Directors of adult care services have faced a spike in demand over the summer months, according to new figures published today.

The latest snap survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) shows the number of people awaiting social care assessments, reviews and care and support rose by a quarter to 294,353 in the past three months.

This comes despite an expansion of services, with the number of home care hours being delivered increasing from 13,835,304 during the winter to 14,425,882 hours from May to July.

ADASS found a lack of capacity due to recruitment and retention issues meant demand was outstripping the number of hours that could be delivered and led to people being offered care they would not have otherwise chosen.

ADASS president Stephen Chandler said: ‘Having heard the Government's initial thinking about the longer-term future, this survey is a stark reminder of why we need investment in care and support now.

‘It is neither fair nor acceptable that people are waiting longer and getting less care.

‘People need care and support to live a good life now. They cannot, and should not be made to wait.’

ADASS said directors had asked for more funding, parity of recognition with the NHS from ministers and an extension of the workforce grant to alleviate current workforce issues.

The survey found 70,000 people were waiting for care assessments, up from 55,000 during ADASS’ last survey in the spring.

Up to 184,062 are waiting for reviews of existing plans, up by 16% compared to prior to the summer.