News & campaigns
Statements
ADASS responds to announcement on social care commission and support measures
In response to the announcement of a new social care commission and additional support measures for the sector, Melanie Williams, President of ADASS, said: “We welcome the announcement of a new independent commission on adult social care, which is needed now more than ever with record numbers of people seeking support. ADASS is ideally placed […]
3 January 2025
Blog
ADASS President’s end of year reflection
ADASS President, Melanie Williams reflects on the end of 2024, including giving evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee's inquiry on 'The 10 Year Plan' for the NHS.
23 December 2024
Statements
Local Government Provisional Finance Settlement Response
In response to today’s (Wednesday 18 December 2024) provisional local government finance settlement, Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said: “While this additional funding is welcome, there remains a funding gap of over £1bn for adult social care to even standstill next year, which means councils won’t be able […]
18 December 2024
Blog
Mental Health Bill and the need for change
Claire Barcham. Senior Officer, Policy and Practice for ADASS, shares her views on the Mental Health Bill and the need for change.
16 December 2024
Blog
Reflections on the National Children and Adults Services Conference (NCASC) 2024
Sally Burlington, CEO of ADASS, shares her reflections from the National Children and Adults Services Conference (NCASC) 2024.
3 December 2024
Statements
ADASS President’s NCASC 2024 Speech
Introduction and thanks To NCASC 2024 on behalf of ADASS, ADCS, and the LGA. I am Melanie Williams, President of ADASS. ADASS has organised the programme this year, the convention is that we open the conference, and it’s my pleasure to do so today. Welcome conference. This week we come together to collaborate, learn, and […]
27 November 2024
Press Releases
Social care ‘endangered’ by ‘catastrophic’ national insurance increases, warns ADASS President
The Government’s Budget decision to increase employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will have “catastrophic consequences for millions of people drawing on care and support” will warn Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).
27 November 2024
Blog
Shaping neighbourhood care: The role of adult social services in transforming health and wellbeing
The government’s drive to move care into communities will be a cornerstone of next year’s NHS ten-year plan. In this blog, Richard Humphries, ADASS Associate Trustee, explores why adult social care is vital to making this vision a reality.
21 November 2024
Blog
Balancing adult social care: Rising costs, funding gaps, and the path forward
ADASS President, Melanie Williams reflects on the impact of the Autumn Budget on adult social care and the wider community sector.
18 November 2024
Statements
President, Melanie Williams responds to ADASS’s Autumn Survey 2024
In response to the Autumn Survey, President of ADASS Melanie Williams, said: “The financial situation is at breaking point and I’m afraid the latest NICs rise, in addition to the NLW means the adult social care sector is at its limit. Councils have a legal duty to provide care for our disabled and older people, […]
6 November 2024
Blog
From treatment to prevention in health and social care: Hospital acquired deconditioning to reconditioning
Dr Anita Mottram, Principal Occupational Therapist for Kirklees Council, examines evidence on how a shift to reconditioning practices can keep people’s minds and bodies healthy during a hospital stay, with benefits for both health and social care.
4 November 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the Autumn Budget 2024
In response to today’s budget, President of ADASS Melanie Williams, said: “The budget has offered some light relief for local government, with new money announced. In particular, we welcome the £600 million of grant funding for social care and improvements in Carer’s Allowance. “Our last survey showed that councils overspent on adult social care last […]
30 October 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to the Care Quality Commission’s State of Care Report 2023/24
Our response to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC’s) annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England.
25 October 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to Dr Penny Dash review into operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
Our response to the publication of the review into the operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
15 October 2024
Statements
ADASS responds to ‘The state of the adult social Care sector and workforce in England’ report 23/24
In response to Skills for Care’s ‘The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report for 2023/24, Anna Hemmings, CEO of ADASS, said: “The increase in the number of people in direct care roles is positive, but the high churn of recently recruited staff, particularly among our domestic workforce, remains a […]
10 October 2024
Blog
Rethinking Prevention: Are We Making a Costly Mistake?
Richard Keyse, founder and CEO of 2iC-Care, discusses how proactive and preventive intervention in adult social care leads to better outcomes for people and delivers long-term cost savings for councils.
30 September 2024
Blog
ADASS President’s reflections on social care at Labour Party Conference 24
ADASS President Melanie Williams reflects on this year's Labour Party Conference.
27 September 2024
Blog
The future for employed unpaid carers – what are the next steps?
Beverley Tarka, former President of ADASS and current DASS in Haringey, reflects on the Carers UK campaign for a statutory right to paid Carer’s leave and how this could provide the vital support they need.
24 September 2024
Blog
Celebrating the Essential Work of our Social Care Workforce
In celebration of Professional Care Workers' Week 2024, we caught up with Carolyn Nice, Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council as she discusses how she got into social care work, the importance of the Skills for Care Workforce Strategy for Adult Social Care in England and how she thinks the work of social workers and carers can be valued.
19 September 2024
Blog
Hope, Challenge and Change in Adult Social Care
ADASS President Melanie Williams reflects on the relationship between social care and the NHS at the King's Fund Annual Conference 2024.
16 September 2024
Blog
Lord Darzi’s NHS report provides hope for social care
Jess McGregor, Director of Adult Social Services at Camden Council and Vice President of ADASS, shares her thoughts following Lord Darzi's NHS report.
12 September 2024
Statements
ADASS Responds to Lord Darzi’s Report
In response to Lord Darzi’s report, Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said: “We support Lord Darzi’s recommendation to shift focus and funding from hospitals, towards community and mental health services. “But social care must be at the heart of any plans to create a ‘neighbourhood NHS’, otherwise we’re […]
12 September 2024
Statements
ADASS/BASW Joint Statement: The role of the DASS and social workers in disaster recovery
ADASS and BASW England are committed to highlighting the integral role of system leaders and social workers as key workers during disaster and emergency response and recovery.
19 August 2024
Statements
Statement of Understanding: Planned Returns to the UK in Cases Involving Vulnerable Adults
This statement of understanding updates and replaces an understanding agreed between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) in 2019.
15 August 2024