Our adult social care sector is in desperate need of sustainable investment and a proper plan for long-term reform.
The growing cost pressures the sector faces are not new, and the LGA has long argued for adequate and sustainable funding. However, financial investment alone cannot bring about genuine and lasting reform.
Workforce shortages, retention and pay challenges, and complex and lengthy processes, are just some of the daily pressures contributing to the sector’s precarious position.
Coupled with rising numbers of people requesting care and support each year, it is clear that urgent action is needed.
It is also clear that councils, as the largest commissioners of adult social care in England, are critical to reforming and delivering a sustainable sector and a better future for our residents who draw on our care services.
That’s why, with Baroness Casey’s Independent Commission on Adult Social Care due to make its first report this year, the LGA has launched a series of engagement events for you, our member councils. We want to be ready to contribute to the commission’s work, ensuring local government has a strong voice in this important national process.
This is especially so in light of the LGA’s projections that one in 10 social care councils faces real-term cuts in spending power in 2026/27 and proposals for local government to have minimal engagement in the development of a fair pay agreement for care workers.
This is a pivotal moment to influence the future direction of care and support in England, and ensure that it is the best it can be at supporting people to live the independent lives they want to lead.
Local government must be heard – so please engage with us so we can make the strongest case possible to central government on your behalf.
- To find out more, see ‘Care where we live’ and visit our Care where we live conversations website.