Changes to adult social care

Why changes are being made

The government is making changes to adult social care across England over the next few years. This is sometimes called social care reform.

These changes will help to improve people’s experience of adult social care.

Over time, we will be speaking to people who use adult social care services to help people understand the changes and what it means for you.

Some of these changes are still in their early stages. This web page will be regularly updated as more information becomes available.

More information can be found on the Department of Health and Social Care website

Check the adult social care white paper

What’s changing

Cost of care

In the November 2022 Autumn Statement, the Government announced the Adult Social Care Charging Reform will be delayed until 2025.

Charging Reform & Cost of care

From October 2025 the government has proposed that:

• there will be a cap on personal care costs of £86,000 (any costs before this date won’t be counted towards the cap)
• there will be changes to the cost of care, with more people receiving financial support with their care costs
• people will be able to request that the council arranges their care, including people who are self-funders 

We are working with local care homes and companies that provide support to people at home, to make sure that costs are fair, clear and consistent.

More information can be found on the Department of Health and Social Care website

Other changes

There will be:

• some government investment available for housing, technology and innovative ways of delivering care
• some investment available for organisations working with unpaid carers and those with caring responsibilities
• a new plan for the social care workforce to improve quality of care, training and progression opportunities and provide more mental health and wellbeing resources 
• more joined up working with our partners in health, so people don’t have to keep repeating their story

Median rate for homecare 18+ and care home 65+ services

In line with Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) guidance, we have completed a survey of 18+ homecare and 65+ residential and nursing care providers in the borough to establish a set of ‘median rates’ to provide services in the borough.

We have submitted the outcome of these surveys to DHSC, and attached a report here outlining how the surveys took place and how we calculated the ‘median rates’.

Median rate for homecare 18+ and care home 65+ services