People waiting for assessments, care or reviews: BASW England responds to ADASS member survey

Brexit, the pandemic and austerity are recognised as major issues that continue to impact access to adult social care

The Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have published its latest member survey findings, which looks at the numbers of people who are waiting for different aspects of adult social care.

Brexit, the pandemic and austerity are recognised as major issues that continue to impact access to adult social care. This is something that has regularly been raised by ADASS members, partners and is something we hear from BASW members too.

The growing cost of living crisis is undeniably going to be a major factor which will affect access to adult social care going forward too.

The survey findings underline the striking growth in the number of people waiting for different aspects of care and support, with six hundred people a day joining waiting lists.

Whilst the government claims it is fixing social care the reality could not be more different and therefore BASW England reaffirms it demands for immediate intervention from government to help avoid catastrophe this winter.

Headline figures:

  • On the 30 April 2022 more than 540,000 people were estimated to be waiting for assessments, care, Direct Payments, or adult social care reviews – 37% (36.9%) increase since November 2021.
  • 294,449 people are awaiting care assessments, which represents a 30% (30.2%) increase in the number of people waiting for assessments compared to 31st March 2022.
  • 1 in 4 (73,792 who had been waiting for assessments, had been waiting more than six months.
  • 17% (16.8%) more people are waiting six months for a social care assessment since 31st March 2022 and 79.1% increase in the numbers waiting for six months or more since November 2021.
  • An extra 11,000 people awaiting care & support or direct payments to begin – an increase of 40% (39.8%) in just one month.
  • The number of people who are waiting more than twelve months for a Care Act review is up 3% (2.9%), having fallen 6% in March 2022.

These results come soon after the recent ADASS Spring Budget Survey, which exposed an increased demand in adult social care with increases in referrals and significant challenges facing the NHS. Repsonding to the ADASS Spring Budget Survey, BASW England urged "immediate action from government, including a significant funding package and a proper plan to help protect and support the health and social care workforce in this country."

Maris Stratulis, National Director (BASW England) said: “The situation in adult social care is in crisis and the ADASS member survey confirms this.

“BASW England members have been telling us that social care services are at breaking point, with mounting pressures on people needing support, carers and a sector that is struggling to fill vacancies and retain staff.

“We desperately need government intervention and sustainable financial investment to support those in need including supporting people to remain living in their own homes and local communities.  It is imperative that this national crisis is addressed as the situation is deteriorating day by day, resulting in significant wellbeing and financial pressures on individuals, carers, families and the workforce - intervention is needed now and prior to the additional winter pressures."

Jackie Mahoney, Co-Chair BASW England Adult Group said: “Urgent attention and action from Government to the issues that are reinforced in this report is what is needed now. Holding Government to account on their promise to fix social care with social work and BASW England recognised as a vital contributor in developing solutions.”

BASW England members have been telling us that social care services are at breaking point, with mounting pressures on people needing support, carers and a sector that is struggling to fill vacancies and retain staff.
Maris Stratulis, BASW England National Director