Adult social care

Our work on social care policy, services and reform

Two people standing outside a nursing home

Social care 360

This review outlines and analyses 20 key trends in adult social care in England over recent years. Using a variety of publicly-available data, it provides a uniquely rounded – ‘360 degree’ – view of the sector.

A fork in the road: next steps for social care funding reform

This report published jointly with the Health Foundation pulls together new financial modelling, public perceptions work and policy analysis to identify the problems with adult social care in England and outline options for its reform.

What is social care?

Completed project

What is social care and how does it work?

Our series of short videos and related content is intended to help clarify what social care is, how it’s provided and paid for, and how it works with the NHS and other services.

Social care for older people

Social care for older people: Home truths

This report looks at social care services for older people and the impact of cuts in local authority spending on social care providers and on older people, their families and carers.

Social care: the zombie of modern policy debate

Social care policy has been back in the news but, says Simon Bottery, the debate is staggering around in circles with no clear sense of direction.

The King's Fund responds to the announcement that Four Seasons Health Care has gone in to administration

‘The problems facing Four Seasons show the extreme pressure that the social care system in England is under,' says Simon Bottery at The King's Fund.

More people asking for social care support but fewer getting it as demand leaves social care system at crisis point

Rising disability among working-age adults and a growth in the number of people over 65 is putting rising pressure on the adult social care system in England, new analysis from The King's Fund finds.

The NHS, local authorities and the long-term plan: in it together?

The long-term plan is written by the NHS for the NHS. But how will it work without the full involvement of local authorities? Richard Humphries argues that successful partnerships between local government and the NHS are essential for improving the health and wellbeing of local populations.

Key challenges facing the adult social care sector in England

The scale of the difficulties facing adult social care in England means that doing nothing is no longer an option. Policy-makers need to identify which of the problems facing social care they most want to tackle, and this briefing paper is intended to aid the process by identifying and exploring those key challenges.

Relentless staff shortage leaves home care sector struggling

Squeezed funding and staff shortages are severely affecting home care services in some areas, a new report from The King’s Fund and the University of York has found.

Home care in England: views from commissioners and providers

This report sets out the key issues facing the home care sector based on discussions with commissioners, providers and national social care organisations.

New models of home care

Policy-makers have outlined their ambitions to provide joined-up care closer to home and enable people to remain independent and in their own homes. Home care will be a central component of realising these ambitions. However, there are serious concerns about the state of the home care market and the quality of care service users receive.

Jackie Kennedy: A view from the patient and citizen perspective

Hear how personal health budgets can be used to meet the needs of an individual, particularly for those with long term health conditions and disabilities, offering more choice and control over the money spent.

The King's Fund responds to today's update on Allied Healthcare from the CQC

Responding to today’s update on Allied Healthcare from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Simon Bottery, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, said: 'Over 13,000 people who rely on Allied Healthcare for care and support will be wondering what today’s warning from the CQC means for them.'

The King's Fund responds to new figures from NHS Digital on adult social care

Simon Bottery, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, responds to new figures from NHS Digital on adult social care in England.

A potential red herring in the social care Green Paper

Simon Bottery considers government interest in a ‘nudge’ approach to paying for social care but cautions against focusing on it in the upcoming Green Paper.

Solving the puzzle of social care: the time for action is now

With new research suggesting that the number of people aged 85 and over needing round-the-clock care is set to double by 2035, the government needs to make hard choices if it is to solve the puzzle of social care, says Chris Ham.

The King's Fund comments on Local Government Association's social care Green Paper

Richard Humphries, Senior Fellow at The King's Fund, comments on the Local Government Association's Green Paper for adult social care.

It’s time for a new deal between the public and the NHS

The 70th anniversary of the NHS is an opportunity to reflect on its enduring popularity and to ask what people can expect from the service and what their obligations are in return, says Chris Ham.

The NHS at 70: What's the problem with social care, and why do we need to do better?

Social care is complex, poorly understood and widely perceived as unfair – while facing unprecedented pressures. This paper explains the current pressures on social care, the impact this is having in England, and sets out the barriers and potential solutions to funding reform.

The King's Fund responds to the annual ADASS Budget Survey 2018

"This latest evidence, from every council in England, lays bare once again the need for, as the Prime Minister put it herself, a proper plan to pay for and provide social care"

Should free personal care be available in England?

Simon Bottery explores a key social care difference between England and Scotland and considers whether it’s time for change.

2018 GSK IMPACT Awards: Seaview Project

Seaview Project improves the quality of life for homeless and insecurely housed people in Hastings and St Leonards, East Sussex.

2018 GSK IMPACT Awards: Birchwood Centre

Birchwood Centre provides support and accommodation for vulnerable young people who are homeless or in housing need in Skelmersdale, West Lancashire.

Future of adult social care funding reading list

A selected list of references held by The King's Fund library.

Social care finances: Our work on social care funding, budgets and finance