Unpacking The Latest Trends In Adult Social Care: Home Support Soars

The Rise of At-Home Care

Recent government data highlights a significant trend in adult social care services: a noticeable uptick in the number of adults receiving care at home, while those in residential and nursing homes are on the decline. This shift aligns with government policies encouraging home care and the budget constraints many local authorities face. Between December 2024 and December 2025, long-term support recipients across England increased by 3%, reaching 683,000, thanks mainly to home care supported via local authority direct payments.

“The move towards supporting more individuals at home reflects both policy shifts and the growing demand for personalized care solutions,” a representative commented.

Community Care Leads the Way

According to the latest Adult Social Care Client Level Data (CLD) update, a staggering 70% of those receiving state-funded care are supported within their communities. This translates to 486,000 people compared to the 194,000 who remain in residential or nursing homes. Seniors, particularly those over 65, dominate the recipients of long-term care – they represent nearly six out of ten of those receiving support, with the highest proportion seen among those aged 85 and older.

Geographical and Demographic Insights

The North West and North East regions of England report the highest numbers of people benefiting from local authority-funded care, with rates of 1,820 and 1,800 per 100,000 people, respectively. Women continue to constitute the majority of care recipients, making up 56% of the population receiving long-term support. When examining ethnicity, while white and Asian groups have the largest overall numbers receiving care, black groups have the highest rate of care relative to their population size, accounting for 2,110 per 100,000.