“It is deeply concerning to see that most councils are not confident they can meet all of their statutory duties required by law."
Responding to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services Spring Survey, Cllr David Baines, Vice-Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said: ”This crucial annual report gives a comprehensive view of the many pressures facing social care, their consequences for people, the workforce and providers, and the legitimate and serious concerns of directors of adult services.
“While the decrease in the number of people waiting for care assessments is a positive and notable achievement, a record NHS backlog, rising mental health needs, support around domestic abuse of people with care and support needs, means that demand continues to rise for councils.
“The fact that directors are having to plan savings of £806 million as part of wider council budget-setting in 2023/24, further demonstrates the extremely challenging situation adult social care is facing.
“It is deeply concerning to see that most councils are not confident they can meet all of their statutory duties required by law. This, partnered with the increase in the number of unpaid carers reporting burnout, could have serious impacts for many people who draw on care and support.
“This report shows the impact of a chronically underfunded system and the pressures councils continue to face. We support the recommendations of this report and urge the Government to implement a fully costed, long-term, sustainable plan to fund social care.”