Wigan Council x Agilisys Transform

EHCPs can take far too long, putting strain on caseworkers and delaying critical support for families. The Agilisys Needs Assessment tool has helped social workers reduce workload, improve efficiency, and meet statutory deadlines - all while saving money. ​

Watch their journey and see how the Needs Assessment tool is saving Social Workers valuable time per Needs Assessment, ensuring compliance, and making life easier for social workers and residents

EDITOR’S INSIGHT💬

Beyond the Cuts: Reframing Reform in Adult Social Care

The UK’s adult social care sector finds itself once again on the front line of fiscal reform. With billions in welfare cuts announced, concerns are rightly mounting—but this moment also demands a shift in mindset. Rather than viewing reform solely through the lens of loss, care leaders have an opportunity to reimagine resilience.

Much of the current debate has focused on benefit allocation, but for providers, the bigger question is how to sustain quality care with tighter margins and shifting expectations. One answer lies in the workforce. With international recruitment increasingly fragile, the sector must double down on local workforce development—not just to fill roles, but to build long-term care careers rooted in community connection.

Innovation will also be key—but it must be practical. Wolverhampton’s tech-enabled care trials offer a blueprint, showing how remote monitoring and predictive tools can reduce hospital admissions and empower frontline workers to intervene earlier.

What’s needed now is a sector-led response: partnerships that share data and insight, investment in scalable technologies, and a renewed focus on place-based care planning. In an era of national belt-tightening, it’s the providers who can link strategic innovation with compassionate delivery that will lead the next chapter of adult social care.

This isn’t just about surviving reform. It’s about shaping what comes next—with dignity, vision, and purpose at the centre.

SOCIAL CARE CRISIS

England's Social Care Faces Critical Challenges Amid Aging Population

England's adult social care system teeters on the brink of collapse, strained by an ageing population, inadequate funding, and a severe recruitment crisis. In Greater Manchester, the daily lives of care workers highlight the overwhelming pressures faced: juggling heavy workloads with insufficient resources. These challenges not only threaten the quality of care for the elderly but also the sustainability of the system itself.

Immediate reform is crucial to halt the deterioration of this sector, which serves as a lifeline for countless individuals. Policy-makers must prioritise innovative solutions and sustainable funding to support the workforce and ensure the provision of high-quality care. The survival of England's social care hinges on urgent and decisive action to meet this growing demand.

SOCIAL CARE POLICY

Care England Creates Board to Impact Social Care for Working-Age Adults

Care England has established the Working Age Adult Policy Board to enhance advocacy and address the needs of working-age adults within social care. This board will play a crucial role in influencing policy by uniting sector leaders, providing a platform for strategic discussions, and ensuring that these adults' needs remain a priority. Its formation marks a significant step towards reform, aligning with Care England's agenda to drive sector-wide improvements.

The board's mission is to translate dialogue into tangible outcomes, with Tim Davies as the newly elected Chair committed to championing distinctive challenges. It emphasises evidence-based advocacy and robust representation in policy discussions, aiming to achieve measurable improvements. Leaders across the sector, such as Peter Kinsey and Andrea Kinkade, express optimism that this initiative will address overlooked challenges and advance the well-being of working-age adults, underscoring the board's role in fostering fulfilling lives.

BUDGET CRISIS

Falkirk Faces £21m Health And Social Care Budget Shortfall

DISABILITY REFORMS

Government's Pip Benefit Cuts Will Financially Burden Councils and NHS

Recent government proposals to cut £5 billion from disability benefits, specifically involving the Personal Independence Payment (Pip), risk imposing substantial financial strains on social services and the NHS. Up to 1.2 million people might lose their eligibility by 2029, which could lead to worsened health conditions and increased reliance on council-funded care. Critics argue that the cuts will not only burden cash-strapped local authorities but could also disrupt existing care systems, creating costly delays and inefficiencies.

Campaigners warn that as local councils step in to cover the loss of Pip funds, costs will escalate, potentially leading to a £1.2 billion spike in NHS and social care expenses. These changes target individuals with disabilities that have broader, though not severely specific, impacts—and diminish the financial resources councils use for care. The Local Government Association stresses that losing Pip contributions will lead to higher council expenses, exacerbating an already strained social care system.

SOCIAL CARE CRISIS

England's Care Home Crisis Highlights Numerous Failures in Meeting Quality Standards

Recent inspections reveal a significant crisis in England's care sector, with almost one in five care homes failing to meet basic standards. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) identified over 2,500 homes that are inadequate or require improvement, highlighting a postcode lottery of care quality. Shockingly, areas like Liverpool and Camden see up to 40% of homes underperforming. This ineffectiveness stems from poor local authority commissioning and unsustainable fee structures, according to experts like Professor Martin Green of Care England.

The CQC, struggling with internal challenges, admits that out-of-date reports further erode public trust. Calls for urgent reforms are echoed by officials and stakeholders, who demand rapid completion of the government's ongoing social care review. Current inefficiencies not only compromise care but also add to the growing strain on the NHS, underscoring the need for immediate action.

SOCIAL CARE CUTS

East Sussex Faces Major Adult Social Care Budget Cuts Debate

East Sussex is facing significant adult social care cuts, leading to an urgent debate about the future of critical services. The council's cabinet has proposed measures that would see a £3.99m reduction in the adult social care budget for 2025-26. Among the measures is the proposed closure of Linden Court, a crucial day service for individuals with learning disabilities, aiming for annual savings of £327,000. The potential impact on districts during an ongoing governmental reorganisation process has been a major point of contention.

Additionally, funding for the Housing-Related Floating Support Service, aiding those at risk of homelessness, is set for a drastic reduction from £4.3m to £500,000. This cut is projected to save nearly £1.94m but raises concerns about the long-term effects on vulnerable communities. Debates are expected to be intense, as councillors weigh the financial savings against the possible social repercussions, highlighting the urgent need for a balanced and fair decision-making process.

WELFARE REFORM DEBATE

Balancing Welfare Reform With Mental Health Support For Sustainable Employment

Welfare reform in the UK is creating added pressure on mental health services, with benefit sanctions and changes to Universal Credit contributing to increased stress, anxiety, and isolation among vulnerable individuals. Charities warn that financial insecurity is worsening existing conditions and hindering recovery. While the government emphasises the need to promote employment and reduce dependency, mental health advocates argue that current policies lack nuance and compassion. There's a growing call for a more balanced approach—one that supports economic goals while safeguarding mental wellbeing, particularly for those already struggling.

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