Adult Social Care is entering a period of fundamental reform. The emerging National Care Service could reshape funding, workforce, commissioning, prevention and the relationship between councils and the NHS. For DASS leaders, the challenge is managing today’s pressures while preparing for tomorrow’s system. This will also reshape recruitment, increasing demand for leaders who combine operational grip with transformation, integration, financial and system leadership.

Discover the 2026 Workforce Guide for Local Government HR Leaders: Nine Hard Questions and How to Answer Them with Data, Design and Delivery. This essential resource tackles recruitment, retention, pay strategy, legal compliance, wellbeing, AI ethics, equality, apprenticeships, IR35, and workforce analytics. Equip your council with actionable insights, metrics, and toolkits to navigate structural change and build a resilient, future-ready workforce.