Reading Borough Adult Social Care Strategy 2026 - 2031

Reading Borough Council (RBC) wants to hear your views on the draft Adult Social Care Strategy 2026 - 2031.

Why should you respond?

Your views will help RBC understand if the proposed priorities reflect what matters most to you and if there are any areas they should improve upon before the strategy is finalised.

How to respond?

Please click here to complete the online survey. The link will open in a new tab. Note, the survey closes on 31st August 2026.

More information about Adult Social Care

To help answer your questions, we have put together more information about Adult Social Care using simple language. Please scroll below to continue reading.

What is Adult Social Care?

Under the Care Act 2014, the council has a legal responsibility to support adults with care and support needs, promote wellbeing and independence, safeguard

people at risk of harm, and support unpaid carers. Adult Social Care is a part of the council that deals with this responsibility.

What is Adult Social Care Strategy?

A strategy is a plan of what Adult Social Care will focus on in the next five years.

What is the need for Adult Social Care Strategy?

The strategy sets out how RBC will strengthen Adult Social Care in Reading over the next five years. It also explains what support Reading Borough residents can expect.

What has RBC proposed and how it impacts you?

Through co-production groups, workshops, engagement events, feedback, performance

information and learning from their improvement programme, RBC has identified five priorities that will guide their improvement over the next five years. The excerpts below, taken from the draft strategy, explain what these priorities are and how they will impact you.

Priority 1: Carers

RBC will continue building on the Reading All-Age carers strategy by improving how carers are recognised, supported and involved in shaping the services they use.

For carers, this means you will:

• Be recognised early in the process and treated as a partner in care

• Understand what support is available and how it can be accessed

• Feel confident and connected in your caring role

• Balance your own wellbeing, work and life alongside caring

Priority 2: Partnership working

RBC will strengthen partnership relations across health, housing, community organisations and the voluntary sector to improve communication, coordination and people's experience of moving between services.

For residents, this means you will:

• Experience coordinated and consistent support

• Have a clear visibility of different services working together

• Know who is supporting you and what happens next

• Move between services easily

Priority 3: Prevention

Over the next five years, RBC will strengthen early help, community support, and partnership working so more residents can access the support they need in a timely manner.

For residents, this means you will:

• Get help early, before problems get worse

• Stay connected to local services and your community

• Maintain your health, wellbeing and confidence

• Stay safe and well at home, including through the use of technology

Priority 4: Waiting well

Waiting well is about supporting people while they wait and improving their experience during this time. Over the next five years, RBC will continue to reduce delays

where possible while ensuring people remain supported throughout their journey with Adult Social Care.

For residents, this means you will:

• Know what is happening and what to expect

• Understand how long you may wait

• Know who to contact if your situation changes

• Access help and advice while you wait

• Feel safe and supported throughout

Priority 5: Accessibility of Information and Services

Over the next five years, RBC will make it easier for people to access support, strengthen how information is provided and continue improving services based on feedback from residents, carers and communities. RBC will work to ensure everyone in Reading can access support that meets their needs.

For residents, this means you will:

• Know where to go to get help

• Understand information clearly and easily

• Access services in ways that suit your needs

• Receive clear and timely communication

Do you have a question that is not answered, need information about Adult Social Care or have an experience to share?

Please click here to have your say.

Read the full Adult Social Care Strategy draft

Please click the link below to read the full draft.

Reading Adult Social Care Strategy 2026-2031.pdf

Download PDF • 21.32MB