Blackburn with Darwen residents asked to have their say on the future of adult social care

Thousands of people in Blackburn with Darwen rely on adult social care, and residents are being urged to take part in a national consultation on how the system should change.

The Casey Commission’s Big Conversation on Care closes on Sunday 20 September and is asking people across England: “When we’re old, disabled or seriously ill, who should support us and how?”

The council says adult social care already supports more than 2,600 people in the borough with care packages, helping older people, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to live independently and safely. It also says more than 13,000 unpaid carers across Blackburn with Darwen give their time every day to look after a family member or friend.

In 2025/26, Blackburn with Darwen Council spent £79.4m on adult social care, around 45% of its entire budget. The council says demand is likely to rise, with the number of over-65s in the borough having grown by more than 20% since the 2011 Census.

Jackie Floyd, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “As a former nurse, I’ve provided care to many residents across the borough, and I’ve seen first-hand the variety of support and services people need at different stages of their adult lives.

“Adult social care will touch all of us at some point, whether that’s through using care services ourselves, caring for a loved one, working in the sector, or simply having a view on how care should be delivered.

“We’re proud of the support we provide here in Blackburn with Darwen, and this is a real opportunity to make it even stronger. The more people who join the conversation, whether by sharing their own thoughts or voting on others’, the better the picture we’ll have of what matters most to people.

“I encourage everyone in Blackburn with Darwen to take this opportunity and share their thoughts on adult social care. Not just for themselves but for everyone they care about.”

Residents can register online, share their thoughts in 140 words and vote on ideas and suggestions already submitted. To take part, visit caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/take-part.

The Big Conversation on Care is being run by the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, led by Baroness Louise Casey, and is being delivered with Ipsos.