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. All membership runs the calendar year (January – December).
Full Membership
For DASS and extended members, 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
In 2025, Associate Membership fees 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.
Join our Associate Network
The Network offers a unique opportunity to stay connected, contribute meaningfully, and remain at the heart of adult social care. With over 100 experienced Associates from across the country, mostly ex-Directors, but now including former extended members and PSWs, the network brings together a rich mix of knowledge and leadership spanning social care, health, housing, and the voluntary sector. It’s a vibrant and growing community with something for everyone.
Members meet around four times a year, mainly remotely via Teams, to discuss key social care issues with expert contributors. They share feedback from events like NCASC and Spring Seminar and reflect on insights gathered from surveys of Associates’ views.
There are many ways to get involved. Associates take on a variety of roles—some paid, others voluntary—such as consultants, safeguarding board chairs, mentors for senior leaders/current ADASS members, and support ADASS policy areas or work with chairs of policy networks. Whether you want to stay active, give back, or influence nationally, there’s a role for you.
Beyond the professional contribution, membership brings a host of personal and professional benefits: networking with peers, staying informed, and having a voice in shaping the future of adult social care.
Further details about the offer and benefits can be found in the ADASS Membership Pack, linked below.
If you think you might be eligible to join our network, please apply, get in touch with a member of our team or chat to an Associate below.
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.