'Avalanche of need' rising from pandemic sees almost 75,000 people wait for care

Most directors of adult social services (82 per cent) in England's councils are more worried about the survival of home care providers in 2021 than they were in 2020 (75 per cent), as an “avalanche of need” arising from the pandemic leaves almost 75,000 people waiting for care.

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Almost 75,000 disabled, older people and carers are waiting for care and support as demand for social care has increased rapidly in all age groups, according to the ADASS (Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) Spring survey.

As well as home care providers, 77 per cent of council directors say they are concerned about care home providers, according to the survey which lays out the financial state of the country's adult social care.

Over 50,000 people are still waiting for social care needs assessments and almost 7,000 people have been waiting more than six months for an assessment.

'Human story' of someone unable to lead their life

Stephen Chandler, ADASS president, said: “Many directors are saying they have never seen such an avalanche of need.

“Tens of thousands of people have lost their independence during the pandemic, suffered fresh distress or seen existing care and support arrangements break down. Many have delayed coming forward until now.

“Behind every one of the 75,000 cases of people waiting for an assessment or for care and support is a human story of someone unable to lead the life they want to lead and enjoy the minimum that any of us would want to guarantee for our fellow citizens.”

Of the 147 directors surveyed between May 20 and June 18, some 49 per cent of directors are more worried about being able to fund complex care for people of working age who have disabilities than being able to support older people. Just three per cent of directors said they are worried most about helping older people.

Help care providers 'operate sustainably'

Dr Jane Townson, the chief executive of United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) which represents more than 2,300 domiciliary care providers in the UK, said: "Home-based care and support should be available to everyone who needs it”.

"We are calling on the government to invest in social care now to enable us all to live well at home and flourish in our communities, regardless of age or ability, prevent people’s needs escalating".

She also urged the government "to properly reward and value the care workforce who have cared with bravery and dedication throughout this pandemic, to support the NHS and to ensure that our social care providers are able to operate sustainably."

Four fifths of directors do not think they can meet their care duties

The ADASS survey highlights state funding of social care is a total of £16bn this year.

Council directors say government funding is insufficient to fund the cost of National Living Wage increases and the costs of increasing demographic pressures.

Spending on adult care was £61 million over budget (all local authorities) in 2020/21 but councils are being forced to collectively find £601 million in savings in 2021/22 - representing on average 3.7 per cent of budgets.

Four fifths of directors say they are not confident they can make the planned savings this year or meet all of their care duties required by law.

Dr Rhidian Hughes, chief executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) said: ”Society works when we invest in social care to support individuals and communities. The ADASS Spring Survey makes a grim assessment: people’s needs are not being met, and current funding levels indicate the situation will not improve any time soon.

“This report further demonstrates how services for disabled people are at risk of being underfunded and consequently disabled people and their families not receiving the vital care and support required to live full and independent lives.

“Government must make good. It must heed these findings and make a choice – we can’t level up this country without levelling up social care.”

Mr Chandler wants to see the government produce its social care reform plans “without further delay”.

“Those plans must address the needs of people of working age as well as older people."