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January 2026 - Health

Cost of social care packages for young adults in England soars, according to latest research: New research has revealed a significant increase in the number of high-cost social care packages for young adults aged 18 to 24 in England. Directors of Adult Services across the country reported a 30% rise in young adults receiving care packages costing £7,000 per week or more, which equates to at least £364,000 per person annually. This surge is placing an enormous and unsustainable financial strain on many local councils responsible for supporting young people with complex health needs.

The survey, conducted by The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), polled 153 English councils responsible for adult social care between October 1 and October 31, 2025, as part of its Annual Autumn Survey. Feedback from the 124 councils that participated indicated that financial pressures on adult social care are intensifying, with most councils expecting significant overspending on these services over the next few years.

The data shows that the number of 18 to 24-year-olds with care packages costing £7,000 or more per week increased from 547 in 2024 to 712 in 2025. Additionally, directors projected a £623 million overspend on adult social care budgets for the 2025/26 fiscal year, up from £564 million in 2024/25, representing a 9.6% increase.

The report highlights several factors that are driving this increase in costs. There has been a significant rise in the number of young adults requiring additional social care support as they transition from children's services. At the same time, the costs of their care, especially for those with complex educational needs and/or disabilities, have surged. Many care packages involve specialised residential or supported living placements that require intensive 24-hour support. However, Adult Social Care directors are concerned that funding has not kept pace with demand and existing cost pressures, leading to overspending and increasingly strained services.

Directors also noted systemic challenges in transition planning and a lack of early intervention initiatives, which often result in poorly managed transitions and have led to costly, crisis-driven care solutions rather than more effective, pre-planned options.

The report concludes that without urgent reform and sustainable funding, councils will continue to face escalating costs, adversely affecting outcomes for the young adults in their care.

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