David’s story highlights a wider issue within adult social care: what happens when people who need care and support are unable to access the right housing and support to live the lives they choose?

Full BBC Article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy731xpjmrdo

Writing in The Carer, Kari Gerstheimer argues that social care cannot be reduced to systems, paperwork and processes while losing sight of the person at the centre of every decision.

With a new Prime Minister pledging to invest political capital in social care reform and the Casey Commission's National Conversation closer, there is growing optimism that England has a genuine opportunity to rethink its approach to social care.

To help our partners, supporters and the wider social care community stay informed, we've launched the AccessAva newsletter. It will provide regular updates on new product features, user stories, research, partnerships and the impact AccessAva is having across England.

Writing in The Carer (Issue 293), Kari Gerstheimer argues that social care reform has been treated like an architect's plan that's all blueprint and no building — endlessly discussed while people who need care right now are left waiting at the door.

Join Courtney as she shares what it’s like to work as an Advice Coordinator on secondment at Inclusion Gloucestershire. Drawing on both her professional background and life as an autistic person, Courtney explains how she supports people to understand their social care rights and access the support they need through AccessAva.

From researching the Care Act and delivering autism-focused training to responding to social care enquiries and working alongside advocacy colleagues, Courtney reflects on the variety of her role and the satisfaction of helping people build confidence in navigating the social care system.

The legal framework for determining whether someone is deprived of their liberty has recently undergone a major transformation. On 2 June 2026, a landmark Supreme Court judgment overturned the long-standing 2014 "Cheshire West" ruling, which developed the well-known ‘acid test’ practitioners previously needed to work to.  

In her recent article for LabourList, Access Social Care CEO Kari Gerstheimer argues that the debate around immigration and social care cannot ignore the reality of the workforce crisis facing the sector.

A member organisation contacted Access Social Care for general guidance regarding a person they support, who had been hospitalised following a significant deterioration in their wellbeing.

"Until we stop measuring success by how many people we can exclude, we'll never build the system people deserve."

Our CEO and Founder, Kari Gerstheimer has written a piece for Politics.co.uk in response to Andy Burnham’s recent comments on social care funding.

Carers Week 08-14 June

Join Sally as she shares what it’s like to work as an Administration Assistant at Access Social Care. Balancing work alongside caring responsibilities for both her mam and her son, Sally reflects on her journey as a working carer and how flexible working has enabled her to continue doing meaningful work while supporting her family.

From managing the busy day-to-day demands of the Business Support Team to helping systems and processes run smoothly across the organisation, Sally explains why variety, teamwork and flexibility are such important parts of her role.

The UK Supreme Court’s decision to abolish the 'acid test' marks a profound shift in how deprivation of liberty is determined. By replacing a clear, non-subjective standard with a multi-factorial approach based on 'relative normality' and subjective expressions of contentment, this ruling introduces significant ambiguity into the social care sector.

Our client, a disabled person with significant longstanding care and support needs, faced an urgent reduction in his care package from 24 hour support to just 4 hours per day.

Our long-running legal and policy campaign for Government Transparency in adult social care funding continues, and while progress can sometimes feel slow, it we are gaining momentum. Alongside the legal work, there is a growing effort to bring these issues into the public conversation, including through engagement with the media who are showing interest in this important case.

Join Chelsey as she shares what it’s like to work as a People Advisor at Access Social Care. From supporting managers and employees to handling recruitment, onboarding and employee relations, she reflects on her journey into HR and what inspired her to pursue a career in mission-driven organisations. Drawing from her own personal experience of the social care system, Chelsey explains why Access Social Care’s mission resonates so strongly with her and how being able to make a positive difference to people’s everyday working lives is the most rewarding part of her role.

Join us for a practical information session designed to give you the essential knowledge you need to better understand and navigate the adult social care system.

This session is intended for individuals who draw on social care services, or who support a friend or family member who does. It is not suitable for professionals working in the sector.

Over the course of State of the Nation: Global Perspectives, we have travelled across countries, systems, and ideas to explore one central question: how can we build a social care system that works for the world we live in today?

Join Marlene as she shares what it’s like to begin her legal career as a Paralegal at Access Social Care. From drafting letters and conducting legal research to supporting casework and client communication, she reflects on her journey into community care law, what inspired her to pursue this path, and how even the smallest tasks can make a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives.

In the final episode of State of the Nation: Global Perspectives, Kari Gerstheimer is joined by Adelina Comas-Herrera, a leading expert in international long-term care systems, to reflect on the lessons emerging from across the series.

In Episode 8 of State of Our Nation: Global Perspectives, Kari Gerstheimer is joined by Dr Sam Bennett, Disability Programme Director at the Grattan Institute and former senior leader at the National Disability Insurance Agency. With experience spanning both the UK and Australia, Sam brings a rare combination of policy insight and frontline understanding.