Day Services (All Ages 18+)

Day Services is one of the six subgroups that Norfolk Care Association runs as a mechanism to work closely with adult social care providers. Each sub-group represents a key segment of adult social care, allowing us to disseminate targeted information, gather focused insights and intelligence, and explore sector needs, challenges, and priorities.

Day services (or day opportunities) are often formally defined as community- or building-based services that provide care, clubs, and activities specifically for adults with care and support needs. The intention is that these activities support wellbeing and health, help people to remain living at home, and enable informal carers to sustain their caring role.

In reality, day services can encompass almost any activity that supports people to live fulfilling lives. Community-based provision, such as clubs and activity groups, can include people both with and without formal social care needs. Day opportunities are also more likely to involve informal, community-sector, and volunteer-led provision alongside more formalised services delivering complex support to individuals.

Unlike most other social care provision, day services are not normally regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Subgroup Meetings

20th November 2025 10:00 am - 11:30 am

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20th November 2025 10:00 am - 11:30 am

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a care home resident undertaking flower arranging

The Norfolk Picture

As day services are less regulated and cover a broad range of provision, gaining a complete picture is more challenging.

Currently, Norfolk County Council–funded provision supports the following:

Older People – 228 individuals supported across 45 care locations, with an annual investment of £0.77 million
Physical Disabilities – 164 individuals supported across 56 care locations, with an annual investment of £0.9 million
Mental Health – 681 individuals supported across 44 care locations, with an annual investment of £3.8 million
Learning Disability and Autism – 1,239 individuals supported across 71 care locations, with an annual investment of £17.6 million

Source: Norfolk County Council – Market analysis of community-based services

However, much of the day opportunity provision operates within the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, and relies on fundraising or charging fees directly to participants.

What Can Norfolk Care Association Do?

Norfolk Care Association runs quarterly sector subgroup meetings for providers supporting individuals with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and physical disabilities. We also advocate on behalf of providers, raising issues that affect the sector, and curate relevant information and resources to support best practice.

Interested in joining this subgroup?

Become a Norfolk Care Association member to be the first to know about upcoming meetings.

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