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Some of the most powerful conversations at the National Children’s and Adults Social Care Conference (NCASC) don’t happen on the main stage, they happen in the ‘Big Chats’. Led by people with lived experience of care and support, these lively sessions aim to create a welcoming space to explore the issues that matter most to people and communities. The Big […]

In response to the Government’s announcement of a major expansion of community mental health support across England, Phil Holmes, ADASS President, said: ADASS welcomes this news; we are pleased that Government recognises the vital need for investment in mental health support to improve the quality of life, prospects and length of life of people experiencing […]

By Richard Humphries and Bernie Enright For decades, successive governments have promised reform of adult social care. Reviews have been commissioned, reports have been written and solutions have been proposed. Yet meaningful, lasting change has remained out of reach… until now.   What we’ve got at the moment is a sense of hope that real change […]

Adi Cooper and Professor Michael Preston-Shoot provide an update on recent developments concerning how issues from Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) can be escalated nationally. Recently there has been some significant progress following a review by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the National Network for SAB Chairs of whether the safeguarding escalation […]

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 […]