Association of Directors of Adult Social Services

Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
Name	Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
Abbreviation	ADASS
Formation	1940s
Type	Professional association
Region served	England
Membership	Directors of adult social services
Leader title	President

Association of Directors of Adult Social Services is a professional association representing senior leaders in adult social care within England. It brings together directors, commissioners, and senior managers responsible for adult social services to coordinate practice, influence policy, and provide sector leadership. The association engages with national institutions, statutory bodies, and partner organisations to shape service delivery, regulation, and workforce development.

History

The organisation traces its antecedents to mid‑20th century reforms linked with the National Health Service era and the evolving responsibilities following the Local Government Act 1929 and later statutes such as the National Assistance Act 1948. Throughout the late 20th century, it responded to landmark developments including the Community Care (Delayed Discharges) Act, cross‑sector reforms influenced by reports from the King's Fund, and policy shifts under successive administrations like the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. Its evolution intersected with regulatory milestones such as the establishment of the Care Quality Commission and legislative frameworks exemplified by the Care Act 2014. The association has historically engaged with bodies including the Local Government Association, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Organisation and membership

Membership comprises statutory directors from local authorities across regions such as Greater London, West Midlands, and Greater Manchester, alongside associate members from councils like Birmingham City Council and county authorities such as Kent County Council. The governance model includes an elected presidency, executive board and subcommittees mirroring structures used by organisations such as the Association of Directors of Children's Services and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives. The association convenes national conferences attracting delegates from institutions like the House of Commons, the House of Lords, the NHS England, and representatives from trade unions such as Unison and GMB (trade union). It liaises with think tanks including the Institute for Public Policy Research, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Roles and responsibilities

The association provides professional leadership on issues including safeguarding linked to decisions informed by the Care Act 2014, commissioning practices paralleling procurements in bodies such as the NHS Trusts, and service integration models like those advocated by Integrated Care Systems. It advises local authorities on workforce matters resonant with standards from the Health and Care Professions Council and collaborates with regulatory organisations such as the Care Quality Commission and inspectorates akin to Ofsted in adjacent sectors. The association supports workforce development initiatives similar to programmes run by the Skills for Care and contributes to multi‑agency responses involving the Police Federation of England and Wales and safeguarding partners named in statutory guidance.

Policy and advocacy

As a policy voice, the association engages with parliamentary processes in venues such as select committees of the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee and contributes to consultations issued by the Department of Health and Social Care. It issues position papers on funding models drawing on analyses from the Office for Budget Responsibility and submissions to fiscal reviews like those conducted by the Treasury (HM Treasury). The association campaigns on matters intersecting with public health agencies such as Public Health England and collaborates with charities including Age UK, The King's Fund, Carers UK, and Alzheimer's Society to influence legislation and budget allocations. It also partners with organisations such as NHS Confederation and professional bodies like the Royal College of Nursing.

Publications and guidance

The association produces guidance, briefing papers, and annual reports comparable to outputs from the Local Government Association and research produced by the National Audit Office. Publications address topics ranging from safeguarding frameworks informed by Care Act 2014 duties to commissioning guidance reflecting principles used by Clinical Commissioning Groups. It disseminates workforce toolkits aligning with standards from Skills for Care and contributes to evidence reviews echoing methods used by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Conferences and webinars feature speakers from institutions such as King's College London, London School of Economics, University of Manchester, and policy research units like the Social Care Institute for Excellence.

Funding and governance

Funding is a combination of membership subscriptions, conference revenues, and commissioned work similar to models used by bodies such as the Local Government Information Unit and consultancy arrangements with academic partners like University College London. Governance incorporates fiduciary oversight and compliance with charity and company law frameworks involving entities such as Companies House and the Charity Commission for England and Wales where applicable. Audit and accountability processes mirror standards applied by public sector auditors including the National Audit Office and external auditors servicing local authority accounts.

Category:Health care organisations based in England Category:Social care in the United Kingdom