A third of councils are not confident of being able to meet all their legal duties under the Care Act 2014 by 2025/26 – a decade after the introduction of the landmark legislation, designed to improve access to vital care and support.
This is despite eight in 10 councils forecasting having to cut spending on other community services to try to protect care services, according to a report and survey of councillors published by the LGA to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the act receiving Royal Assent.
The act pulled together a patchwork of legislation on adult social care and placed duties on councils, including the need to focus on people’s wellbeing and ensure the provision of preventative services.
However, the act has coincided with a rise in people needing to draw on care and support and cuts to funding that have left councils under increasing pressure to do more with less.
The LGA’s report says that in addition to severe funding shortages, the biggest issues facing the sector include recruitment and retention, more people with more complex needs, and the inability to invest in preventative services.
Ahead of the general election, the LGA said all parties need to end the politicisation of adult social care, put the national interest first, and work on a cross-party basis to secure the future of care and support so that people can live the lives they want to lead.
Cllr David Fothergill, the LGA’s Social Care Spokesperson, said: “Councils are doing all they can to ensure they meet their duties under the Care Act, including cutting spending on other neighbourhood services. But many still fear they will not be able to cover the coming years.
“This simply isn’t good enough. It isn’t good enough for people who draw on care and support and it isn’t good enough for the care workers who work incredibly hard for very little financial reward.
“Adult social care needs urgent attention. This must be top of the in-tray for whoever forms the next government.”