Salford City Council is set to take over the delivery of adult social care services for more than 800 residents, bringing them back in-house. Since 2015, these services have been managed by Aspire for Intelligent Care and Support, a community interest company. Aspire's team of around 350 staff has been providing 744,000 hours of care annually to adults with various needs, including learning disabilities, dementia, and elderly care.
On Tuesday, April 22, the council's cabinet decided to transition these services back to the council's management. This transition will span 10 months, concluding on March 31, 2026. The process will involve careful planning and consultation with the staff and collaboration with Aspire to ensure that service continuity is maintained for those receiving support and their families.
This decision aligns with the council's Corporate Plan for 2024-2028, which emphasizes valuing the workforce in adult social care and safeguarding services that help residents live independent and fulfilling lives.
Councillor John Merry, cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “Following our pledge to work toward in-sourcing social care and the commitment in the council’s Corporate Plan 2024-28 to protect services that support our residents in Salford, significant work has been underway to develop recommendations on how to take this forward. The cabinet decision means that adult social care services currently being delivered under contract by Aspire will come back to the council’s adult social care directorate from April 2026. We are committed to working closely with Aspire and all staff involved to successfully manage the transition period.
“The services delivered by Aspire over the past 10 years have been an asset to the city, and we have seen a dedicated workforce provide high quality care and support to residents. We are excited about welcoming the Aspire team back into the council and learning from all the teams and their wealth of experience in terms of growing the services offered in the city.
“While we recognise the value the council places on social care and the drive to protect and professionalise the sector, we understand that this will mean a period of change for staff involved and every support will be provided to manage the transition. The knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm of Aspire staff will be of critical importance as we move back under council control and staff views and opinions will continue to be heard through the transition phase, and will continue when the services move back to the council.”
Lisa Dickinson, chief executive of Aspire for Intelligent Care and Support, said: “We are committed to working with the council through this transition period, while supporting our staff and ensuring that residents continue to receive the high quality of services required to meet their needs.”
Salford City Council is committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all. To achieve this vision, it has set out seven interconnected priorities as the focus for our work from 2024 to 2028.
- Good growth
- A good home for all
- Tackling poverty and inequality
- Creating places where people want to live
- A child friendly city
- Responding to climate change
- Healthy lives and quality of care for all.
Image credit: iStock
