Author Archives: Isla Thompson

Stuart Cowley, Director of Adult Social Care and Health at Wigan Council, explores why the future of adult social care reform depends on empowering communities, neighbourhoods and local systems to shape solutions that reflect local needs, rather than pursuing a single national model. He shares Wigan Council's relational approach to reform, showing how collaboration and strong relationships can create lasting change and improve outcomes for people and communities.

In response to the announcement on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), Phil Holmes, ADASS President, said: “We are pleased that the Government has responded to our significant concerns about the risks of Local Government Reorganisation to the capacity to support transition and the leadership pipeline for adult social care. Although we welcome the opportunities offered by […]

In response to the Government’s Fair Pay Agreement announcement, Phil Holmes, President of ADASS, said: “ADASS supports the Government’s ambition for a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA). We believe that adult social care staff are highly skilled and welcome this opportunity to strengthen and retain the workforce, recognising those who provide care and support, via fairer […]

Our latest Spring Survey finds that rising adult social care needs leave councils £715 million over budget.

Helen Jones explores how being an ADASS Associate helps her stay connected to the adult social care sector, reflects on the rewards of mentoring through the ADASS Associates programme, and encourages fellow Associates to become mentors to share their wisdom as former Directors of Adult Social Services. 

This blog from the Catalogue of Social Care Data (CASCID) team, by Edmund Stubbs, Raphael Wittenberg and Derek King, explores how a new place-based approach is helping turn social care data into practical insights for local decision-making. It highlights why understanding communities and local context is essential to tackling inequalities, planning services and improving outcomes […]

ADASS Senior Policy Officer Paul Buddery and experts share their reflections on co-producing our Care Closer to Home policy statement and the importance of the question, ‘so, what next?’.

David Cole lives in Dorset and draws on adult social care. He is a Quality Assurance Lived Experience Adviser at the council and shares his reflections for Co-production Week’s 2026 theme ‘Care Equity’.

Dr Laura Tucker explores why establishing a culture of research empowers staff, strengthens practice and improves outcomes for people who draw on care and support. She shares best practice for supporting research across adult social care organisations. 

Adult safeguarding is some of the most complex and important work in social care, yet it often goes unseen. Melanie Williams, Executive Director of Adults and Wellbeing at West Northamptonshire Council and former ADASS President, explores how new national reforms could strengthen safeguarding practice, improve accountability and ensure people with lived experience remain at the centre of decision-making.