News & campaigns
Statements
ADASS responds to the LGR announcement
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 […]
16 July 2026
Statements
ADASS responds to Fair Pay Agreement announcement
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 […]
16 July 2026
Press Releases
ADASS Spring Survey: Rising adult social care needs leave councils £715 million over budget
Our latest Spring Survey finds that rising adult social care needs leave councils £715 million over budget.
15 July 2026
Blog
Becoming an ADASS Associate: Mentorship and staying connected to adult social care
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.
14 July 2026
Blog
Less abstract, more actionable: why place now sits at the heart of our social care data catalogue
This blog from the Catalogue of Social Care Data (CASCID) team 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 for people who draw on care and support. […]
7 July 2026
Blog
How we co-produced our ‘care closer to home’ policy
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?’.
6 July 2026
Blog
How co-production can drive real change in care equity
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’.
3 July 2026
Blog
Research as an added extra? Why every social care organisation needs a research culture
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.
24 June 2026
Statements
Update note from ADASS following the Supreme Court decision on deprivation of liberty on 2 June, 2026
ADASS previously advised Councils to take a cautious approach to developing operational materials and approaches to reviewing and processing cases in the immediate wake of the Supreme Court decision. This note builds on that, following guidance issued by DHSC on 15 June, 2026. The judgement in the Supreme Court, known as AGNI, became the test for a deprivation of liberty immediately after it was handed down. There is […]
18 June 2026
Blog
Loneliness is everyone’s business – and adult social care has a vital role to play
Drawing on insights from his President’s Day and discussions with parliamentarians and partners, ADASS President Phil Holmes argues that tackling loneliness is one of the defining challenges of our time and should be a central goal of adult social care reform. Last week I chaired an event about Adult Social Care’s role in tackling loneliness […]
18 June 2026
Press Releases
Loneliness roadshow arrives in Doncaster, to mark the new ADASS presidency of Phil Holmes
A loneliness ‘roadshow’ event is taking place at the EcoPower Stadium at Doncaster Rovers Football Ground, on Thursday 11 June. Adult social care leaders, charities, academics and civil servants from across the country will join with Doncaster residents to take part in an interactive day designed to tackle loneliness including debates, workshops and talks – including from a social care companion robot. The event is being run by the Campaign to End Loneliness – hosted by Sheffield […]
11 June 2026
Blog
Understanding and addressing barriers to sharing of high-level data on unpaid carers between system partners
Jude Boyle from Derbyshire County Council and Michael Rose from Derby City Council share insights project in Derbyshire examining the barriers to sharing high-level carer data across the local care and health system.
11 June 2026
Blog
How community equipment services can support people to live more independently – and should be valued as core infrastructure
Mark Rance explores how the Kirklees Integrated Community Equipment Services model is reducing costs and tackling inequity, while delivering better outcomes for people who draw on care and support, their families and carers. Building on what we now know In ‘Innovating to support independence: The Kirklees approach to Community Equipment Services,’ I set out the rationale for redesigning community equipment services (CES) in Kirklees and […]
5 June 2026
Campaigns
Carers Week 2026
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
5 June 2026
Statements
ADASS responds to Supreme Court ruling on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
On June 2, the Supreme Court overruled the Cheshire West ruling on the meaning of deprivation of liberty. Rashpal Bishop is the Executive Director of Adults, Social Care and Health at Sandwell Council and the ADASS Vice President. She is also the ADASS Lead on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and responds to the judgement.
4 June 2026
Press Releases
ADASS and CQC refresh joint working protocol
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have updated our Joint Working Protocol (JWP) agreement that sets out how we work together to share information and promote quality and safety.
22 May 2026
Blog
‘Big R – small r’: developing a more inclusive way to talk about research
Steve Crocker, an ADASS Research Committee member, explores different research approaches in adult social care.
19 May 2026
Blog
Forty years in adult social care: lessons, laughter and listening to what matters
Freshly retired, Mel Lock reflects on the people, partnerships and principles that shaped her career - from championing lived experience and rural communities to navigating funding pressures and reform. As she steps away from full-time leadership, she shares the lessons, humour and humanity that have kept her committed to ensuring people live lives shaped by choice, dignity and connection, not services.
11 May 2026
Blog
Adult social care’s contribution to the Neighbourhood Health Service in England
Professor Oonagh Smyth CBE and Sir David Pearson, share insights from the position statement on adult social care’s contribution to the Neighbourhood Health Service from the Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England’s Oversight Executive Group; highlighting the actions required to enable adult social care and its workforce to play a full role in the Neighbourhood Health Service and where they are working successfully in neighbourhoods.
5 May 2026
Blog
From our President: if my Presidency over the next year stands for one thing, it will be social justice
ADASS President Phil Holmes stresses that social justice must sit at the heart of adult social care. In a time of rising division and prejudice, he calls for leadership that moves beyond words and into meaningful action.
30 April 2026
Statements / Blog
ADASS’s new President Phil Holmes inaugural speech
Phil Holmes' powerful first speech as ADASS President at the ADASS Spring Seminar 2026.
28 April 2026
Statements
ADASS Past President Melanie Williams invited to join expert panel on children moving into adulthood
We’re delighted a new independent expert panel will investigate the important issue of young people transitioning from childhood to adulthood, and those needing care and support moving from children’s to adults’ services in our local authorities. Our members tell us young people don’t always get the support they need and have called for more focus […]
15 April 2026
Statements
Local government reorganisation must not come at expense of people who rely on care
Our response to the Government's announcement on local government reorganisation.
26 March 2026
Blog
Supported Housing: the missing link in social care reform
Neil Revely makes the case that supported housing is not a peripheral concern for adult social care but the foundation upon which good care depends. Without stable, appropriate housing, effective adult social care simply cannot be delivered. He sets out the key policy actions needed to put supported housing where it belongs: at the heart of policy, planning and investment decisions.
17 March 2026
