Adult Care Directors warn of impact on vulnerable as two-thirds have cut services

Financial pressures facing the social care sector are impacting on vulnerable older and disabled people, experts have warned.

Some are being forced to find new homes as a result of care and nursing home closures as providers feel the squeeze on spending.

Almost two thirds of councils across England (62%) say they have seen closures in the last six months, a poll found.

And many of the bodies that run services on behalf of councils are handing back their contracts, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said.

It has been suggested that funds councils have to pay for care are not meeting the actual cost of care which is leading to providers terminating their contracts.

The ADASS poll of 129 of the 152 directors of adult social services in England found that 57% have had care providers hand back contracts in the last six months.

ADASS said that the closure of services and handing back of contracts has affected an estimated 10,820 people using council-funded care – with some having to find a new home.

The directors also predicted £441 million overspends for this financial year.

“This survey paints a picture of adult social care verging ever nearer to a point of crisis,” said ADASS immediate past president Ray James (pictured).

“The funding gaps are a huge concern for the sector because the impact this is having on the lives of thousands of older and disabled people, their families and carers, is both significant and extremely worrying.

“Adult social care is entering a perfect storm which is impacting on vulnerable people who are getting less help and whose need for care won’t stop.

“Urgent and significant Government investment is needed now to address funding for the sector, or thousands of people who rely, or hope to rely, on receiving care, will suffer as a result.”

Speaking to the National Children and Adult Services Conference, Mr James added: “Unless things change, adult social care – and more especially the people who need it – will face increasing challenges.”

Half of the directors polled also reported that there had been an increased demand for healthcare activity to be undertaken by social care staff in their area.

The figures come as council leaders warned that money is being diverted away from road repairs, leisure centres and local bus routes in order to maintain the struggling social care sector

The Local Government Association (LGA) said councils are increasingly having to redirect cash from other local services to prop up the funding gaps in the sector.

The King’s Fund said that spending cuts have left social care in a “perilous state”.

And the charity Leonard Cheshire said that it was a “national scandal” that many disabled and older people are being left without adequate support.

On Monday Dr Sarah Wollaston, chairwoman of the Commons Health Committee, called for an urgent cash injection to head off a looming “crisis” in social care.

She said that Chancellor Philip Hammond should allocate more money to the sector when he delivers his first Autumn Statement next month.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “This Government is committed to ensuring older people throughout the country get affordable and dignified care.

“That is why we are significantly increasing the amount of money local authorities have access to for social care, by up to £3.5 billion by 2020.

“We recognise the challenges faced by the sector and are working with the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services to support councils to make efficiencies, whilst meeting their legal duty to ensure a sustainable provider market for their populations.”

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