SOCIAL CARE is being “set up to fail,” leaders of the sector warned today after new research found that councils in England were not confident they could offer the support their communities are required by law.

According to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass), over 75 per cent said they were concerned that they will unable to fully meet their legal duties in ensuring the availability of the right care in the right place at the right time in the next financial year.

Adass renewed its call for the “political will to make social care a priority over the next 10 years so everyone can get the care they need” as it published its annual spring survey.

The study found that 63 per cent of English councils had overspent on their adult social care budgets in the latest full financial year, with 72 per cent of them drawing on their reserves to cover the financial shortfall.

Some 58 per cent of directors identified prevention and wellbeing as a statutory duty that they are less than confident their budgets will meet.

Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green said: “Local authorities have been set up to fail by government.

“Local authorities are starting from a £400 million deficit, before they even look to address staffing, inflation and wider cost pressures.

“The survey highlights the increasing number of providers closing, ceasing trading or handing back council contracts.

“The warning lights have never been brighter for the government.”

Prof Green highlighted the need to support the sector’s workforce through better pay, pensions and other entitlements.

Carers UK said the lack of confidence in the offer of minimum legal social care support in communities “should be major cause for concern.”

The charity added that the findings backed up calls for more support for unpaid carers as well as the need for longer-term investment.

NHS Providers stressed that the report “highlights yet again the urgent need to properly fund and reform the adult social care system.”

David Baines of the Local Government Association said the report showed the impact of “a chronically underfunded system.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the government has reduced waiting times and will invest £7.5 billion over the next two years.