News & campaigns
Letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State on Urgent Social Care Reform
Today, leaders of organisations that represent adult social care nationally have written to the Prime minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to urge the Government to act now on reform of England’s social care system and publish its proposals before the Summer Recess. In common with all […]
30 June 2024
Stephen Chandler makes first speech as the new ADASS President
In his first speech as the new President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Stephen Chandler reflected on the lessons of the last year, called on the Government to urgently set out its plans for the future of care and support, and asked for everyone to come together to speak up […]
30 June 2024
Press Releases
Stephen Chandler’s Inaugural Presidential Speech 2021
ADASS presidential speech – Stephen Chandler Good morning everyone. Thank you James for those kind words and thank you for all the hard work you have done as President in a year that none of us could ever have anticipated. Being president of ADASS is a major responsibility and role in what were ‘normal times’, […]
30 June 2024
Social Care leaders calling on the Government to end 25 years of inaction & fix the social care system
ADASS, together with organisations speaking for more than 10 million people who have care and support needs, or are family carers or professionals who seek to meet those needs, are uniting in a joint call on ministers to break their silence on the future of social care. The unprecedented alliance says that the coronavirus crisis […]
30 June 2024
Economic recovery MUST meet the needs of people needing care and support
Chancellor Rishi Sunak ‘must put meeting the needs of older and disabled people, carers and families at the heart of his plans for economic recovery’ – social services directors say. Social care workers have played a vital and heroic role in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. They can now be central to the recovery. Meeting […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the Public Account Committee report on adult social care
Responding to the report Cathie Williams, joint CEO of ADASS said: “The current drip feed funding approach is seriously undermining wellbeing, stability, progress and innovation in social care, with budgets only stretching to provide immediate crisis care instead of investment in long term support to enable us to be well and connected, not needing hospital or residential […]
30 June 2024
Statements / Blog
ADASS joins the Community Rehabilitation Alliance
ADASS is proud to announce that is has become a member of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance (CRA) as it looks to continue to deliver on its key priorities for improving outcomes for people needing care and support in England. The aims of the CRA align closely to those of ADASS, particularly when it comes to the investment […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to The King’s Fund, ‘Making care closer to home a reality’
This report published by the King’s Fund explores the factors that have prevented successive governments from putting primary and community services at its core and proposes several steps to begin this shift. Anna Hemmings, Joint Chief Executive of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said: “The evidence in this report is clear, now is […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to Times Health Commission Report
Responding to the Times Health Commission report published today, ADASS joint chief executive, Anna Hemmings said: “This report makes clear the key role that quality, reliable social care must play to improve our health and wellbeing today and for future generations. The Commission has come up with range of constructive proposals, many in common with ideas […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to new career pathway in adult social care
In response to the Government announcement to improve the career prospects of the care workforce through training, qualifications and a clearer, care career path, Anna Hemmings, Joint CEO of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said: “Lack of career development is one of the main reasons staff leave adult social care, so the launch of the Care […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to HFT and Care England report on adult social care
In response to the new Sector Pulse Check report by HFT and Care England, Anna Hemmings, joint CEO of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said: “ADASS welcomes the practical recommendations to ease pressure on the sector in this report. We firmly agree that we need a long term, fully funded plan for social care so […]
30 June 2024
Statements
Exploitation and illegal practice in the recruitment and employment of international care workers
Cathie Williams, Joint Chief Executive of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said: “The majority of care workers are employed by independent providers who take an ethical approach to recruiting overseas care workers. However, we need to urgently stop the exploitation and illegal practice carried out by some unscrupulous companies recruiting care […]
30 June 2024
ADASS responds to King’s Fund Sector Led Improvement Report
ADASS welcomes the King’s Fund commentary on Sector Led Improvement work. Our surveys of Directors of Adult Social Services show that there are increasing needs from hospital activity (or people waiting for hospital), carer breakdown, mental ill health, and domestic abuse. Against this, the workforce is shrinking due to inadequate pay, exhaustion, and lack of […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the LGA Lead Members’ Survey
Responding to the findings of the latest survey from the LGA, Cathie Williams, ADASS Chief Executive said: “This report provides yet more evidence that social care is not fixed. The LGA survey shows that there is not enough money to make the changes which will mean that everyone can get the support they need and ensure […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to Pushed to the Edge Carers’ Trust Report
In response to the latest Carers’ Trust report “Pushed to the Edge”, Sarah McClinton, ADASS Vice President, said: “The report paints a stark and harrowing picture of the incredible challenges family carers have had to endure both before and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. “Many carers are exhausted and at breaking point. “The government must now […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the CQC State Of Care 2020-21 Report
Responding to the CQC’s State of Care Report 2020-21, Cathie Williams, ADASS Chief Executive said: “CQC’s State of Care report always provides an important oversight of health and social care in England. This year the dreadful impact of the pandemic is necessarily highlighted, not least in the stark effect it had in exposing and exacerbating […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to British Social Attitudes survey
Public satisfaction with social care hits new low. New findings from the British Social Attitudes survey, published by the Nuffield Trust and The King’s Fund, show that public satisfaction with social care services has dropped to just 13 per cent, the lowest level ever recorded. Anna Hemmings, Joint Chief Executive of the Association of Directors […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the Kings Fund Social Care 360
Responding to the report from the Kings Fund on Adult Social Care, Anna Hemmings, joint CEO of ADASS said: “This report shows why it’s time to act on social care – jobs left unfilled, long waits to get care and fewer people eligible for support. Social care should be there for all of us when we […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the Spring Budget 2024
Anna Hemmings, joint CEO of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said: “ADASS welcomed £500 million additional Government funding for children and adults social care in February. Yet while this sounds a big figure, once shared between 153 councils, the reality is it simply isn’t enough to meet rising costs and growing numbers […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the 2024/25 local government finance settlement
In response to today’s Government announcement of the final local government finance settlement for local councils for 2024-25, Cathie Williams, joint CEO of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said: “We are pleased the Government announced more money for local councils to pay for care and support services, which provide a lifeline […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS calls for reprioritisation of the overall social care reform programme
In response to reports that the Government may delay introduction of the cap on personal care costs and increased capital limits for state support for such costs, ADASS is calling for reprioritisation of the overall social care reform programme. Cathie Williams, ADASS Chief Executive said: “While we understand the reasons for a short delay in […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to Care Quality Commission – The state of health care and adult social care in England 2021/22
Responding to the CQC State of Care Report 2022, Sarah McClinton, ADASS President said: “This is yet more stark evidence of the huge challenges facing adult social care and the NHS ahead of an incredibly difficult winter, with the cost disproportionately hitting those of us who need adult social care, unpaid carers and those who […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS Responds to LGSCO’s annual review of adult social care complaints
In response of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Review 2021-22, an ADASS spokesperson said: “It is deeply concerning that the number of people making complaints has fallen so significantly. Whether this is because people have more complex needs, individuals and carers are exhausted, people feel less able to engage, or the impact of the […]
30 June 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to Nuffield Trust report on unpaid carers
Responding to the latest Nuffield Trust report on unpaid carers, Cathie Williams, ADASS Chief Executive said: “Caring for each other is a critical part of our society but sometimes the care needed is intense and carers need support themselves. Without them, so much more paid health and social care would be needed. That is why […]
30 June 2024