Nick Clarke says a focus on early intervention and prevention is needed to tackle the deepening cracks in social care, but the sector must take a system-wide view on what is working

Local authorities face an unprecedented financial crisis. The demands of both adult and children’s social care have been a huge strain, with spend on these services alone increasing significantly over the past few years.

Many councils have been pushed to the brink and – as we’ve seen more declare financial distress over the past five years than in the past 20 – it’s clear something needs to change.

Over the past five years, the net annual cost of both adults and children’s social care to councils has increased by £9.2bn