Only long-term sustainable funding will 'future-proof' adult social care, council leaders have warned after a report saying services are failing to keep up with demand.

The Local Government Association was responding to the latest report from the Association of Directors of Social Services which said most councils are not confident they can continue to offer the minimum social care as required by law.

It said short-term funding boosts from Government have helped reduce the number of people waiting for care and increased support for people at home, but services were failing to keep pace with rising needs.

The County Councils Network said the ADASS report showed how 'fragile and under pressure the current system is'.

Martin Tett, the network's adult social care spokesperson, said forthcoming reforms could be underfunded by at least £10bn in their first ten years.

Unison, the union representing many of the staff, said the social care crisis was 'worsening by the minute.'

It said care workers are 'overworked, underpaid and struggling to plug the gaps in a sector desperately short of staff.'

Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: 'This survey shows councils are doing all they can to support care providers despite being under huge pressure themselves to combat coronavirus and protect our elderly and most vulnerable.

'Councils are working closely with people using social care services, their local care provider, and the NHS to ensure people who use social care, and the workforce, are able to stay safe and well.

'While emergency funding made available to councils and providers has helped during the pandemic, future funding support will be needed to help meet increasing demand and costs and ultimately, only long-term sustainable funding will future-proof adult social care.'

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