KCC Urges government to Act on Adult Social Care Funding Crisis

The Council has warned that rising costs, increasing demand, and insufficient central government support have left even core care services “stretched to the brink.”

Despite this pressure, KCC has continued to strive to find efficiencies and deliver effective, person centred services for residents. New Operational Delivery Plans have been developed to reduce waiting times and access to frontline operational teams made easier by creating 4 area based Adult Social Care Connect teams who support people at first point of contact with the department and 23 community teams situated directly in local communities, working across all areas of adult social care.

There is increased choice for people who draw on care on how they wish to be supported including ability to self-refer via the Better Care Support tool and initiatives where people have input into how their services are developed. There has been increased participation from people with lived experience of social care.

Working in partnership with people that access adult social care, through co-production, has been recognised as a strength in Kent. People with lived experience of accessing social care in Kent play a key role in co-chairing forums, projects and boards to influence the future of support. Early involvement in the design of social care helps to create effective and efficient support that meets the needs of communities.

An Involvement and Information team supports frontline efforts by facilitating regular in-person involvement groups across the county and building closer community links with partner organisations. The aim is to hear and act upon local experiences across the breadth of social care, including carers’ support, direct payments, mental health provision and learning disability services. The groups provide useful information and resources as well as gathering innovative ideas generated by communities to improve social care.

Also, the award-winning Technology Enhanced Lives Service (TELS) has, in its first year, helped 4339 people lead independent lives in their own homes through the provision of technology such as sensors, monitor and alarms.

However, Kent faces significant financial challenges in adult social care this year and next, driven by demographic pressures, high-cost placements, and the soaring expense of complex care.

In a stark message, the Council cautioned that it is being forced to scale back or delay non statutory but still vital preventative services such as early intervention, day services, reablement, and supported living which are proven to reduce long-term costs and help residents remain healthy and independent.

Diane Morton, KCC Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health said: “I am extremely proud of the fantastic work being done by our Adult Social Care team under such great pressure. But no council can consistently deliver the best quality care without the right funding settlement to match demand. The current funding model is broken and no longer fit for purpose.

“Early intervention via prevention services should be the foundation of a sustainable care system, not an optional extra cut to save money in the short-term resulting in long term issues escalating.

“Kent deserves better.

“Our residents deserve dignity and timely support, not waiting lists and ever-higher service thresholds. We urge the government to match its ambitions for health and care integration with realistic funding and meaningful reform.”

The Council is backing ADASS’s call for urgent, long-term, and sustainable investment in adult social care, including a dedicated funding stream for prevention services. Without such action, KCC and councils across the country will be left “firefighting”, responding to emergencies rather than continuing to building resilient, person-centred services.