Briefings and responses

Adult social care is a vital service, supporting people’s independence and wellbeing. It strengthens our communities, helps sustain our NHS and adds essential economic value to our country. We estimate that, since 2010, councils have had to bridge a £6 billion funding shortfall just to keep the adult social care system going.

On 13 February 2019, the Supreme Court granted Unison leave to appeal the Court of Appeal judgment. The case has been listed to be heard on 12 and 13 February 2020.

It is vital that the Government uses the Spending Review and its forthcoming green paper to deliver sustainable funding for social care for the long-term.  

The purpose of this briefing is to update councils on latest developments regarding payment of overnight sleep-in shifts in adult social care. Although this briefing focuses on adults, the issue is also relevant to children’s services.

The purpose of this briefing is to update councils on latest developments regarding payment of overnight sleep-in shifts in adult social care. Although this briefing focuses on adults, the issue is also relevant to children’s services.

Despite rising demand, mental health services have been reduced for many years at all levels.

Adult social care is a crucial service in its own right that transform peoples’ quality of life. However, years of significant underfunding coupled with rising demand and costs for care and support, have combined to push adult social care services to breaking point.

We have long called for an overhaul of the current Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) process to create a fully-funded, simpler and less bureaucratic scheme

Key messages 

Key messages