The work currently underway to ‘transform' social care through individual budgets marks the start of a whole system change for all those working with adults in need of care. An extra £520 million for councils over the next three years through the Social Care reform grant will lead to more personalised and preventative care services and more power and control to service users and their carers. New, closer relationship between the health service and local authorities, being led across central government will also help drive ahead the changes. This conference brought together the full range of players from the Putting People First consortium and provided high level policy guidance and feedback on how the changes are being taken forward.