Stoke-on-Trent City Council has secured £9.14 million from the government to support changes to children’s and adult social care services.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed an award from its transformation fund. The council will receive £4.14 million in 2026/27, with a further £5 million allocated for 2027/28 subject to satisfactory progress during the first year.
How the funding will be used
For children’s social care, the council says the money will support family group decision-making, reunification services, fostering recruitment and support, and a new support hub intended to reduce reliance on costly external residential placements.
The authority says the programme is designed to reduce demand, improve outcomes and create a more sustainable children’s social care system.
In adult social care, the award will support community-based prevention work, including Community Lounges delivered with voluntary-sector partners. The council also plans to redesign services around a therapy-led model intended to help people remain independent for longer.
Fourteen councils received a combined £91 million from the fund. Stoke-on-Trent’s allocation was the second highest, behind Bradford, according to the city council.
Council leader Jane Ashworth said: “This is great news for the city and a vote of confidence in the transformation work that is already under way.”
She said protecting children, helping adults live independently and responding to increasing demand were among the council’s most important responsibilities.
“We are changing the way we deliver services in order to meet this demand and provide the standards of care that people expect,” Councillor Ashworth said.
She added that adequate funding was vital and welcomed the government’s support for the council’s proposals.
The funding details and comments were supplied by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The accompanying image is a Local Gazette editorial illustration.
