Not my priority; how the public sees social care (and what can be done about it)
Think tank: The King’s Fund
Author(s): Simon Bottery; Dan Wellings
March 2, 2026
This report from UK think tank The King’s Fund explores why public opinion and attitudes towards social care are a key barrier to change.
Without adult social care support, a full life would be impossible for many people. It helps people carry out basic tasks such as washing, dressing and eating but also, for some people, allows them to go out in their communities, meet friends and families, or go to work. Yet, issues with access to support, quality, the workforce, local variation and market instability has led to wide acknowledgement that reform is essential.
So why has this reform not happened?
In this report we explore why public opinion and attitudes towards social care are a key barrier to change. Why is it that social care rarely figures as a key issue during elections, and why is it all too easy for politicians to duck reform and yet not be penalised at the ballot box? How can it be that satisfaction with social care is lower than any NHS service and yet there is little-to-no clamour for change from the electorate?
