Key messages

Policy implications

Gaps

Commentary
This review highlights persistent gaps in understanding social care needs among people leaving prison. The lack of reliable data on how many individuals require support, and what that support looks like, limits the ability of systems to plan and commission services equitably at a critical transition point.

The available evidence is largely descriptive, offering limited insight into whether existing approaches improve outcomes. From an equity perspective, this makes it difficult to know which interventions reduce disadvantage and which risk reproducing gaps in access and experience.

Several initiatives, including pre-release skills training and buddy schemes, suggest potential for more person-centred and continuity-focused models of care. These approaches aim to bridge the divide between custodial and community settings, but their long-term impact remains unclear.

Barriers around continuity of care and information-sharing reflect wider structural challenges. These disproportionately affect people with overlapping needs, including physical disabilities or long-term conditions, increasing the risk of unmet need after release.

Improving equity in this area will require stronger evidence on need, outcomes and effectiveness. This includes better data collection, evaluation of interventions and research that reflects the experiences of people leaving prison, to support more responsive and equitable social care pathways.

Key statistics 

Key messages 

Policy implications 

Gaps 

Commentary 
This report examines how housing conditions affect the health, wellbeing and care needs of older people in England, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the central role that the home plays in supporting health and independence later in life. 

A key finding is that a large number of older people live in homes that do not meet acceptable housing standards. Around two million non-decent homes are occupied by older people, often containing hazards such as excess cold, poor repair or risks of falls. These housing conditions can contribute to a range of health problems including respiratory illness, heart disease and injury from accidents. 

The pandemic reinforced the importance of housing quality. During lockdowns, many older people spent almost all of their time at home, which intensified the effects of living in unsuitable or unhealthy housing. Poor housing conditions were associated with worsening physical health, mental health challenges and greater social isolation. 

Housing conditions also affect how health and social care systems function. For example, unsafe or inaccessible homes can delay hospital discharge, increase the risk of hospital readmission and make it more difficult for people to receive care at home. The report highlights the importance of home adaptations, such as grab rails, stair lifts and accessible bathrooms, which can help older people remain independent and reduce demand on health and social care services. 

Unpaid carers are another important part of this picture. Many carers experienced increased responsibilities during the pandemic as formal services were disrupted. Providing care in homes that are cold, unsafe or unsuitable can create additional strain for carers and increase risks for both carers and those receiving care. 

From a care equity perspective, housing conditions are unevenly distributed across society. Poor housing is more common among people with lower incomes and in disadvantaged areas. These housing inequities contribute to wider health inequities by increasing the risk of illness and reducing the ability of people to remain independent in later life. 

Overall, the report argues that improving housing conditions should be considered a core component of health and social care policy. Targeted investment in housing improvements and adaptations could support healthy ageing, reduce pressure on health and social care services and address wider inequities in health outcomes.