Professor Beresford outlines our current problems in social care, and argues that social care should be seen as an economic generator, not a burdensome cost.
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Full event details
Sorting Out Social Care Or Living Unhappily Ever After. The political choice we face.
Date: Monday 16 February 2015
Time: 6.00 pm to 7.45 pm
Location: Eastern Gateway Building, Brunel University London
Professor Beresford outlines our current problems in social care, and argues that social care should be seen as an economic generator, not a burdensome cost.
Our future happiness depends upon addressing our current problems with social care. In 2014 the homecare system was described as “close to crisis”, care in residential homes as “awful”, and the wages of care workers as “completely unacceptable”. Social care – the most neglected and underfunded area of government policy – in turn is undermining the beloved NHS. People increasingly see life in their older years more risky, far than a time of safety and security. Also, the UK is one of the few European countries where health and social care are separated from each other in a way that creates conflict, inefficiency and risk.
But these problems can be addressed argues Professor Beresford. Social care can and must be improved. Tackling related issues such as government funding of social care, the strains imposed on the NHS and improving the quality of life in older age, Professor Beresford argues that we should be seeing social care as an economic generator rather than a burdensome cost.
Doors open from 5:30pm, cash bar available before and after the lectures.
Brunel’s Public Lecture series of exciting talks is free and welcome to all, bringing together a variety of experts in a range of fields to discuss topical subjects and how they may affect our future.
About the Speaker
Peter Beresford OBE is Professor of Social Policy at Brunel University London, and Co-Chair of Shaping Our Lives, the national disabled people’s and service users’ organisation and network. He is also trustee of Skills For Care, the lead organisation concerned with developing the English social care workforce. Co-author of ‘Supporting people: Towards a person-centred approach’ (Bristol, Policy Press), Professor Beresford also writes regularly for the Guardian. As a long term user of mental health services, Professor Beresford is actively involved in social care and health policy, practice and services as a writer, researcher, activist and educator.
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School groups welcome - suitable particularly for Year 11 and 12 students considering studying Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Social Work.
Arrival instructions will be emailed with booking confirmation. Light refreshments will follow the lecture.