Issue

Adult Social Care

78 stories · discussed at 39 council meetings · 29 councils

Councils are addressing significant financial pressures and rising demand in adult social care, with recent CQC ratings highlighting service performance.

Lambeth's Adult Social Care services received an overall 'Good' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May 2026, with an 'Outstanding' rating for Equity in Experiences and Outcomes. Sutton's services also received a 'Good' CQC rating in 2025, praised for Technology Enabled Care, though facing rising demand. Lewisham's services were rated 'Good' by the CQC in August 2026, with areas for development including improved support for unpaid carers. Hackney's safeguarding concerns tripled in 2025/26, with a rise in self-neglect and younger adult cases, a report to the Adults Health and Integration Scrutiny Commission revealed in September 2026.

Many councils are addressing significant financial pressures in adult social care. Sutton Council faces a £36.5 million budget gap over the next three years, partly due to rising demand in adult social care, a report to the Strategy and Resources Committee said in October 2026. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-2027, with pressures in care placements and staffing, according to budget monitoring data presented to the Executive in September 2026. Enfield Council's Cabinet approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026, directing funds to adult social care after it faced a £7.7 million overspend.

Kingston Council's People Committee approved a new adult social care strategy for 2026-2029 in September 2026, focusing on promoting independence and supporting unpaid carers. Islington's adult social care services exceeded its care home admission target in Quarter 4 of 2025/26, with the council investigating contributing factors, a performance report to the Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee showed in September 2026. Lewisham's Mayor and Cabinet are scheduled to discuss financial and strategic matters, including adult social care, on 07 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Lambeth's Adult Social Care received an overall 'Good' CQC rating in May 2026. Source
  2. Sutton Council faces a projected budget gap of £36.5 million over the next three years. Source
  3. Hackney's safeguarding concerns tripled from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26. Source
  4. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for the 2026-2027 financial year. Source
  5. Enfield Council's Cabinet approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 7 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 7

  1. Harrow Council targets £9m savings amid rising costs and service demand Harrow Council is grappling with a significant financial challenge, aiming to achieve £9 million in savings over the next three years amidst escalating costs and increasing... Harrow 18 January 2026
  2. Harrow Adult Social Care on track for 'good' CQC rating after leadership overhaul Harrow's Adult Social Care services are nearing a 'good' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), marking significant progress since a previous inspection that... Harrow 18 January 2026
  3. Tower Hamlets Cabinet Approves 2026-27 Budget Amidst Financial Pressures Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet has approved the budget for the 2026-27 financial year, alongside the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026-29. The decision was made... Tower Hamlets 10 January 2026
  4. Harrow Council to Review Fees and Charges for 2026-27 Harrow Council is set to review its fees and charges for the 2026-27 financial year. Harrow 22 December 2025
  5. Enfield Council Considers £15.4M in Savings Amid Funding Uncertainty Enfield Council is considering £15.4 million in savings amid uncertainty over future funding, as revealed in a recent Cabinet meeting. The proposed savings are part of the... Enfield 14 December 2025
  6. H&F Faces £2.16M Overspend Amid Social Care Pressures, Temporary Housing Costs, and Children's Services Hammersmith and Fulham Council is facing a projected £2.16 million overspend in its General Fund, primarily due to rising pressures in adult social care, temporary... Hammersmith and Fulham 10 December 2025
  7. Richmond Council to Debate Adult Social Care Challenges Richmond Council has debated the challenges facing adult social care at a recent meeting, with discussions focusing on financial pressures and innovative solutions. Richmond upon Thames 5 December 2025
  8. Haringey Awards Emergency Social Care Contracts After Insolvency Haringey Council has awarded emergency contracts for adult social care services following the insolvency of the previous provider, ensuring continued care for vulnerable... Haringey 5 December 2025