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Adult Social Care

80 stories · discussed at 52 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are currently grappling with significant financial pressures in adult social care while also responding to recent service performance assessments.

Several councils are reporting significant financial pressures in adult social care, services provided to adults who need support with their health and wellbeing. Bexley Council forecasts a £0.6 million overspend in October 2026 due to rising demand. Sutton Council faces a £36.5 million budget gap over three years, partly driven by increasing adult social care demand. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-27, with adult social care placements and staffing contributing to pressures. Enfield Council approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026 to address adult social care pressures.

Recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessments have highlighted varying service performance. Lambeth's adult social care received an overall 'Good' rating in May 2026, with an 'Outstanding' for Equity. Sutton's services were rated 'Good' by the CQC in 2025, praised for Technology Enabled Care. Lewisham's adult social care also received a 'Good' CQC rating in August 2026, but identified areas for improvement including support for unpaid carers and assessment delays. Hackney reported a tripling of safeguarding concerns from 2024/25 to 2025/26.

Councils are also developing strategies to address these challenges. Kingston Council's People Committee approved a new adult social care strategy for 2026-2029 in September 2026, prioritising independence and carer support. Lewisham Council is set to enhance unpaid carer support following its CQC inspection. Enfield Council adopted a new four-year strategic plan in September 2026, which includes adult social care. Newham Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to discuss the topic on 27 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Bexley Council forecasts a £0.6 million overspend in its revenue budget for social care due to rising demand, as reported in October 2026. Source
  2. Sutton Council faces a projected budget gap of £36.5 million over the next three years, partly due to rising demand in adult social care, as reported in October 2026. Source
  3. Lambeth's Adult Social Care services received an overall 'Good' rating from the CQC in May 2026, achieving 78 out of 100. Source
  4. Hackney reported that safeguarding concerns tripled from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26, according to a September 2026 report. Source
  5. Kingston Council's People Committee approved a new adult social care strategy for 2026-2029 in September 2026, focusing on independence and carer support. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. 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 22 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 6

  1. Islington Adult Social Care Faces Care Home Admission Challenges Despite Strong Reablement Performance Adult social care in Islington is facing challenges with new admissions to care homes, despite strong performance in reablement services. Islington 14 March 2026
  2. Haringey Council to Procure Home Care and Reablement Services Haringey Council's Cabinet has approved the commencement of a procurement process for adult social care home care and reablement services. The decision, made during a meeting on... Haringey 14 March 2026
  3. Adult Social Care levy adds £40 to Croydon bills Croydon Council tax bills are set to increase by an average of £119.43 for the 2026-27 financial year, with a significant portion of this rise attributed to a dedicated levy for... Croydon 4 March 2026
  4. Croydon Council Tax to rise by nearly £120 for Band D properties Croydon Council Tax is set to increase by nearly £120 for properties in Band D, bringing the total annual charge to £2,599.91 for the 2026-27 financial year. The decision was... Croydon 4 March 2026
  5. GLA precept increase adds £20 to Croydon Council Tax Croydon residents will face an average council tax increase of £119.43 for the 2026-27 financial year, following a decision by the Council Tax Setting Committee. The rise... Croydon 4 March 2026
  6. Southwark Council Approves 4.99% Council Tax Hike Amidst Budget Deficit Southwark Council has approved a 4.99% increase in council tax for the upcoming financial year, a decision made during a Council Assembly meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Southwark 1 March 2026
  7. Bexley Council faces £1.76m budget overspend Bexley Council is facing a projected budget overspend of £1.76 million for the 2025/26 financial year, according to a report presented to the Public Cabinet meeting on Monday,... Bexley 25 February 2026
  8. Bexley Council's Adult Social Care faces £3.6m overspend due to increased placements and inflation Bexley Council's Adult Social Care and Public Health Directorate is facing a projected overspend of £3.621 million for the current financial year, as revealed in draft budget... Bexley 6 February 2026