adult social care services
Councils are currently addressing significant financial pressures and workforce shortages affecting adult social care services, while also reviewing performance and audit plans.
In November 2026, Barnet Council's Adults and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee reviewed a report highlighting risks to adult social care services from workforce shortages and long waiting lists. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faced a projected £14.3 million overspend for 2026/27, with adult social care contributing to increased demand and costs, as reported to its Cabinet in September 2026. Tower Hamlets Council also projected an £18.6 million overspend for 2025/26, driven by adult social care costs, according to a July 2026 report.
Hounslow Council's Audit and Governance Committee approved an audit plan for 2026/27 in September 2026, which includes adult social care as a key risk area for review. Haringey Council's Adults & Health Scrutiny Panel discussed an update on the Adult Social Care Improvement Plan in October 2026. Richmond upon Thames' Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee noted its Annual Adults Statutory Complaints Report in September 2026.
Adult social care services provide support to adults needing help with daily living due to age, illness, or disability. In June 2026, Hammersmith and Fulham's Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability Committee heard that adult social care services were showing a positive trajectory with reduced waiting times. Islington's Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee reviewed a Quarter 3 performance report in April 2026, which demonstrated strong performance across key indicators.
Key facts
- Barnet Council's adult social care services are facing risks due to workforce shortages and lengthy waiting lists, according to a November 2026 performance report. Source
- Hammersmith and Fulham Council is facing a projected £14.3 million overspend on its 2026/27 revenue budget, partly due to adult social care costs, as reported in September 2026. Source
- Hounslow Council's Audit and Governance Committee approved an audit plan for 2026/27 in September 2026, which includes adult social care as a key area for review. Source
- Tower Hamlets Council projected an £18.6 million overspend on its General Fund for 2025/26, primarily due to increased demand and cost pressures in adult social care, as reported in July 2026. Source
- Hammersmith and Fulham's adult social care services showed reduced waiting times for assessments in several areas, as heard by a committee in June 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 6 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.