SCIE responds to the ADASS 2025 Autumn Survey

Today, 25 November 2025, the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has responded to the new Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) 2025 Autumn Survey.

This is an annual survey conducted by ADASS, which is sent to every Director of Adult Social Services in the 153 English councils with social care responsibilities.

This year’s survey points towards adult social care pressures intensifying, putting at further risk the delivery of the government’s priorities on neighbourhood health and shifting activity from hospital to community.

Kathryn Marsden OBE, Chief Executive of SCIE, says:

“This report provides further evidence that rising demand, escalating needs, and intense financial pressures—including significant overspends and savings requirements—are forcing local authorities to prioritise crisis management over early intervention in social care. The effects of a crisis-led system are that fewer people benefit from available resources, and there are fewer opportunities for system reforms.

“The financially strapped social care system will likely compromise the delivery of the government’s three shifts. Early intervention in social care is especially critical to the success of neighbourhood health schemes, which rely on integrating health and social care services. Our evidence shows that early intervention schemes depend on having dedicated capacity, shared digital records, funding alignment, joined-up leadership and common purpose. These enablers are in short supply in crisis-driven systems.

“Another fallout of this mounting pressure is the care market becoming increasingly unstable. Continuing with ‘more of the same’ jeopardises the aim of personalised care by limiting people’s care choices so that they can live the lives they want. An increasing number of people are now being affected by care providers closing, ceasing trading or handing back contracts.

“The ADASS survey also highlights a significant increase in high-cost social care for young adults. We know that young people moving from adolescence into adulthood are at risk of significant harm—especially those with complex needs. Urgent reform is needed to ensure they and their families are supported to manage continuity of care and support in a timely, compassionate and coordinated way.”