Somerset Council has published its new Adult Social Care Strategy for 2026 to 2029, which highlights how it will work with residents, carers and partners to support adults to live healthy, safe and independent lives within strong communities.
The strategy outlines the Council’s priorities for adult social care over the next 3 years, which are:
- a focus on people having the support they need early,
- ensuring people have the support they need at the right time in their lives and in the locations that work for them,
- a supported, skilled and flexible workforce, and
- services that are ready for the future.
Adult social care supports adults who may need support because of their age, disability, illness or mental health needs. This can include information and advice, support to stay independent, help for unpaid carers, safeguarding, care at home, reablement after illness or a hospital stay, and residential or nursing care where it is needed.
In 2025/26, adult social care accounted for 38% of Somerset Council’s budget, with actual spend of £230.867m. Demand is expected to continue rising as Somerset’s population ages. Around 25.31% of Somerset residents are aged 65 and over, compared with 18.69% across England, and the number of people supported in long-term care could increase from around 4,400 to around 6,000 by 2040.
The new strategy has been shaped by listening and engaging with people who use care and support, unpaid carers, staff, care providers, health partners, community groups and residents across Somerset.
Feedback highlighted the importance of making support easier to find and understand, improving access to early help, joining up services more effectively, supporting unpaid carers, and making sure adult social care is shaped by people’s real experiences.
Cllr Sarah Wakefield, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness, said:
The refreshed strategy comes at an important time and builds on significant work that is already under way to strengthen adult social care in Somerset. It has been developed over many months through engagement with residents, carers, staff, providers and partners, and reflects our shared ambition to help people live healthy, safe and independent lives within strong communities.
It is not a response to the recent Best Value Notice or the outcome of our Care Quality Commission assessment. Rather, it formally sets out the direction of travel we had already identified to meet the challenges facing adult social care, including growing demand, changing demographics, workforce pressures and increasing financial constraints.
The strategy reflects our commitment to working together across the Council, communities, care providers, the voluntary sector and health partners. By focusing on what matters most to people, we can make practical changes that improve outcomes and help residents remain connected, resilient and independent for longer.
We know there is more to do, and we are committed to making further improvements. However, we are working within a funding system that is struggling to keep up with rising demand. We welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that committed to social care reform, and our position remains clear: Council Tax should not be used to fund social care in this country. Instead, long-term national investment in essential services, including adult social care, is needed if Somerset Council and councils across the country are to meet the needs of a rapidly growing and ageing population.
The strategy is built around 4 priorities:
- Prevention and early help: making it easier for people to get clear information, advice and support before needs become more serious.
- Right support, right time, right place: improving access to timely, person-centred care and support that is close to people’s homes and communities.
- A supported, skilled and flexible workforce: helping staff and care providers to have the skills, support and confidence they need to deliver good care.
- Future focused services: planning services that are sustainable, inclusive and able to respond to changing needs.
Somerset Council will continue to work with the NHS, housing, care providers, voluntary and community organisations, unpaid carers and residents to deliver the strategy in line with its vision for a fairer, better future for its residents.
The following video outlines Somerset Council’s vision for adult social care and the priorities that will shape support and services over the next 3 years:
