Adult Social Care Discharge Fund – reminder

Earlier this month (18 November), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published guidance on how the £500 million Adult Social Care Discharge Fund will be distributed, as well as conditions governing its use.

The information is intended for use by those responsible for delivering the Better Care Fund (BCF) at a local level – such as councils, integrated care boards (ICBs), directors of adult social services, NHS Acute Trusts, Mental Health Trusts and Community Trusts.

It sets out the funding allocations for the Adult Social Care Discharge Fund. Of the funding, 40% (£200 million) will be distributed to councils and 60% (£300 million) to ICBs.

Councils and ICBs are asked to work together to plan how to spend the funding locally. It also sets out detail for how this fund will be distributed, as well as conditions governing its use.

The documents are an addition to the BCF policy framework.

They should also be read along with the BCF planning requirements for 2022 to 2023, published separately by NHS England and the Local Government Association.