Adult social care
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
- Sutton's adult social care services were rated 'Good' by the CQC in 2025, achieving a 70% score. Source 1 Source 2
- Hackney's safeguarding concerns tripled from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26. Source
- Islington's adult social care services exceeded their 2025/26 care home admission target of 190, with 197 admissions. Source
- Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for the 2026-2027 financial year, partly due to adult social care pressures. Source
- 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.