Politics
Hackney Redirects £12 Million to Adult Social Care, Reshaping Service Access
The 2026 council budget directs £12 million more to adult social care, which changes how Hackney residents apply for and receive home support and day centre places.
How we reported this
The Hackney Mayor approved a reallocation within the 2026-27 council budget that moves £12 million into adult social care from other capital lines. The change affects residents aged 18 and over who receive or seek council-funded care in the borough.
Council papers published on 2 July state the funds will support an extra 1,200 home care packages and 300 additional day centre slots over the next financial year. The move follows a 14 percent rise in demand recorded by Hackney Adult Social Care between April 2025 and March 2026.
Why the timing matters for the borough
National changes to the adult social care charging reforms were delayed again in June. Hackney Council officers told the cabinet that the borough could not wait for central government rules and therefore adjusted its own spending plan. The decision was taken at the 30 June cabinet meeting.
Residents in wards such as Homerton and Brownswood will see the first new assessments offered from September. Local advocates note that current waiting times for a care needs assessment average 47 days. The additional budget is projected to cut that average by 12 days once fully rolled out.
Expert and community reactions
Policy analysts at the London Boroughs Association point out that Hackney's per-resident adult social care spend will rise from £487 to £519 in 2026-27. Community groups in Stoke Newington have asked for clearer information on how the extra places will be allocated between older people and working-age adults with disabilities.
Implementation guidance is due from the council's commissioning team by 15 August. Residents can check eligibility updates on the Hackney Council website or by calling the adult social care contact centre on 020 8356 5500.