County councils have warned against a ‘knee-jerk’ centralisation of the social care system in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis.

The County Councils Network (CCN) made the statement following speculation that social care could be brought under the control of the NHS rather than councils.

The CCN said this would be the wrong solution and instead is calling for councils to work with local NHS organisations to enhance community-based care.

Cllr David Fothergill, CCN spokesperson for health and social care and leader of Somerset County Council, said: 'The harrowing scenes that we have witnessed in our care sector deserve scrutiny, but we should be wary of a knee-jerk reaction that removes democratic oversight from adult social care and places it in a centralised system that coronavirus has shown contains huge drawbacks.

'Many of the people supported by councils require their care more embedded in their community, not provided by a one-size fits all, system which cannot make the best use of localised knowledge and networks.'

Without adult social care, councils would be self-sufficient on business rates, council tax, fees and charges, says Heather Jameson.