Social care leaders call for funding to move away from care homes

Directors of adult social services have called for a shift of funding and emphasis away from care homes towards improving care at home.

In the first part of the ADASS Autumn Survey 2023 (the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services), almost two thirds (63 per cent) of directors said that preventative services (community-based care and support) is not widely available in their local area. This limits their ability to reduce avoidable admissions to hospital and residential care.

Respondents also flagged up the significant lack of intermediate support in residential care homes. Over 80 per cent agreed that a shift away from formal care settings, such as care homes, would reduce adult social expenditure.

Social care leaders identified sheltered and extra care housing for people with dementia as a key solution, as well as new homes built to accessibility standards.

Commenting on the report, ADASS President, Beverley Tarka, said: “[We need to] flick the switch and begin to deliver a shift from a predominant focus on meeting the needs of people in crisis, to one where we aim to keep people as healthy as possible, for as long as possible.”