The launch of the English Devolution White Paper today heralds a shake-up of local government in England which could have far-reaching implications for social care, potentially reshaping how care is delivered and funded across the country. Under the new plans, district councils may be eliminated in favour of unitary authorities, alongside more elected mayors given a wider remit across strategic planning decisions.

The proposed changes come at a critical time for social care in England. The adult social care sector has been grappling with chronic underfunding for years. In 2023/24, local authorities in England spent £25.9 billion on adult social care, which did reflect a £2.3 billion uplift compared to the previous year – however, these measures are unlikely to fully address the growing funding gap, which some estimates state could reach £3.4 billion by 2025/26 for English councils alone. And as the ADASS spring survey outlined, incremental funding boosts are not enough; despite the uplift, councils overspent their ASC budgets by £586 million – the highest level in a decade.

The sector faces well-publicised challenges including workforce shortages, long waiting lists, and fragile provider and local authority finances. Could the proposed changes in the White Paper potentially address some of these issues? The reforms certainly present opportunities – unitary authorities with more muscular devolved powers might be better positioned to integrate health and social care services across large geographies, potentially improving outcomes for people. The increased role of elected mayors over planning could also lead to more coordinated and place-based approaches to housing and care provision.

As England embarks on this significant overhaul of local governance, the impact on social care has to be managed thoughtfully

But without addressing underlying financial and workforce pressures, any structural changes risk further destabilising an already fragile system. The complexity of implementing such reforms cannot be underestimated – integrating multiple workforces and financial plans, aligning ICT infrastructures, and managing diverse council assets requires careful planning and significant investment. As England embarks on this significant overhaul of local governance, the impact on social care has to be managed thoughtfully – 31ten’s knowledge and experience of social care transformation alongside local authority financing, technology, strategic assets and complex organisational transitions means we are well-placed to support local places through these challenges.

Governance reforms provide grounds for some cautious optimism, but the challenge lies in ensuring that any changes lead to improved, more efficient care services which deliver better outcomes for people, rather than place further strain on an already stretched system. This will require not just structural changes, but appropriate investment and strategic implementation to truly transform social care.