Complaints about adult social care rose by 22 per cent last year, according to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, Amerdeep Clarke.
Ms Clarke recorded 3,938 complaints and enquiries in 2025/26, but acknowledged improvements made by English councils and care providers in handling complaints and the difficult circumstances in which they are operating.
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “Councils continue to work hard to try to ensure people who need it receive safe and high-quality care. Complaints systems form an important part of this process.
“The LGA is working with councils across England to support this improvement, but reform of adult social care cannot come soon enough.
“As we set out in our ‘Care where we live’ report, sustained and predictable funding and infrastructure will be essential for the future of adult social care, if councils are to successfully meet growing demand and deliver on their duties under the Care Act.
“Success will require a new partnership between national government, local government and the public.”