Last Updated on July 28, 2026

The latest ADASS Autumn Survey has been published, revealing an increase in high-cost social care for young adults. According to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), this has been driven by the growing complexity of care and support needs, the transfer of support from health to local government care without associated funding, pressures on local government finances and workforce challenges. Directors across England have reported a 30% increase in the number of 18-24-year-olds whose care package costs more than £7,000 per week.

The latest ADASS Autumn Survey report also found:

• Directors are estimating the largest overspend at this point of the year in the post COVID-19 era, with a projected £623m overspend for 2025/26.
• Significant savings will be required from next year’s adult social care budgets totalling £869m savings in 2026/27.
• The Government move to neighbourhood health means adult social care needs a strong voice, yet a third of Directors (34%) say they have very little or no influence over integrated care system structures.
• In terms of healthcare tasks being delegated to adult social care staff, half of Directors said that they do not have an agreement in place with health partners on funding, training or competency frameworks for staff.   

The ADASS Autumn Survey findings also reinforce the importance of the Casey Commission on Adult Social Care. ADASS’ President has given evidence to the Commission encouraging support for children, young people, working-age adults and older people to be more coherent, sustainable and fair.

Commenting on the findings of the latest ADASS Autumn Survey, Jess McGregor, ADASS President and Executive Director Adults and Health at Camden Council, said, 'Councils overspending on adult social care isn't about abstract numbers – it's about the unmet needs of real people. The underfunding of adult social care is forcing councils to make impossible choices – trying to balance financial sustainability with doing the right thing for those who rely on us.'  

Kathryn Marsden OBE, Chief Executive at the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), said, 'This report provides further evidence that rising demand, escalating needs, and intense financial pressures – including significant overspends and savings requirements – are forcing local authorities to prioritise crisis management over early intervention in social care. The effects of a crisis-led system are that fewer people benefit from available resources, and there are fewer opportunities for system reforms.

'The financially strapped social care system will likely compromise the delivery of the Government’s three shifts. Early intervention in social care is especially critical to the success of neighbourhood health schemes, which rely on integrating health and social care services. Our evidence shows that early intervention schemes depend on having dedicated capacity, shared digital records, funding alignment, joined-up leadership and common purpose. These enablers are in short supply in crisis-driven systems.

'Another fallout of this mounting pressure is the care market becoming increasingly unstable. Continuing with "more of the same" jeopardises the aim of personalised care by limiting people’s care choices so that they can live the lives they want. An increasing number of people are now being affected by care providers closing, ceasing trading or handing back contracts.

'The ADASS survey also highlights a significant increase in high-cost social care for young adults. We know that young people moving from adolescence into adulthood are at risk of significant harm – especially those with complex needs. Urgent reform is needed to ensure they and their families are supported to manage continuity of care and support in a timely, compassionate and coordinated way.'

To read the ADASS Autumn Survey 2025, visit the ADASS website.

In other news, a new report published today examines how people receiving social care, carers and families are involved in shaping social care services.