the Strengths and Needs Assessment (SANA) and Carer’s SANA, align with these principles by providing frameworks that support holistic, relational approaches to care planning. These tools empower social workers to deliver tailored, person-centred solutions that improve citizen outcomes and proactively support carers.

Reducing waiting lists and enhancing transparency

A project in the East Midlands highlighted the benefits of co-producing solutions with citizens and professionals to reduce waiting lists. Through initiatives like asset mapping and regional guidance, the waiting lists in Leicestershire dropped from 1,500 to 600, focusing not just on numbers but on the experience of those waiting.

Imosphere’s self-assessment tools are designed to streamline processes, improve transparency, and empower citizens with real-time information about timelines and resources. These tools help local authorities manage demand efficiently while ensuring citizens remain informed and engaged.

Leveraging direct payments for self-directed support

Simon Williams’ session addressed the gap between aspirations and reality in using direct payments to enable self-directed support. Examples included innovative plans that reduced costs while focusing on meaningful outcomes for individuals.

Imosphere’s Formulate tool supports this by ensuring budget allocations are accurate and equitable, allowing citizens to design flexible, outcome-focused plans that align with their needs and goals.

SEND innovation and community inclusion

For SEND, the conference spotlighted the importance of inclusive, community-based approaches to education and care. Andy Smith’s keynote detailed how COVID-19 exacerbated mental health issues and widened educational and social inequalities for children with SEND. Rising school exclusions, delays in developmental milestones, and entrenched family challenges underscore the need for tailored, community-driven solutions. These insights align with Imosphere’s commitment to strengths-based tools, like the Building Independence & Strengths Assessment (BISA), that empower professionals to proactively support young people and their families.

Inclusive education and mental health support

Workshops and plenaries at the conference tackled inclusive education, emphasising the role of early intervention and community-based services. The Department for Education introduced Families First for Children Pathfinders, aimed at enhancing early help systems. Mental health resources were also a significant focus, particularly for adolescents, where delays in assessments and treatment plans were highlighted as barriers to thriving.

Prevention paradigm: A shift towards proactive support

The conference outlined a significant shift in approach towards supporting autistic individiuals, moving from a reactive treatment model to a proactive prevention paradigm. This paradigm emphasises early intervention and providing the right support to prevent crises and improve outcomes.

Key aspects of the prevention paradigm include:

• Early identification and intervention: Recognising the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, the notes highlight the need for accessible and timely assessments.

• Person-centred support: Emphasising the unique needs of each individual, the prevention paradigm promotes person-centred support plans that address specific challenges and strengths.

• Community-based support: Fostering community inclusion and support is crucial for autistic people. The notes emphasise the importance of creating inclusive environments and providing community-based services.

• Mental health support: Addressing the high prevalence of mental health challenges among autistic people, the prevention paradigm calls for early intervention and ongoing mental health support.

• Employment support: The notes highlight the need for specialised employment support services to help autistic people find and maintain meaningful employment.

By adopting a prevention paradigm, we can significantly improve the quality of life for autistic people and reduce the burden on individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Looking ahead

NCASC 2024 showcased the need for bold leadership, collaborative innovation, and practical solutions in the face of financial pressures and growing demand. Imosphere is proud to partner with local authorities and professionals, offering tools that drive efficiency, improve transparency, and transform lives.

As we move into 2025, the call to action is clear across social care and SEND challenges: leverage technology, data, and community insights to build a future-ready system of care and education. Together, we can continue to achieve impactful, meaningful change.