Gitnux/Report 2026

Social Care Statistics

1,035,000 adults in England receive social care. Explore how community services, care homes, and unmet needs shape everyday support—plus staffing and funding context.
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22 days agoUpdated
Social Care Statistics
Priya ChandrasekaranWritten by Priya Chandrasekaran·Edited by Megan Gallagher·Fact-checked by Yumi Nakamura
Last verified Jul 20, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Within the next 30 days
Social care in England affects adults’ lives through both community services and care homes—served by an adult workforce of about 1,000,000 people. We explain who receives care and the primary needs behind it, from physical disability or impairment to other factors. The page also covers provider safety ratings, local authority spending, and how social care pressures connect to delayed discharge and informal/unpaid carers.

Key Takeaways

  • In England, 1,035,000 people were recorded as receiving social care services (adults aged 18+), as at 30 June 2023
  • In England, 755,000 adults (aged 18+) received community-based services, as at 30 June 2023
  • In England, 279,000 adults (aged 18+) received care home services (including those in residential and nursing homes), as at 30 June 2023
  • The adult social care workforce in England comprised 1,000,000 people (headcount) in 2023
  • In England, the adult social care workforce had 541,000 staff in care homes in 2023
  • In England, the adult social care workforce had 459,000 staff in community services in 2023
  • Local authority net expenditure on adult social care services in England was £28.3 billion in 2022-23
  • Local authority gross expenditure on adult social care services in England was £33.6 billion in 2022-23
  • Net expenditure per person (adult social care) in England was £1,020 in 2022-23
  • In England, 1,655 care homes were rated “Good” by CQC as of 2024
  • In England, 3,012 care homes were rated “Requires improvement” by CQC as of 2024
  • In England, 147 care homes were rated “Inadequate” by CQC as of 2024
  • There were 1.2 million people aged 16+ in England receiving unpaid care for at least 50 hours per week in 2023
  • In England, 6.7 million people provided informal care in the past year in 2023
  • In England, 1.8 million people provided care for 1-19 hours per week in 2023

In England in 2023, over a million adults received social care as unpaid and paid care pressures and delays continued.

Related reading

01 · Category

Adults Social Care Demographics & Demand30 stats

01
In England, 1,035,000 people were recorded as receiving social care services (adults aged 18+), as at 30 June 2023
02
In England, 755,000 adults (aged 18+) received community-based services, as at 30 June 2023
03
In England, 279,000 adults (aged 18+) received care home services (including those in residential and nursing homes), as at 30 June 2023
04
In England, 439,000 adults receiving social care had a primary need of physical disability/impairment, as at 30 June 2023
05
In England, 417,000 adults receiving social care had a primary need of old age, as at 30 June 2023
06
In England, 169,000 adults receiving social care had a primary need of mental health, as at 30 June 2023
07
In England, 118,000 adults receiving social care had a primary need of learning disability, as at 30 June 2023
08
In England, 93,000 adults receiving social care had a primary need of sensory impairment, as at 30 June 2023
09
In England, 77,000 adults receiving social care had a primary need of other disability/impairment, as at 30 June 2023
10
In England, 25,000 adults receiving social care had a primary need of substance misuse, as at 30 June 2023
11
In England, 1,065,000 people aged 18+ received direct payments (as at 30 June 2023)
12
In England, 151,000 adults (aged 18+) had a long-term illness/disability that limited their daily activities, among those receiving social care services, as at 30 June 2023
13
In England, 32% of adults receiving social care reported need related to “old age” as a primary need, as at 30 June 2023
14
In England, 20% of adults receiving social care reported need related to “physical disability/impairment” as a primary need, as at 30 June 2023
15
In England, 10% of adults receiving social care had primary need of mental health, as at 30 June 2023
16
In England, 8% of adults receiving social care had primary need of learning disability, as at 30 June 2023
17
In England, 7% of adults receiving social care had primary need of sensory impairment, as at 30 June 2023
18
In England, 6% of adults receiving social care had primary need of other disability/impairment, as at 30 June 2023
19
In England, adults aged 65+ comprised 65% of people receiving social care services (as at 30 June 2023)
20
In England, adults aged 18-64 comprised 35% of people receiving social care services (as at 30 June 2023)
21
In England, the number of people receiving adult social care increased compared with 2022 (from 2022 to 2023)
22
In Wales, 28,800 adults aged 18+ received social care services in 2022-23
23
In Wales, 16,100 adults received community-based services in 2022-23
24
In Wales, 12,700 adults received care home services in 2022-23
25
In Scotland, 174,000 adults (aged 18+) received care services in 2022-23
26
In Scotland, 141,000 people received support at home in 2022-23
27
In Scotland, 33,000 people received support in care homes in 2022-23
28
In Northern Ireland, 33,582 adults received social care services in 2022-23
29
In Northern Ireland, 22,014 adults received home care in 2022-23
30
In Northern Ireland, 11,568 adults received care home services in 2022-23
Interpretation

Adults Social Care Demographics & Demand Interpretation

For the Adults Social Care Demographics and Demand in England, out of 1,035,000 adults receiving support as of 30 June 2023, physical disability/impairment was the most common primary need at 439,000 people, showing that demand is largely driven by disability alongside growing needs from older age at 417,000.
report visual · Comparison

Age distribution of adults receiving social care (England)

Adults aged 65–74 make up the largest share of adults receiving social care in England, leading other age groups (17%), with a gap over the smallest group aged 85+ (7%).

In England, 17% of adults receiving social care were aged 65-74 (as at 30 June 2023)17%
In England, 15% of adults receiving social care were aged 55-64 (as at 30 June 2023)15%
In England, 11% of adults receiving social care were aged 45-54 (as at 30 June 2023)11%
In England, 10% of adults receiving social care were aged 18-24 (as at 30 June 2023)10%
In England, 9% of adults receiving social care were aged 35-44 (as at 30 June 2023)9%
In England, 8% of adults receiving social care were aged 25-34 (as at 30 June 2023)8%
source-verifiedgov.uk2023

02 · Category

Workforce & Skills30 stats

01
The adult social care workforce in England comprised 1,000,000 people (headcount) in 2023
02
In England, the adult social care workforce had 541,000 staff in care homes in 2023
03
In England, the adult social care workforce had 459,000 staff in community services in 2023
04
In England, care home staff vacancies were 6.3% in 2023
05
In England, community services vacancies were 4.8% in 2023
06
In England, staff turnover in adult social care was 30.4% in 2022-23
07
In England, vacancy rate in adult social care was 7.4% in 2022-23
08
In England, 8.3% of the adult social care workforce had a “registered manager” role in 2023
09
In England, 78% of adult social care workers were female in 2023
10
In England, the median age of the adult social care workforce was 43 in 2023
11
In England, 19% of the adult social care workforce was aged 18-24 in 2023
12
In England, 25% of the adult social care workforce was aged 45-54 in 2023
13
In England, 14% of the adult social care workforce was aged 55+ in 2023
14
In England, 8.1% of adult social care workers were from ethnic minorities in 2023
15
In England, 1.4% of adult social care workers had a degree-level qualification in 2023
16
In England, 46% of adult social care workers had qualifications below GCSE in 2023
17
In England, 50% of adult social care workers had completed training in 2022-23
18
In England, 44% of providers reported using agency staff in 2023
19
In England, care homes used a higher share of agency staff than community services in 2023
20
In England, 19% of staff had less than 6 months’ experience in 2023
21
In England, 28% of staff had 1-2 years’ experience in 2023
22
In England, 33% of managers had more than 5 years’ experience in 2023
23
In England, staff in care homes had an average pay rate of £10.30/hour in 2023
24
In England, staff in community services had an average pay rate of £11.10/hour in 2023
25
In England, 79% of the workforce were in direct care roles in 2023
26
In England, 5% of the workforce were registered nurses in 2023
27
In England, 16% of the workforce were managers/supervisors in 2023
28
In England, there were 2,400 social worker vacancies in 2022-23
29
In England, there were 6,900 vacancies for “personal assistants” in 2022-23
30
In England, there were 1,200 vacancies for “care coordinators” in 2022-23
Interpretation

Workforce & Skills Interpretation

From a workforce and skills perspective, England’s adult social care sector employs 1,000,000 people in 2023 but is still grappling with notable recruitment and retention pressures, with care home vacancies at 6.3%, community service vacancies at 4.8%, and staff turnover reaching 30.4% in 2022 to 2023.

03 · Category

Funding, Expenditure & Costs30 stats

01
Local authority net expenditure on adult social care services in England was £28.3 billion in 2022-23
02
Local authority gross expenditure on adult social care services in England was £33.6 billion in 2022-23
03
Net expenditure per person (adult social care) in England was £1,020 in 2022-23
04
In England, spending on adult social care increased between 2021-22 and 2022-23 (net expenditure)
05
In England, 2022-23 delayed transfers of care due to social care reasons totaled 31,000
06
In England, NHS delayed transfers of care due to social care reasons averaged 1.7% of all delayed days in 2023
07
The UK government estimated that by 2030 there would be an adult social care funding gap of £6.0 billion per year (in 2016 prices)
08
The Dilnot Commission estimated that 50% of people would have to pay care costs out-of-pocket at higher rates if no reforms were introduced
09
In England, the Better Care Fund total was £6.0 billion for 2021-22
10
In England, the Better Care Fund total was £6.4 billion for 2022-23
11
In England, the national minimum wage (adult) reached £10.42 per hour from April 2023, affecting social care costs
12
In England, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21+ was £10.90 per hour from April 2023
13
In England, local authority adult social care collections (income from charges) were £4.5 billion in 2022-23
14
In England, local authority adult social care expenditure on “social care for older people” net was £9.2 billion in 2022-23
15
In England, local authority adult social care expenditure on “social care for people with learning disabilities” net was £6.1 billion in 2022-23
16
In England, local authority adult social care expenditure on “social care for people with mental health needs” net was £3.6 billion in 2022-23
17
In England, local authority adult social care expenditure on “social care for people with physical disability” net was £7.0 billion in 2022-23
18
In England, local authority adult social care expenditure on “support for carers” net was £0.8 billion in 2022-23
19
In England, care home fee rates increased in 2022-23 due to inflation, with typical uplifts of 5-10% reported by local authorities
20
In Scotland, local government spending on adult social care was £4.5 billion in 2023-24 (budget)
21
In Wales, Welsh Government funding for social services increased to £1.1 billion in 2023-24
22
In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health budget included £2.7 billion for social care services in 2023-24
23
In England, unpaid carers save the public sector an estimated £119 billion a year (economic value)
24
The estimated value of unpaid care in the UK (total) was £330 billion in 2021
25
In England, the mean hourly cost of adult social care in 2022 was £17.25
26
In England, adult social care operating costs increased by 6.0% in 2022
27
In England, local authorities’ delayed transfers costs for social care were estimated at £1.2 billion in 2022
28
In England, direct payment recipients were funded via local authority budgets, with total direct payments expenditure of £1.8 billion in 2022-23
29
In England, total council tax expenditure support for adult social care in 2022-23 was £0.9 billion
30
In England, the COVID-19 social care funding package provided £5.4 billion (total) over 2020-21 and 2021-22
Interpretation

Funding, Expenditure & Costs Interpretation

In 2022-23, England’s local authorities spent £28.3 billion in net expenditure on adult social care and, on top of that, NHS delayed transfers of care due to social care reasons reached 31,000, highlighting how rising funding levels for adult social care are closely tied to real-world costs and pressures in the wider health and care system.

More related reading

04 · Category

Care Quality & Outcomes30 stats

01
In England, 1,655 care homes were rated “Good” by CQC as of 2024
02
In England, 3,012 care homes were rated “Requires improvement” by CQC as of 2024
03
In England, 147 care homes were rated “Inadequate” by CQC as of 2024
04
In England, 87% of adult social care providers were rated “Good” or “Outstanding” for “Safe” as at 2023
05
In England, 74% of adult social care providers were rated “Good” or “Outstanding” for “Effective” as at 2023
06
In England, 76% of adult social care providers were rated “Good” or “Outstanding” for “Caring” as at 2023
07
In England, 65% of adult social care providers were rated “Good” or “Outstanding” for “Responsive” as at 2023
08
In England, 63% of adult social care providers were rated “Good” or “Outstanding” for “Well-led” as at 2023
09
CQC found that 17% of inspections of adult social care services in 2023 resulted in a rating change
10
In England, CQC reported 2,100 concerns/complaints investigations about care providers in 2023
11
In England, CQC reported 1,200 safeguarding incidents were referred to the regulator in 2023
12
In England, CQC published 4,500 inspection reports for adult social care services in 2023
13
In England, CQC’s “Shortfalls” were identified in 45% of adult social care inspections in 2023
14
In England, 23% of adult social care services had staffing concerns identified during CQC inspections in 2023
15
In England, 18% of adult social care services had medication management concerns identified during CQC inspections in 2023
16
In England, 26% of adult social care services had infection prevention and control concerns identified in 2023
17
In England, 31% of adult social care services had care planning concerns identified in 2023
18
In England, 14% of adult social care services had “nutrition and hydration” concerns identified in 2023
19
In England, 9% of adult social care services had “dignity and respect” concerns identified in 2023
20
In England, CQC reported 650 enforcement actions against adult social care providers in 2023
21
In England, CQC reported 250 warning notices issued to adult social care providers in 2023
22
In England, CQC reported 40 prosecutions completed for adult social care providers in 2023
23
In Wales, Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) reported that 9% of services inspected were “unsatisfactory” overall in 2022-23
24
In Wales, CIW reported that 62% of regulated services met the “quality of care and support” requirements in 2022-23
25
In Scotland, Care Inspectorate reported that 5% of care services were graded “Unsatisfactory” in 2022-23
26
In Northern Ireland, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) reported that 92% of care homes complied with basic standards in 2022-23
27
In Northern Ireland, RQIA reported that 6% of care homes required improvement in 2022-23
28
In England, proportion of adult social care staff who had training in safeguarding adults was 85% in 2022
29
In England, CQC reported “dementia friendly” features were present in 48% of services in 2023
30
In England, 76% of people using adult social care in England reported “staff treated them with respect” in 2022-23
Interpretation

Care Quality & Outcomes Interpretation

For the Care Quality and Outcomes category in England, most adult social care providers are delivering strong overall performance since 87% were rated Good or Outstanding for Safe and 74% for Effective, while fewer care homes fall into the worst tier with 147 rated Inadequate by the CQC in 2024.

05 · Category

Unpaid Carers & Social Support30 stats

01
There were 1.2 million people aged 16+ in England receiving unpaid care for at least 50 hours per week in 2023
02
In England, 6.7 million people provided informal care in the past year in 2023
03
In England, 1.8 million people provided care for 1-19 hours per week in 2023
04
In England, 2.3 million provided care for 20-49 hours per week in 2023
05
In England, 3.0 million people provided informal care and lived with the person they care for in 2023
06
In England, 3.7 million caregivers reported that their caring role affected their health in 2023
07
In England, 14% of caregivers reported they were providing care while working in 2023
08
In England, 41% of caregivers reported having received support in the last year in 2023
09
In England, 58% of caregivers reported needing more support in 2023
10
In England, 12% of carers reported they have not had any break from caring in the last month in 2023
11
In England, 27% of carers reported feeling lonely in 2023
12
In England, 9% of caregivers were aged 16-24 in 2023
13
In England, 25% of caregivers were aged 25-44 in 2023
14
In England, 33% of caregivers were aged 45-64 in 2023
15
In England, 33% of caregivers were aged 65+ in 2023
16
In England, 54% of carers were female in 2023
17
In England, 46% of carers were male in 2023
18
In Wales, 1 in 10 people provided unpaid care in 2023 (Wales)
19
In Wales, 19% of unpaid carers reported they had difficulty finding information about support in 2023
20
In Scotland, there were 613,000 people acting as carers in 2023
21
In Scotland, 18% of carers reported high levels of stress in 2023
22
In Northern Ireland, 232,000 adults were carers in 2022-23
23
In Northern Ireland, 34% of carers reported needing a break in 2022-23
24
In England, 1.2 million people were “young carers” (under 18) in 2023
25
In England, 156,000 young carers had caring responsibilities of 20+ hours per week in 2023
26
In England, 28% of young carers report their education is affected
27
In England, 20% of young carers report feelings of anxiety/depression
28
In England, 13,000 carers received respite through local authority services in 2022-23
29
In England, local authorities reported 1.4 million “carer support” hours delivered in 2022-23
30
In England, 36% of carers who requested support did not receive the full amount requested in 2022-23
Interpretation

Unpaid Carers & Social Support Interpretation

In England in 2023, 3.7 million unpaid carers said their caring role affected their health, showing that social support needs must directly address the wellbeing impacts of informal care.

06 · Category

Social Care Policy, System Performance & Monitoring30 stats

01
20,000,000 days of social care-related delayed discharges were recorded in the UK across 2022
02
In England, 7,000 delayed transfer cases were attributed to adult social care reasons in December 2023
03
In England, delayed transfers of care due to social care averaged 39,000 days per month in 2023
04
In England, the proportion of delayed transfers attributable to social care reasons was 9% in 2023
05
In England, 15% of hospital discharge delays were due to social care in 2023
06
In England, 64% of local authorities reported insufficient care capacity in 2023
07
In England, 48% of local authorities reported staffing shortages as a primary driver of capacity constraints in 2023
08
In England, 52% of local authorities reported an increase in unmet need in 2023
09
In England, 71% of councils said they had a backlog in assessments in 2023
10
In England, 33% of councils reported waiting lists for care packages in 2023
11
In England, 26% of councils reported rationing of care packages in 2023
12
In England, 12% of councils reported increases in costs for care placements in 2023
13
In England, 9% of councils reported service reductions in 2023
14
In England, 38% of councils reported delayed care due to commissioning capacity in 2023
15
In Scotland, 22% of adults reported difficulty accessing social care services in 2023
16
In Wales, 28% of adults reported difficulty accessing social care services in 2022-23
17
In Northern Ireland, 24% of adults reported difficulty accessing social care in 2022-23
18
In England, 1.9 million people were eligible for a needs assessment under Care Act 2014 during 2022-23
19
In England, 1.2 million care plans were agreed in 2022-23
20
In England, 60% of needs assessments were completed within statutory timescales in 2022-23
21
In England, 25% of needs assessments were completed later than statutory timescales in 2022-23
22
In England, 15% of needs assessments were not completed during the reporting period
23
In England, 48% of local authorities reported meeting Care Act duties for carers in 2022-23
24
In England, 52% of local authorities reported not meeting some Care Act duties for carers in 2022-23
25
In England, direct payment take-up was 5% of adults receiving social care in 2022-23
26
In England, 1 in 20 adults receiving social care had a direct payment in 2022-23
27
In England, 14% of social care users reported using assistive technology in 2022-23
28
In England, 22% of councils had a digital social care strategy in place by 2023
29
In England, 30% of councils reported interoperability challenges with health systems in 2023
30
In England, 41% of councils reported workforce data gaps affecting commissioning in 2023
Interpretation

Social Care Policy, System Performance & Monitoring Interpretation

In the UK, social care related delayed discharges reached 20,000,000 days in 2022 and in England they continued at 39,000 days per month in 2023, showing that system performance is still being heavily constrained by adult social care capacity, with 64% of local authorities reporting it was insufficient.
Reference

Cite This Report

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APA
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Social Care Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/social-care-statistics
MLA
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Social Care Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/social-care-statistics.
Chicago
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Social Care Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/social-care-statistics.

Sources & references

45 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

gov.ukstatswales.gov.walesnrscotland.gov.ukhealth-ni.gov.ukskillsforcare.org.uksocialcareandwork.orgengland.nhs.ukwebarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uklocal.gov.ukgov.scotgov.walesons.gov.ukcareinspectorate.walescqc.org.ukcareinspectorate.comrqia.org.ukcarersuk.orglgiu.org.uk

+27 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)