ADASS responds to announcement on social care commission and support measures

In response to the announcement of a new social care commission and additional support measures for the sector, Melanie Williams, President of ADASS, said:  

“We welcome the announcement of a new independent commission on adult social care, which is needed now more than ever with record numbers of people seeking support. ADASS is ideally placed to make a substantial contribution to this crucial work and we look forward to working with Baroness Casey.  

“Unfortunately, the timescales announced are too long and mean there won’t be tangible changes until 2028. We already know much of the evidence and options on how to reform adult social care, including our independently commissioned Time to Act report, and worry that continuing to tread water until an independent commission concludes will be at the detriment of people’s health and wellbeing.   

“However, significant and immediate investment is required to enable adult social care to simply standstill, with increases in employers’ national insurance and national living wage, alongside inflation –creating further financial distress on adult social care. ADASS has identified a significant gap between the costs of continuing existing levels of service and the funding available to pay for it in 2025-26, amounting to £1.4bn and this announcement doesn’t cover it. Our members say many of the organisations they work with to provide social care to their local communities, including the elderly and disabled, are now unable to resign contracts and many staff are fearing for their futures.  

“This is why Government must use the forthcoming Spending Review to lay the foundations for reform by stabilising adult social care and investing in the workforce, or risk further deterioration of care and support, making reforming the sector more difficult in future years. 

“The wider package of short-term proposals is promising and includes some interesting ideas which we are keen to work with the government on. Improvements to support the workforce make huge sense when adult social care has low levels of recruitment and retention, but they require investment in pay and terms and conditions. And while the Disabled Facilities Grant is welcome, it’s a specific housing investment that will require Occupational Therapists to support it – another workforce which will need to be considered and worked into any future plans.”