Adult Social Care helps people stay safe, independent and connected to their communities. Services support people with a wide range of needs, including learning disabilities, mental health needs, dementia, sensory impairments, physical disabilities and frailty.
On 01 October 2015, an Integrated Care Organisation (ICO) was formed with the remit was to provide adult social care on behalf of the population of Torbay. From a financial perspective the council’s role as a commissioning body is to provide a funding contribution to the overall running costs of the ICO.
During 2025/26, Torbay Council contributed £68.2 million towards Adult Social Care services. This funding included:
| Funding Source | £m |
|---|---|
| Core Contract – Funding for day-to-day Adult Social Care services and support. | £59.050 |
| Market Sustainability Funding – Funding to help local care providers remain sustainable. | £3.625 |
| Social Care Grant – Government funding to support Adult Social Care services. | £3.425 |
| Delayed Discharge Grant – Funding to help people leave hospital safely and return home sooner. | £2.065 |
| Total Council Contribution | £68.165 |
This funding helps pay for experienced professionals such as social workers, occupational therapists and care staff, as well as the care and support services people rely on every day.
In addition to the net expenditure on the cost of care, the Trust incurs approximately £13.2million in operational and overhead costs to administer the adult social care process. Including these costs provides a more complete and transparent representation of the total resources required to deliver and support adult social care services.
The largest proportion of Adult Social Care spending is used to purchase care and support from independent providers. This includes:
Residential care homes: Accommodation and 24-hour support for people who can no longer live independently at home.
The chart below shows how this funding was distributed across different types of care and support.
| Service Area | Gross expenditure (£m) |
|---|---|
| Residential | 48.5 |
| Nursing | 9.5 |
| Domicilary | 24.8 |
| Supported Living | 15.7 |
| Day Services | 2.0 |
| Direct Payments | 7.8 |
| Other | 2.2 |
Most care is provided by organisations based within Torbay, although some specialist services are purchased outside the area when required.
During 2025/26:
The largest areas of spending were residential care; care provided in people's own homes and supported living services. These services help people remain safe; receive the support they need and maintain as much independence as possible.
At some point during 2025/26, more than 2,800 adults received support from Adult Social Care services.
Demand continues to grow as more people require support and people's needs become increasingly complex. This means some individuals need more specialised care, longer-term support or a combination of services to help them live safely and independently.
The NHS also continued to experience significant pressures during the year. This increased demand for services that help people leave hospital safely, regain independence and avoid unnecessary admissions. Close partnership working between health and social care services has been essential in supporting people at the right time and in the right place.
At the same time, the cost of providing care has continued to increase. Care providers face rising employment and operational costs, making it more expensive to deliver services. National funding has helped support fee increases for residential, nursing and home care providers to ensure services remain sustainable and continue to meet local need.
The agreed funding contribution for Adult Social Care during 2026/27 is:
| Funding Source | £m |
|---|---|
| Core contract | £61.600 |
| Other Agreed Funding | £9.115 |
| Total Council Contribution | £70.715 |
Looking ahead, Adult Social Care services will return to Torbay Council from 1 April 2027. Planning is already underway with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust to ensure a safe and smooth transition for people who use services, carers, staff and partners.
This transition provides an opportunity to build on the strengths of integrated working while strengthening local leadership, accountability and service development. Throughout this period, our focus remains on using resources effectively and ensuring people continue to receive high-quality care and support.
The money invested in Adult Social Care helps fund the services and support that many people rely on every day, from care at home and supported living to residential care and hospital discharge support. We are committed to making the best use of public funding to ensure people receive the right support at the right time, helping them stay safe, independent and connected to their communities.