Issue

Adult social care

76 stories · discussed at 42 council meetings · 29 councils

Councils face rising demand and financial pressures in adult social care, while focusing on performance and strategic planning.

Councils are currently grappling with significant financial pressures and rising demand for adult social care, which provides support for adults with care needs. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-2027, citing pressures in placements and staffing, as reported in September 2026. Enfield Council approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026, directing funds to adult social care due to demand growth. Hackney also reported a tripling of safeguarding concerns from 2024/25 to 2025/26, increasing pressure on services.

Performance of adult social care services is also a key focus. Sutton's services were rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2025, praised for Technology Enabled Care, as reported in September 2026. Lewisham's services also received a 'Good' CQC rating in August 2026, though areas for improvement included support for unpaid carers. Kingston Council approved a new adult social care strategy for 2026-2029 in September 2026, focusing on independence and enhanced support for unpaid carers.

Looking ahead, Hackney's Cabinet will meet on 6 October 2026, and Lewisham's Mayor and Cabinet on 7 October 2026, with adult social care on their agendas. Adult social care refers to services provided by local authorities to support adults with care and support needs due to age, illness, or disability.

Key facts

  1. Sutton's adult social care services were rated 'Good' by the CQC in 2025, achieving a 70% score. Source 1 Source 2
  2. Hackney's safeguarding concerns tripled from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26. Source
  3. Islington's adult social care services exceeded their 2025/26 care home admission target of 190, with 197 admissions. Source
  4. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for the 2026-2027 financial year, partly due to adult social care pressures. Source
  5. Enfield Council approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026, directing funds to Adult Social Care. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Sutton's Adult Social Care Rated 'Good' by CQC, Praised for Technology and Efficiency Sutton's adult social care services have been rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), a significant achievement for the borough's services which are facing rising... Sutton 26 September 2026
  2. Sutton Council Faces Rising Demand and Financial Pressures in Adult Social Care Despite 'Good' CQC Rating Sutton Council is intensifying its efforts to meet the growing demand in adult social care, as highlighted in a recent People Committee meeting. The committee received an update... Sutton 26 September 2026
  3. Safeguarding Concerns in Hackney Triple, Report Highlights Rise in Self-Neglect and Younger Adult Cases Safeguarding concerns in Hackney have tripled in the past year, with the number of reported cases rising from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26, a report presented to the... Hackney 24 September 2026
  4. Islington Adult Social Care Exceeds Care Home Admission Target Amidst Strong Overall Performance Islington's adult social care services have seen an increase in admissions to residential and nursing care homes, exceeding the council's target for the 2025/26 financial year.... Islington 23 September 2026
  5. Hounslow Council Adopts Financial Strategy 2026-2030 Hounslow Council has formally adopted its One Hounslow Financial Strategy 2026-2030 during a Borough Council meeting held on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. The strategy, presented... Hounslow 20 September 2026
  6. Bromley Council Projects £4.5 Million Overspend Amidst Social Care and Investment Property Pressures Bromley Council is facing a projected £4.5 million overspend for the 2026-2027 financial year, according to budget monitoring data presented to the Executive. Bromley 20 September 2026
  7. Adult social care strategy prioritises independence and carer support Kingston Council's People Committee has approved a new adult social care strategy for 2026-2029, with a strong focus on promoting independence, increasing choice and control... Kingston upon Thames 19 September 2026
  8. Savings programme lags as Redbridge budget concerns grow Redbridge Council is facing a growing budget deficit, with a forecast overspend of £8.485 million for the General Fund in the 2026/27 financial year. This figure represents an... Redbridge 16 September 2026