Searching for Consensus: Adult Social Care in Crisis

Is England’s social care system built to last?

From record vacancy rates to unsustainable funding models, the cracks in adult social care are deepening. Searching for Consensus, a new report from Daughters of Charity Services, offers a sobering yet constructive look at the crisis unfolding—and what must be done to repair it.

Based on the voices of over 200 care providers across England, the report highlights an urgent need for reform in three key areas: recruitment, retention, and funding. Carers are leaving the workforce faster than they can be replaced, care homes are struggling to keep their doors open, and patchy policy interventions are leaving those most in need without reliable support.

Yet there is hope. This isn’t just a report of problems—it’s a roadmap for change. With targeted recommendations and frontline insights, Searching for Consensus calls on the next government to listen to care providers and invest in a future where no one in need of care is left behind.

“There are no lasting changes without cultural changes.” — Pope Francis

This is more than a policy issue—it’s a matter of national conscience.

🔍 Read the full report now to explore the data, understand the challenges, and join the call for a care system that works for everyone.