Membership
ADASS Membership
Our membership is drawn from serving directors of adult social care employed by local authorities and their direct reports. Associate members are past directors and their direct reports, and since 2019, our wider membership includes principal social workers.
There are four categories of ADASS membership
Full membership
The Directors of Adult Social Services (the DASS) in each local authority in England, including interim or acting, are full members. Full membership of ADASS is membership of the Local Authority, not of the individual Director.
Extended membership
Additional leads who are senior managers who report directly to the DASS and/or those to whom the DASS reports. The Full Member or the local authority may determine the people to be proposed. Each Full Member can nominate up to four Extended Members. Full Members who wish to nominate more than four members, can do so by paying an Additional Extended Member fee (see below).
Principal Social Workers
Principal Social Workers are included as a separate category. Each full Member can nominate one Principal Social Worker, and these places are not exchangeable with extended members.
Associate membership
This is available to all former DASSs (Full Members), Extended Members or Principal Social Workers once they have left their post. Associate membership of ADASS is membership of the individual, not of any organisation.
All membership fees are reviewed by the ADASS Treasurer on an annual basis.
Full Membership
For DASS, extended members and PSWs, ADASS operates a Tiered Approach to fees based on the size of the Local Authority. As the size of Authority can be subjective due to the differing structures of local authorities, this approach uses population to measure size.
- Tier 1
Population Range: 501,000+ ; Membership Fees (2025): £3,330 - Tier 2
Population Range: 200,001-500,000 ; Membership Fees (2025): £3,019 - Tier 3
Population Range: 0-200,000 ; Membership Fees (2025): £2,733
Additional Extended Member
Each full member can nominate up to 4 extended members and 1 principal social worker. Full members can nominate additional extended members to join the ADASS membership at an additional 1/6 of the membership for each additional extended member.
Associate Membership
Associate membership fees for the 2025 – 2026 period are £360 (pro-rata). Associate membership fee is eligible for Gift Aid, which means that as long as the member is a UK taxpayer and has paid enough tax to cover the Gift Aid claimed, ADASS can boost the fee paid by 25% at no additional cost to the member. The Gift Aid form is included in the membership application form. Associates who wish to do so can set up a recurring yearly Direct Debit with ADASS.
Stay part of ADASS by joining our Associate Network
Your connection to ADASS doesn’t have to end when you leave your role.
Our Associate membership offers former ADASS members the opportunity to remain part of our community after retirement or a move beyond local government. It’s a way to stay connected to a network of experienced senior leaders, continue to play a voice in the national discussions influencing adult social care, and retain membership benefits such as our weekly bulletin and invitations to ADASS events.
Associates contribute in a range of voluntary and paid roles, including consultancy or joining ADASS policy networks. Many also take part in the Associates Mentorship Programme, supporting current ADASS members with leadership development, career transition and professional reflection. The programme has grown year-on-year and makes a valuable contribution to the personal and professional development opportunities available across our community.
Whether you’re looking to continue networking with peers, give back to the sector, or help shape the future of adult social care, Associate membership offers a rewarding and flexible way to remain involved and share your experience.
If you are approaching retirement or considering your next step, we encourage you to explore becoming an associate. Further details are also available in the ADASS Membership Pack.
Chat to an Associate
If you have any questions or need support before applying, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the ADASS Associates Network. The co-chairs are Carol Tozer and Keith Skerman. The Secretary is Sheila Norris.