Research from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care (ADASS) reveals a stark rise in young adults needing high-cost care, while councils struggle to fund demands.
Published this morning, the report cites workforce challenges and the transfer of responsibilities from the NHS to local authorities – without matching funding – as key drivers of the increase.
Across England, directors have recorded a 30% rise in the number of 18 to 24-year-olds whose care packages exceed £7,000 per week. These high-cost packages support young people with physical and learning disabilities and/or mental health conditions, including complex trauma.
Freya Viles, 24, is one of those affected. Freya has cerebral palsy and relies on a hoist to transfer in and out of her power chair.
‘I want to live the way other young people do – leading a normal busy life, and choosing who I have around me,’ Freya said. ‘Having a direct payment to employ PAs would give me choice and control, but I’ve been told it costs too much. Instead, I have live-in support and have now had more than 30 different carers from three agencies meaning I really struggle to build relationships of trust.
‘It’s frustrating because cost is deciding what my adulthood looks like instead of me. I often must balance my lifestyle and the carers. I want to highlight the importance of the right support to allow everyone to live the life they want.’
Directors estimate a projected £623m overspend for 2025/26 – the largest at this point in the year since the pandemic. They also expect £869m in savings to be required in 2026/27.
Jess McGregor, ADASS president and exclusive director of adults of health at Camden Council, added: ‘Councils overspending on adult social care isn’t about abstract numbers – it’s about the unmet needs of real people.
‘Nowhere is this more evidence than for young adults with complex needs, like Freya, whose care and support ensures they can live full and independent lives.
‘The underfunding of adult social care is forcing councils to make impossible choices – trying to balance financial sustainability with doing the right thing for those who rely on us.’
Today’s findings have been published ahead of the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Bournemouth and before the Autumn Budget. As such, ADASS is calling for investment in preparation for adulthood and full funding for new pay and employment obligations.
Commenting on the research, Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, chair of the Local Government Association’s health and wellbeing committee, said: ‘This important annual survey strongly reinforces the hard work of councils doing all they can to ensure everyone who draws on care and support can live independent lives.
‘But the overspend is also another reminder of the huge financial pressure councils are under, and the incredibly difficult decisions they are having to make about care, just to ensure they are meeting their statutory responsibilities.’
‘The rise in the number requests for high-cost care for younger working age people is a message to us all, that social care is about everyone and effects all of us, directly or indirectly,’ Taylor continued. ‘We desperately need the sector to be put on a sustainable financial footing to ensure that people do not suffer and everyone who draws on care and support can access what they need.’
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