In this article, jargon might be used. For any jargon words, we have a jargon buster at the end to explain what we mean.
In 2023, Bristol City Council Adult Social Care produced a “Fair and Affordable Care” policy. The Fair and Affordable Care policy by the council tried to reduce the cost of Disability care as a result of “chronic underfunding” from the government for Adult Social Care.
However, the policy raised significant concerns with Disabled people locally and nationally. BRIL (Bristol Reclaim Independent Living) led a big campaign around this.
Alun Davies (one of our Co-Chairs at BDEF and also chair of Bristol Disability Equality Commission) was asked to independently chair a group, bringing together Disabled people organisations, Carer organisations, Bristol City Council officers and individual Disabled people.
This group was called the ‘Meeting Needs’ group, who were to work together to explore how Adult Social Care could meet the needs of the people using its services in a fair and equitable way within the legal and financial issues currently being faced by Adult Social Care in Bristol.
Our Director, Megan, was involved in this work through the Bristol Disability Equality Commission before she joined BDEF in January. However, once she joined BDEF, she made sure that BDEF was fully involved in these discussions.
The Meeting Needs group met for a year from May 2024 – May 2025 and listened to witnesses and expert advice from people all over the country on what Bristol City Council Adult Social Care could do better on this topic.
It has now produced a report which includes reflections from the group members after listening to all the advice and also recommendations the group thinks that Bristol City Council should take to improve how Adult Social Care works with what money they do have.
This report was presented to the Adult Social Care policy committee at Bristol City Council on 30th June 2025. The report was presented by:
- Alun Davies (Bristol Disability Equality Commission and BDEF)
- Mark Williams (BRIL)
- Val Stanfield (BRIL)
- Susy Giullari (Carers Support Bristol & South Gloucestershire)
- Megan Belcher (BDEF and Bristol Disability Equality Commission)
- Alex Johnston (WECIL)
Now this report has been presented, we will be waiting until councillors who sit on the policy committee have reviewed the report and officially respond to this report. This might take the form of saying they will action some of the recommendations.
You can read the full Meeting Needs report or some of the report’s supporting material.
At the moment, we are being told that this response will be in the October 2025 committee so watch this space and we will keep you updated!
Jargon buster
Adult Social Care: Covers a wide range of activities that help people who are older or are Disabled people or have physical or mental health conditions to live independently and stay well and safe.
Policy: A plan, a document, or a set of ideas in different spaces.
Chronic underfunding: This is a situation where something is receiving less money than it needs.
Chair: The person in charge of a meeting or of an organisation.
Commission: The refers to a group with a specific purpose.
Equitable: This means making sure that people end up equal to everyone else but it recognises that different people might need different things to end up in the same place.
Reflections: this is something which is a recorded serious thought or consideration.
Recommendations: a suggestion as to the best course of action.
Committee: a small group of people chosen to represent a larger organisation or group of people and either make decisions or collect information for it.
Councillors: A councillor is someone who sits on, votes in, or is a member of, a council.
