The essential adult social care information session: understand your rights and what you are entitled to
There are 2 sessions to choose from and both will be online events.
The sessions are 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.
There is no cost to join. Choose between a FREE ticket a £10 general admission ticket or choose to make a donation.
Our Government Transparency Campaign - in a nutshell
We have been campaigning for government transparency in social care funding for 4 years now, which means there have been many stages to the journey! We now have a date for the latest hearing which will take place on the 17th, 18th and 19th November 2025.
We have summarised the legal steps that we have taken and how Government departments and the ICO have responded in this one page document. In addition we have compiled a timeline which documents every stage of the Freedom of Information requests to date. Please click on the links to download them.
Taking a Stand Against Hate
In recent months, there has been a deeply troubling surge in hate crimes and hateful rhetoric, both online and in our communities. At Access Social Care (ASC), we've felt the impact of this firsthand. Our staff members have shared that they don't always feel safe in their own neighbourhoods, and we've even had instances where racist language was used by a client on a call and in the comments on our social media channels.
‘We’d all benefit from a little government transparency”
In his article, James Kirkup argues that the UK's traditional practice of maintaining secrecy around the budget process is a fundamental mistake.
Croydon Mencap and the Casey Commission: Putting People at the Heart of Social Care
Last week we enjoyed meeting people who draw on social care, who are supported by Croydon Mencap.
We also welcomed James Mackie from the Casey Commission who was given the opportunity to meet people who are supported through social care and have direct experience of the current system.
Challenging and Appealing LAA Funding Decisions
Past Event
This free, lunchtime webinar looked at the processes and strategies for challenging decisions by the LAA, including the process, review stage, independent adjudicator stage; the time limits involved and the relevant regulations.
How the LAA responds and how to counter their position; how to prepare for the Independent Adjudicator and also possibly considering sending a Pre-action Protocol letters where appropriate.
Unlocking Accountability: A radical approach to Data
In her latest article for the MJ our CEO, Kari Gerstheimer highlights ASC's radical approach to data.
Write to your MP
As a constituent, your views and interests are a priority to your Member of Parliament. Writing to your MP is an important way to ensure that they are aware of your concerns and take action on Government Transparency on social care funding.
Access Social Care safeguards the minimum income guarantee: paving the way for £2.3 million of refunds
Southend Council is refunding £2.3 million after overcharging 586 people care due to a software error dating back to 2018. At Access Social Care, we welcome the refunds but urge councils to audit their systems and ensure people have access to independent advice to protect their benefits and rights.
Data in Social Care Series: catch up with Joining the Dots.
The inaugural "Joining the Dots" event was made possible with support from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and provided an opportunity for data experts and interested groups to come together to explore the evolving landscape of social care data. The session was kicked off by Amit Kohli, Access Social care’s Head of Data Insight.
Is your social care good enough?
We want to work with people who draw on social care and their families to trial a new service. Our legal team will conduct thorough reviews and provide expert advice on how to protect your rights, along with helping you identify and address gaps in care, to ensure you or your family member receive the best possible support. We are offering 5 free audits as part of the trial.
The State of the Nation 2025 Report
Join us for the 2025 State of the Nation webinar 'From Promise to Practice: What advice sector data tells us about adult social care in Labour's first year of government'. Register here.
Data in Social Care Series: “Social Care Data: Too Much, Not Enough? Let's Join the Dots.”
Join us online to hear from organisations working on different pieces of the social care data puzzle. From cataloguing datasets for easier discovery, building geographical products that demo data, to AI-boosted data portals that surface insights.
Our Government Transparency Survey results are in!
In April 2025 we asked the public to tell us what they thought about social care funding so we could show it to The Casey Commission into Adult Social Care.
The results are in, and it's clear you want greater Government Transparency in social care funding. So do we.
Social Care: A Time of Change
This final episode of the "State of Our Nation" podcast features a heartfelt conversation between co-hosts Kari Gerstheimer and Anna Severwright as they reflect on the series, and discuss the current challenging state of social care.
They double down on the onslaught of recent policy and financial decisions that seem to be negatively impacting people who rely on social care; discuss reactions to the newly launched Casey Commission and look forward to series 3.
Beyond the Headlines: Understanding Health & Social Care Inequalities
This episode of the State of our Nation shines a light on the critical issue of health and social care inequalities faced by Black and other minority ethnic groups in the UK.
Our guest this time is Charles Kwaku-Odoi DL MFPH, Chief Executive of the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), a leading national Black health organisation at the forefront of reducing health inequalities and wider disparities.
ACCESS DENIED! join our fight for an honest and open democracy. Take our survey today.
ACCESS DENIED! join our fight for an honest and open democracy. If you think it’s time for the government to stop keeping secrets about social care funding please take this short survey so we can pull together evidence for The Casey Commission in April. We don’t have much time so please fill it in today!
The Power of Money: Charging
Join Kari and Anna as they welcome Svetlana Kotova from Inclusion London to discuss the complexities of charging for social care.
Svetlana Kotova, Director of Campaigns and Justice is a lifelong advocate for disability rights, and shares her journey from her early years in Russia to her impactful work in the UK.
Are strengths-based assessments a "wolf in sheep's clothing?
.Are strengths-based assessments a "wolf in sheep's clothing?" They're designed to help you focus on your strengths, but in this episode, Kari and Anna ask a critical question: are they actually doing more harm than good?
Community Care Lawyers Group (CCLG) Submission to the Law Commission consultation on disabled children's social care law
In November 2024, as part of our Career Pathway work, ASC launched a Practitioners Association for Legal Aid Community Care Lawyers, the 'Community Care Lawyers Group' (CCLG). As its first activity, in January 2025 members of the group collaborated to write, in CCLG's own name, a response to the Law Commission consultation on Disabled Children's Socials Care Law…