Earlier care support moves up Somerset’s agenda

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-31 13:32 3 min read

An elderly woman smiling and interacting with a therapy dog in a care setting.

Adult social care cost Somerset Council £230.867 million in 2025/26, accounting for 38% of its budget. Against that financial backdrop, the council has published its Adult Social Care Strategy 2026–2029, setting the direction for services used by older and disabled adults, people with illnesses or mental health needs, and unpaid carers.

The strategy prioritises earlier intervention, timely support near home, a skilled workforce and services capable of responding to future demand. It establishes a three-year framework rather than announcing an immediate change to eligibility or a specific care service.

Who the strategy is intended to support

Adult social care covers more than residential and nursing placements. It can include information and advice, safeguarding, care at home, support for unpaid carers and help with rebuilding independence after an illness or hospital stay.

Earlier care support moves up Somerset’s agenda

For Somerset residents, the proposed direction means placing greater emphasis on finding understandable advice and receiving help before needs become more serious. The council also wants health, housing, care providers and community organisations to work together more closely, although the strategy announcement does not set out new access arrangements or service-by-service deadlines.

An ageing population is increasing demand

People aged 65 and over account for 25.31% of Somerset’s population, compared with 18.69% across England—a difference of 6.62 percentage points. This comparison indicates that age-related demand could place greater pressure on Somerset than in areas with younger populations, but it does not by itself show how many residents will require council-funded care.

The number of people receiving long-term care is projected to rise from about 4,400 to roughly 6,000 by 2040. That would be an increase of around 1,600 people, although it remains a forecast rather than a confirmed caseload.

Four priorities will guide services through 2029

The strategy sets four areas for council and partner organisations:

Provide information, advice and early help before needs escalate.
Deliver person-centred support at the right time and as close to people’s communities as possible.
Develop a supported, skilled and flexible care workforce.
Design sustainable and inclusive services that can adjust to changing needs.

These priorities reflect feedback from people who use care, unpaid carers, council staff, providers, health partners and community groups. Participants called for support to be easier to find, better coordination between services and a stronger role for lived experience.

Delivery depends on partners and long-term funding

Somerset Council says the strategy was already being developed and is not a response to its recent Best Value Notice or Care Quality Commission assessment. Delivery will involve the NHS, housing services, care providers, voluntary organisations, communities and residents.

The council has also warned that the current funding system is struggling to match rising demand. It maintains that council tax should not be used to fund social care and is seeking long-term national investment while the local programme proceeds through 2029.

Source: Somerset Council Newsroom

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and figures

This report uses Somerset Council’s strategy announcement and distinguishes current spending from projected future demand.

Checks

Confirmed the £230.867 million adult social care expenditure and 38% budget share for 2025...
Compared Somerset’s stated over-65 population share of 25.
Treated the possible rise from 4,400 to 6,000 long-term care recipients by 2040 as a proje...
Checked the four stated priorities against the council’s strategy summary.

Somerset Council Newsroom Check wider coverage