Be Aware: Autumn ADASS Report on Social Care & Carers UK Press Release Response.
Unpaid carers are already overburdened, and now the government aims to 'shift' more care from hospitals to the community.
Dear Unpaid Carers in the UK, I’m highlighting the recent ADASS reports and the Carers UK response. This underscores my concerns.
Carers UK response to the ADASS Autumn report
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Care (ADASS) 1
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
"Yet again, it is devastating to read the latest report from ADASS which clearly demonstrates that the challenges facing councils remain significant and are getting even worse as we head into this Winter.
"Millions of unpaid carers are bearing the brunt of this crisis when so many are already pushed to the limit. Adult social care relies heavily on the care and support unpaid carers provide to family members, friends and neighbours. They are suffering the negative effects of severe shortages in the social care workforce and the lack of funding. This is impacting their own health and wellbeing and their ability to care.
"The increasing intensity of care many provide also means thousands of unpaid carers find it increasingly difficult to juggle work and caring responsibilities, with around 600 leaving the workplace every day to care.
"Local authorities need sustainable and sufficient funding to fulfil their duties now. We want to see the Government set out a clear plan of action for social care reform, including a National Carers Strategy, as an absolute priority."
References:
The Three Shifts outlined in the NHS Consultation Questionnaire
(see My Priority Three Concerns)
Introducing the 3 shifts
The next questions relate to 3 ‘shifts’ – big changes to the way health and care services work – that doctors, nurses, patient charities, academics and politicians from all parties broadly agree are necessary to improve health and care services in England:
Shift 1: moving more care from hospitals to communities
Shift 2: making better use of technology in health and care
Shift 3: focussing on preventing sickness, not just treating it
Social Care in England
One type of work covers assessment and commissioning on behalf of local public finance, for people felt to be in need according to eligibility criteria. The public face for this activity is usually a social worker employed by the local authority.
A person’s needs are assessed against criteria, and their means to pay for care support are financially evaluated.
Funding, governance, oversight, the provision in terms of the availability of hands-on care in the home, and regulation are jargonised threads I’ve had difficulty deciphering:
Topline summaries of the 2022 and 2024 ADASS reports
ADASS SURVEY 2022: QUOTE
‘Making the focus of resources on acute hospitals, without addressing care and support at home, means people deteriorate and even more will need hospital care.’
ADASS REPORT 2024 QUOTE:
‘Hospital to Community – The social care workforce is fundamental to the success of community-based health and social care. This report underscores the importance of investing in the workforce, from local social care professionals to allied health roles such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, which are essential to easing pressures on health and care systems alike.’
ADASS Survey 2022: Waiting for Care and Support
Our new survey findings show that more than half a million people are now waiting for an adult social care assessment, for care or a direct payment to begin or for a review of their care.
This new evidence shows that despite staff working relentlessly over the last two years, levels of unmet, undermet or wrongly met needs are increasing, and the situation is getting worse. The growing numbers of people needing care and the increasing complexity of their needs are far outstripping the capacity to meet them.
Despite great achievements in increasing the amount of care provided, there is an even starker rise in the support now needed, with more people left without essential care to maintain their health, and dignity and lead good lives in their communities.
Not only are people waiting longer for care assessments, reviews, care packages and personal budgets, but family carers are having to shoulder greater responsibility and are being asked to take paid or unpaid leave from work when care and support are not available for their family members.
Making the focus of resources on acute hospitals, without addressing care and support at home, means people deteriorate and even more will need hospital care.
ADASS Autumn Survey 2024 ACCESS REPORT AND RESULTS HERE
The ADASS Autumn Survey 2024 highlights the growing and urgent challenges facing councils as they work to enable people to have access to vital care and support to people with disabilities, long-term health conditions and their carers amidst unprecedented financial pressures.
The Survey is an annual survey conducted by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) which is sent to every Director of Adult Social Services (referred to as Directors in this report) in the 153 English councils with social care responsibilities. This year we had a response rate of 86%. It was conducted between 12th September and 9th October.
Budgets – Adult social care budgets are under severe strain. Currently, 81% of councils expect to overspend their adult social care budgets this year—up from 72% in 2023/24—with an estimated total overspend of £564 million.
Savings – The report also indicates that a significant number of councils are being required to make further in-year savings—35%, compared to 19% in 2022. These savings come on top of the highest level of planned reductions in eight years, with a projected increase to £1.4 billion in required savings by 2025/26. This severely constrains councils’ ability to invest in essential areas such as workforce development, preventive services, and support for unpaid carers.
ADASS is committed to supporting the Government’s vision of shifting health and social care from sickness to prevention, hospital to community and analogue to digital. Our survey examined these challenges.
Treatment of Prevention – Directors have positive evidence of what works in terms of prevention across a range of interventions, including what delivers a positive Return on Investment. But they want to know more in order to go further and faster. At the moment, operational priorities and financial pressures prevent them from doing more. The next policy cycle of the Better Care Fund is an opportunity to reorient the fund toward prevention, enabling health and social care partners to deliver the right care at the right time and place.
Hospital to Community – The social care workforce is fundamental to the success of community-based health and social care. This report underscores the importance of investing in the workforce, from local social care professionals to allied health roles such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, which are essential to easing pressures on health and care systems alike.
Analogue to Digital – Finally, access to joined-up health and social care data is transformative in understanding people’s needs and making informed, effective policy decisions. While Client Level Data is making strides, further collaboration is needed to unlock the potential of integrated data across health, housing, welfare, and social care—empowering people with more choice and control over their care and informing sound policy and financial decisions.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) is a charity representing directors of adult social services in England, and is a leading body on social care issues. The association aims to further the interests of people in need of social care by promoting high standards of social care services and influencing the development of social care legislation and policy. Membership is drawn from serving directors of adult social care employed by the 152 local authorities in England with social care responsibilities.