Following the publication of the 2018/19 annual Budget Survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), emphasising the need for a sustainable funding solution to social care, national disability charity Sense is calling on the Government to recognise this in the upcoming Social Care Green Paper.

The ADASS Budget Survey 2018/19 revealed that 75% of directors said it is important or very important for them to reduce the number of people in receipt of care in order for councils to achieve necessary savings.

ADASS has called for the Green Paper to find a long-term, sustainable solution to fund adult social care; with only nine of the 150 directors saying they felt optimistic about the financial state of the wider health and social care economy in their area over the next 12 months.

Sarah White, Head of Public Policy at Sense, said: “Today’s report from ADASS further confirms that the social care system needs an urgent solution to enable it to provide the vital support that disabled people need.

“Many of the people we support rely on social care services to enable them to live independently, with dignity and as active members of their community; however, in recent years, as repeated cuts have taken their toll, these essential services are being withdrawn and fewer people are able to access the vital support they need for their day-to-day life. 

“The government must recognise in the imminent Social Care Green Paper, that it is now or never for social care, by delivering the funds and long-term sustainability plan that councils and care providers need, in order to maintain quality services for all who need them.”

www.sense.org.uk