Adult social care strategy 2026 to 2028

Use of financial resources

The Adult Social Care service has a well-developed budget planning cycle. The service had an annual budget of some £400m gross, net £208.9m (2024/25). Net expenditure increased by 18% from 2023/24. The vast majority of this spend is allocated to individual care packages.

Physical support

People aged:

  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £20,706
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £58,173
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £22,940
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £74,355
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £19,576
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £78,302

Sensory support

People aged:

  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £315,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £236,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £351,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £331,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £178,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £295,000

Support with memory and cognition

People aged:

  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £177,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £6,003,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £182,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £7,405,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £206,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £6,567,000

Learning disability support

People aged:

  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £67,586,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £7,510,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £74,407,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £8,267,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £68,228,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £7,580,000

Mental health support

People aged:

  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £14,249,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £1,695,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £18,736,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £1,814,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £20,546,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £2,032,000

Total

People aged:

  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £103,033,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2023 to 2024: £73,617,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £116,616,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2024 to 2025: £92,172,000
  • 18 to 64 net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £108,734,000
  • 65 and over net expenditure 2025 to 2026 (up to end of Q3): £94,776,000

Various independent analyses of our expenditure show that the service delivers good value for money for the budget we have, for both working age adults and older people.

Despite the overall budget performance, we are facing pressures on the overall cost of care for both working age adults and older people in key service areas such as residential care. The service is working through a suite of cost and demand reduction measures to ensure the Adult Social Care remains financially sustainable.