Adult social care in 2025: What changed, what didn’t and what it means for the year ahead

While 2025 was a challenging year for adult social care, it also proved pivotal.

The year was marked by renewed political attention on adult social care – which many feel has been a long time coming – set against a backdrop of sustained pressure on councils and the workforce. It saw the Government set out plans to reform adult social care in England; the launch of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care; a Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction; the start of public hearings for Module 6 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry; and the announcement of a Fair Pay Agreement. Against this backdrop, ADASS worked to ensure the voice of directors and senior leaders in adult social care, and the people they support, was heard nationally. Below, we reflect on some key moments in adult social care over the past 12 months, which ADASS is proud to have contributed to: 

January to March

We started the year with the Government announcement of what it called a ‘package’ of social care reforms including money for the disabled facilities grant and the news there would be an independent national inquiry into adult social care led by Baroness Louise Casey. Our then President, Melanie Williams, was widely interviewed across broadcast media in response to the announcement, including BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, ITV, Channel 5, Times Radio and Radio News Hub, ensuring strong national visibility for ADASS’ perspective. 

After successfully proposing the topic to the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, our policy team gave evidence to its inquiry entitled Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction. This also saw Melanie Williams give oral evidence as part of the inquiry sessions, reinforcing ADASS’ policy leadership on social care reform. 

April to June

We hosted our Spring Seminar for members, welcoming our new ADASS President, Jess McGregor, and Vice President, Phil Holmes. Jess gave her inaugural speech, about her own journey and why we must always put the people who draw on care and support first.

The event marked the launch of our Care Can’t Wait campaign and Co-production Vision, alongside the introduction of our first ADASS membership pack. Keynote speakers included Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Georgia Gould MP (in her role at the time).

ADASS also responded to the terms of reference for the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, contributing to the national conversation on long-term reform.

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry – Module 6 (Care Sector) began its public hearings in June. Week one focused on people’s experiences of adult social care during the pandemic, highlighting the sector’s challenges and impact. ADASS’ former CEO Cathie Williams went on to give evidence the following month.  

July to September

We published our Spring Survey 2025 report, our annual survey of Directors of Adult Social Services in England. The report revealed that directors collectively overspent by £774 million in 2024 to meet statutory duties. It also showed reductions in early intervention and prevention, warning that the Government’s ambition to shift care from hospital to community would be compromised without sustainable funding.

October to December

We launched our Autumn Survey 2025 report, which showed a sharp rise in high-cost care for young adults, with a 30% increase in 18–24-year-olds receiving care packages costing more than £7,000 per week,

We also responded to the “State of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England 2025” report and to the County Councils Network (CCN) report on local government reorganisation. The National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) took place in Bournemouth in November, co-hosted with the LGA and ADCS. Speakers included ADASS President Jess McGregor, people with lived experience, and Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care. We also responded to the Local Government Finance Policy Statement.

We published a joint report with NHS Confederation and RLDatix, “Caring Together: a joint vision for the future of co-operation between social care and the NHS”. The report set out practical steps for local authorities and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to improve collaboration and ensure people’s health and care needs are prioritised.

Looking ahead to 2026

In 2026, ADASS will continue to press for urgent, fully funded reform of adult social care, ensuring councils are not left to absorb national policy costs. We will build on our Care Can’t Wait campaign, strengthen co-production with people who draw on care and support, and deepen collaboration with the NHS and system partners. Additionally, we will be running important events like our Spring Seminar and NCASC. As pressures on councils and the workforce intensify, ADASS will remain a strong national voice for directors, assistant directors, principal social workers and our associates.