Adult social care services in England will soon be `unsustainable’ if current budgetary pressures continue, and significant measures are not taken to inject new money into local social care economies.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) annual budget survey released today shows that the cash invested in services will reduce by a further 1.9% in 2014-15: a sum equivalent to £266 million.
The survey is based on returns from 95 per cent of adult social services departments.
The survey also shows that directors feel gloomy about the future, with the pace of adult social care savings projected to continue at an accelerated trajectory for 2015/16. This will create further significant instability at the crucial time when the Care Act reforms and the Better Care Fund plans are due to be implemented.
- Nearly 50 per cent think that fewer people will be able to access care services,
- An equal number believe that people will get smaller personal budgets,
- Over a half think care providers are facing financial difficulty, and
- Nearly 60 per cent think there will be increased costly legal challenges.
To find out more go to http://www.adass.org.uk/social-care-services-unsustainable-adass/