ADASS launches strategy to transform adult social care

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has published a strategy to transform adult social care in England.

From providing better support for carers to meeting the needs of service users and tackling ongoing workforce pressures, leaders in the space have warned that social care has “run out of road” to continue the way it is.

The report, ‘A roadmap for reforming care and support in England’, focuses on ten key areas for improvement:

  1. Reimagine care and support with people who draw upon it.

  2. Improve assessment and care planning to put people in the lead.

  3. Build community capacity for wellbeing and prevention.

  4. Enable more people to live at home or in a place they call home.

  5. Improve support for carers.

  6. Join up care and support to enable people to live fulfilled lives.

  7. Make care and support accessible and affordable for all.

  8. Foster diverse and sustainable providers, focused on outcomes.

  9. Harness the potential of digital technology.

  10. Redesign and reward the workforce.

It categorises which changes need to be made in the next two years, as well as changes that need to happen in the longer term.

The authors also highlight adjustments that can be made on a local level, without the need for much funding.

The report further emphasises that the decisions around social care should be made by and in collaboration with service users and their families, rather than dictated by the bureaucracy.

Overall, the ‘Time to Act’ strategy aims to address key failings in social care and deliver “quality care and support”.

Sarah McClinton, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said: “After decades of false dawns on reforms and funding, never in my professional career have I seen the adult care system so close to breaking point. Millions of people are in pain or distress because they aren’t getting the care they need and family and friends picking up the pieces are being pushed to the edge.

“We’ve been trying to patch-up social care for years, but we’ve run out of road. We need to act now to save social care. We don’t expect the Government to wave a magic wand, but we do need the political will to invest in a long-term plan to ensure good care is available to everyone, everywhere.

“And the Government must back local leaders and local people to take charge of fixing care in their communities because they know what’s needed. What’s impressive in this report is that despite the odds we’ve faced – the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, chronic underfunding – local people are showing what’s possible. But they need the backing of the whole country to make it happen everywhere.”

To find out more about the changes being proposed, read the full report here.

Speak to our specialist consultants on 0203 8929 340 today to discuss our current social work opportunities.

carlette Isaac

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