Adult social care priorities for local authorities: what this means for people who use services

News - 23 December 2025

In December 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care published a policy paper setting out national priorities for adult social care in England for 2026 to 2027. The document explains what the government expects local authorities to focus on, how adult social care will be funded, and how progress will be monitored.

This article explains the key points in clear, simple language and what they may mean for people who use adult social care, their families and carers.
Carers Partnership Board

In December 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care published a policy paper setting out national priorities for adult social care in England for 2026 to 2027. The document explains what the government expects local authorities to focus on, how adult social care will be funded, and how progress will be monitored.

This article explains the key points in clear, simple language and what they may mean for people who use adult social care, their families and carers.

What is adult social care?

Adult social care is support provided or arranged by local councils for adults who need help because of disability, illness, mental health needs or older age. This includes care at home, support in the community, supported living, and care homes.

Local authorities have legal duties under the Care Act 2014 to assess needs, provide support where people are eligible, and promote wellbeing and independence.

The government’s overall aim

The government says it wants to work towards a national care service, where everyone has the opportunity to live independently, safely and with dignity, regardless of where they live.

The policy sets out three main objectives for adult social care:

  • Improving the quality of care and support
  • Giving people more choice and control
  • Improving how well health and social care services work together

Three national priorities for local authorities

For 2026 to 2027, local authorities are expected to work towards three priority outcomes:

1. Better quality care and support

People who use adult social care, and their carers, should experience high-quality care delivered by a skilled and supported workforce.

2. More independence, choice and control

People should be supported to remain as independent as possible and have choice and control over their care and support where this is achievable.

3. Joined-up health and social care

People should experience joined-up services, so health and social care work better together locally and people do not have to repeat their story multiple times.

These priorities do not replace councils’ legal duties under the Care Act, and they are not statutory guidance. Local authorities are expected to balance national priorities with local needs.

Funding for adult social care

The government has said that:

  • Around £4.6 billion of additional funding for adult social care will be available nationally by 2028 to 2029
  • From 2026 to 2027, funding will be simplified, with several existing adult social care grants combined into councils’ main funding allocation
  • This is intended to give local authorities more flexibility to respond to local needs

Notional funding allocations

For the first time, the government plans to publish notional adult social care funding allocations for each local authority in early 2026.

These figures:

  • Are not spending targets
  • Are not ringfenced
  • Are intended to help councils with planning and budgeting

Actual spending decisions will still depend on local demand, costs and priorities.

Monitoring progress and quality

Progress will be monitored using a range of existing data and metrics, including:

  • Measures from the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework
  • New experimental data on adult social care waiting times
  • Information on council spending and provider fee rates

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) will continue to assess how well local authorities meet their legal duties.

Support for local authorities

Local authorities will continue to receive improvement support from national organisations, including:

  • the Local Government Association
  • the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
  • the Social Care Institute for Excellence
  • Think Local Act Personal

What this means locally

For people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, these priorities influence how adult social care services are planned and delivered locally. This includes:

  • How easy it is to access assessments and support
  • Whether care helps people stay independent
  • How well health and social care services work together
  • How carers are recognised and supported

Local councils will decide how best to use funding and deliver services based on local needs, but national priorities help shape those decisions.

Share your experience

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is independent and listens to people’s experiences of health and social care services. What you tell us helps highlight what is working well and where improvements are needed.

You can share your experience with us online:

Adult social care services
https://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/share-your-views-adult-social-care-services

NHS services
https://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/share-your-views-nhs-services

Your feedback helps ensure local people’s voices are heard by those who plan and deliver services.

Tell us about your experiences

NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved.

Your feedback can help services spot issues that are affecting care for you and your loved ones.

Share your views

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What is Adult Social Care?

Do you or a loved one need help with everyday tasks, support at home, or care after illness or injury? Adult social care may be able to help.

Social care is different from the treatment you receive from the NHS. While it can include some medical support, social care focuses on practical help so people can live as independently as possible. This care is usually delivered at home, in a care home, or in the community rather than at a GP practice or hospital.

Understanding what support is available – and how to pay for it – can feel overwhelming. Here are the key things you need to know.

✅ How do I get help through adult social care?

The first step is to contact your local council’s adult social care team and request an assessment.

Depending on your situation, you may receive:

A Care/Needs Assessment – if you need support yourself

A Carers Assessment – if you provide unpaid care for someone else

Discharge to Assess / Home First – if you have just left hospital and need support at home

NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) – for people with very complex medical needs and ongoing care requirements (this involves a separate assessment)

Assessments are free, and all adults aged 18 or over are entitled to one.

✅ Who can access adult social care?

You may be able to receive support if you are:

An older person

Living with a disability or long-term condition

Recovering from illness, surgery or hospital treatment

Struggling with daily activities at home

If you have family or friends helping with your care, you may not need to pay for all services. Unpaid carers can also receive support with training, wellbeing and respite breaks.

If you qualify, your council will work with you to create a personalised care plan tailored to your needs.

✅ How do I pay for social care?

The council will carry out a financial assessment (often called a “means test”) to decide whether:

Your care will be free

You will contribute towards the cost

You will pay the full cost

This assessment looks at your income, savings, property and other financial assets.

If you qualify for financial support, your council will give you a personal budget that can be used to pay for local services.

Some people with very complex health needs may receive free NHS Continuing Healthcare. If not eligible, you may still qualify for NHS-funded nursing care, where the NHS pays for nursing support in a care home.

✅ What support can social care provide?

Local authorities are responsible for arranging care services. These may be delivered directly by the council, or by local care providers.

Support can include:

home care - personal care including task such as washing, dressing, personal hygiene and food preparation
residential/nursing care
supported accommodation/extra care housing
day services - social activities, meals, health support, meeting others
equipment/adaptations - to support independent living
information and advice
respite care - short-term care so unpaid carers can take time off
reablement - short-term support to help people regain skills after illness or injury

✅ Where can I get more information?

All local authorities have an information and advice service to help you understand:

Care assessments

Eligibility and financial support

Choosing care providers

Personal budgets

Advocacy

Safeguarding concern

If you or a loved one are struggling to get the social care you need, we want to hear from you. Your experiences help us challenge local services and improve support for everyone.

📞 Contact Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
📧 information service@healthwatchcambspboro.co.uk



✅ What’s your experience?

Is getting the support you need too complicated?
Have you been refused care or struggled after hospital discharge?

Click on the link below, to access more Healthwatch England information, to contact Cambridgeshire County Council or to tell us your story.
Your feedback helps services improve.
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