ADASS Autumn Survey 2025

Introduction

Our Autumn Survey report is being published at a time of significant turbulence, not only economically, but also for local government, adult social care and the NHS. Local government reorganisation and finance reform, a refinement of Integrated Care Board (ICB) geographies, and the abolition of NHS England and the integration of its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) means that many Directors of Adult Social Services (DASSs) are operating in an environment of uncertainty and instability.

There are, however, green shoots of hope with the first multi-year Spending Review since before the coronavirus pandemic published earlier this year, and the independent commission into adult social care chaired by Baroness Casey now building momentum.

In principle, ADASS (Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) supports the Government’s “three strategic shifts” – from hospital to home, analogue to digital, and treatment to prevention – as well as the push for neighbourhood health and care. However, the reality, as set out in this report, is that the resources available and the capacity for adult social care to play a full and active part in discussions is constrained.

ADASS has been clear that government needs to lay the foundations for more fundamental reform of adult social care. Immediate and incremental steps are required to stop the further deterioration of care and support, or we risk compounding the well-rehearsed challenges facing adult social care such as workforce shortages, inadequate support for unpaid carers and care increasingly focused on those with the most complex needs. As we set out in our submission to the parliamentary Health and Social
Care Select Committee, continuing along the same path that we are on comes at a cost, not only in monetary terms, but most importantly to the lives of people who draw on care and support, their carers and families.

It does not have to be this way. Our independently commissioned report Time to Act: Roadmap for reforming care and support in England provides a clear blueprint for change. It draws together the thinking that’s been done on the future path we could take and develops a roadmap to get us there.

We thank ADASS members and their staff for taking the time to collate and share their insights to support the development of this survey. We also extend our gratitude to our Policy and Communications teams, and Trustees whose collective expertise has made this report possible.

Jess McGregor – ADASS President

Sally Burlington – ADASS Chief Executive