News & campaigns
Statements
ADASS responds to the Care Quality Commission’s State of Care Report 2023/24
Our response to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s) annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England.
25 October 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to Dr Penny Dash review into operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Our response to the publication of the review into the operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
15 October 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to ‘The state of the adult social Care sector and workforce in England’ report 23/24
In response to Skills for Care’s ‘The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report for 2023/24, Anna Hemmings, CEO of ADASS, said: “The increase in the number of people in direct care roles is positive, but the high churn of recently recruited staff, particularly among our domestic workforce, remains a […]
10 October 2024
Statements
ADASS Responds to Lord Darzi’s Report
In response to Lord Darzi’s report, Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said: “We support Lord Darzi’s recommendation to shift focus and funding from hospitals, towards community and mental health services. “But social care must be at the heart of any plans to create a ‘neighbourhood NHS’, otherwise we’re […]
12 September 2024
Statements
ADASS/BASW Joint Statement: The role of the DASS and social workers in disaster recovery
ADASS and BASW England are committed to highlighting the integral role of system leaders and social workers as key workers during disaster and emergency response and recovery.
19 August 2024
Statements
Statement of Understanding: Planned Returns to the UK in Cases Involving Vulnerable Adults
This statement of understanding updates and replaces an understanding agreed between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) in 2019.
15 August 2024
Press Releases
ADASS responds to UK riots
A statement by ADASS President, Melanie Williams, in response to the violent riots happening across the UK.
6 August 2024
Press Releases
ADASS welcomes Sally Burlington as new CEO
ADASS is delighted to announce the appointment of Sally Burlington as our new CEO, starting in early November 2024.
6 August 2024

Statements
ADASS responds to the Government scrapping adult social care charging reforms
Our response to the Government's announcement that it will not proceed with adult social care charging reforms.
30 July 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to Skills for Care’s ‘Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England’
Our response to the launch of Skills for Care's new Social Care Workforce Strategy
23 July 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to ‘Missing Millions: Exploring hidden and unmet social care need for disabled people’
Our response to a new report by Healthwatch England focusing on hidden demand for social care.
23 July 2024
Press Releases
People needing more intense care and support, pushing councils to overspend, says ADASS survey
People needing more intense care and support after hospital, pushing local councils to overspend, according to a new survey. People are needing more complex care and support due to illness and disability, but local councils are struggling financially to meet people’s higher-level needs says the latest annual survey from the Association of Directors of Adult […]
16 July 2024
Press Releases / Statements
ADASS welcomes new Government
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) congratulates the Labour Party for their victory in the General Election. Anna Hemmings, ADASS CEO, said: “We look forward to the opportunity to work with Keir Starmer and his team to improve social care and ensure it enables people to live their best lives. “We […]
5 July 2024
Press Releases / Statements
ADASS Responds to Social Care White Paper
Publication of the social care white paper has been welcomed by care leaders as a “foundation stone” upon which to build modern care and support choices for older and disabled people and all those at risk of social exclusion. The white paper, People at the Heart of Care, should be seen as a first but […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases
Time to act to save social care in England
With waiting lists spiralling leaving many of us who are older or disabled without the care we need, carers burnt out and staff leaving, social care leaders warn “we’ve run out of road” to carry on like this as they publish a roadmap to transform adult social care in England. Time to act: a roadmap […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases
ADASS response to Hewitt Review of Integrated Care System
A key focus of the Hewitt Review is the importance of helping people stay healthier for longer at home, preventing the need for emergency hospital treatment. ADASS underlines that this can only be achieved by a Government commitment to providing a good quality social care system working in parallel with the NHS. Sarah McClinton, […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases / Statements
Adult Social Care reform announcement response
Social care transforms the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, but it’s in crisis. The Government published an ambitious plan to reform adult social care in 2021. But some of the start-up funding is now being held back and reform looks like it will stall at a time when it’s needed more than ever. […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases / Statements
ADASS statement on MPs’ report on making joined-up health and care services work
In response to a new report today into new partnerships aimed at delivering joined-up health and care services, ADASS President Helen McClinton highlights the great potential of Integrated Care Systems, but warns the Government must invest in the social care system to allow them to function effectively. The House of Commons Health and Social Care […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases / Statements
The Cost of Care is far above the funding available
The government has required councils to undertake a ‘Cost of Care’ exercise with their local care providers and to publish the results on the 1st February 2023. Sarah McClinton, ADASS President said: “The Cost of Care exercises have been challenging and time consuming for councils and for those providers that responded. However, they have been […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases
Joint vision for a high quality and sustainable health and care system
Joint vision from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), NHS Confederation and the LGA on the long-term solutions required to make our health and care system resilient, preventative and promoting independence. High quality, responsive, preventative and personalised health and care services contribute so much to our lives and society by: However, all […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases
ADASS Appoints New Joint Chief Executive
Today ADASS (the Association for Directors of Adult Social Services) announces that Anna Hemmings has been appointed as its new Joint Chief Executive alongside Cathie Williams and will be taking up the post early in the New Year. Anna joins the charity at a critical time for the organisation, as it works to build a […]
30 June 2024

Press Releases
There is neither ‘the funding nor the workforce’ needed to meet the needs of older and disabled people this winter
More than 9 in 10 (94%) adult social services directors in England do not believe there is the ‘funding’ or ‘workforce’ to meet care costs of older and disabled people in their area, according to new data from ADASS. Almost all directors of adult social services across England say there is neither enough funding nor […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases
Prevention is the best cure to ease winter pressures, says new report by ADASS
Improving care at home, more sheltered, extra care and dementia focussed housing, investment in crisis resolution intermediate care and better information and advice for older and disabled people would prevent many from needing hospital or residential care, reducing pressures across health and social care every winter, says a new report from ADASS (the Association of […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases
A national emergency for social care
Care, support and safeguards ensure that all of us can live the lives we want to live. Adult social care is all about people – the millions of people who are unpaid carers, the 1.5 million people who are paid to deliver vital care and support, and most importantly the older and disabled people and […]
30 June 2024