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NICE strategic principles: a complementary approach to public health, social care and rare disease topics 

Strategic principles for social care

Strategic principles for social care

1.4 Definition

NICE recognises that social care comprises a wide range of activities delivered by a complex system of organisations and professionals. This includes areas such as social work, residential, domiciliary and rehabilitation services, safeguarding, community and family support alongside many other services. Predominantly led by local authorities, the underpinning values of social care are centred around supporting the independence, choice and autonomy of individuals, safeguarding vulnerable people from harm and developing communities that are inclusive, accessible and respect diversity. Unlike healthcare, social care is not always free at the point of access and many aspects of social care are charged for or self-funded by individuals and families.

1.5 Background

The regulations arising from the Health and Social Care Act 2012 provide NICE with a function of giving advice or guidance, providing information and making recommendations about any matter concerning or connected with the provision of social care in England. The legislation also provides that the function is only exercisable on the direction of Secretaries of State.

Evidence-based practice is becoming increasingly important within social care and, in an extremely challenged system, there is a moral imperative to use resources for maximum benefit. NICE can help to ensure social care is based on reliable evidence regarding what works. The move towards new and integrated ways of working, including the establishment of integrated care systems in England, offers new opportunities. NICE is well placed to bridge the gap between health and social care and support best practice within integrated systems of care.

1.6 Principles

NICE recognises the significant interdependence between health and social care. We are committed to supporting an equal partnership that recognises the importance of both in addressing current challenges in the health and care system. 

The following principles will be used to guide our approach to the prioritisation of social care guidance: 

  • We will seek to integrate social care in all our guidance, where appropriate, embedding a social care lens across prioritisation and subsequent guidance development. 

  • We will use the partnership working opportunities presented within integrated care systems and other models of integration to inform our approach to prioritisation. Preference will be given to the interface between health and care provision, favouring integrated outputs over standalone guidance where this is feasible, useful and usable. 

  • We will not prioritise standalone social care guidance unless there is a compelling reason to do so. For example, where there is significant new evidence emerging on a cross-system priority combined with a clear route to effective implementation. 

  • We will focus on the questions that matter most to the sector and topic areas where sufficient evidence exists to support recommendations, and there are clear routes to implementation. 

  • We will recognise that the nature of evidence within social care may be different to that available within clinical medicine. 

  • We will focus our selection of social care guidance to support implementation in practice. This will mean being explicit about our intended audience wherever possible and thinking beyond implementation in traditional health settings. 

  • We will work closely with research partners to highlight where research gaps limit evidence-based recommendations. 


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