The adult social care sector remains in a precarious position and despite councils’ best efforts to make progress on the issue, more than 400,000 people are still facing a wait to be assessed, for their care package to commence, or for a review of their care plan.
A report out this morning by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services annual survey, found that councils are struggling financially to meet people’s higher-level needs.
Their survey reveals a 7.5% increase in the number of people requiring multiple visits from two or more care workers, called ‘double handed care’ since last year, now totalling 49,000 people . As more care workers are needed to provide care and support to people with complex needs, costs to councils are increasing.
This is illustrated in the average number of homecare hours councils are providing per person, which has risen from 697 hours in 2022 to 750 hours in 2024. This has contributed to a rise in spending on homecare by councils by just over a quarter during this period
This rise in complex care, in part, is the result of an ongoing push to discharge people from hospital more rapidly. The average size of care packages for people being discharged from hospital has increased in 76% of council areas over the past 12 months . This means that many older people and adults with a disability need more support from social care as they are more unwell following their hospital stay.
President of ADASS, Melanie Williams, said:
“This report shows an unsustainable and worrying picture for the 4 out of 5 of us needing adult social care in the future and sends a clear message that we can’t keep doing more of the same. Instead of focussing on investment in hospitals and freeing up beds, the new Government must shift to investing in more social care, supporting unpaid carers, and providing healthcare in our local community to prevent people reaching crisis point and ending up in hospital in the first place.
“Without investment in early care and support at home or the community, spending more on the NHS is like pouring water down a sink with no plug in. This approach is also better for us all in terms of mental health, sense of independence and overall wellbeing.
“The next Government must have the courage to commit to a long-term, fully funded solution for social care and shift from short-term crisis management, especially during winter, to more care at home in the long term. Care at home is better for all involved, but also makes more financial sense.”
Cllr David Fothergill, social care spokesperson for the LGA said:
“At its best, adult social care supports adults of all ages to live the life they want to lead. But as this vital report highlights, a range of serious concerns that councils have been raising for years remain. The adult social care sector remains in a precarious position and despite councils’ best efforts to make progress on the issue, more than 400,000 people are still facing a wait to be assessed, for their care package to commence, or for a review of their care plan.
“The LGA is calling for immediate investment in adult social care to tackle the urgent issues affecting services and pave the way for a longer-term and sustainable settlement. This needs to be delivered alongside a long-term care workforce plan and a shift to a more preventative model of health and wellbeing.”
