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Social care

Coventry uses its resource allocation system to aim for better client outcomes

Coventry Council is using its resource allocation system to ensure support for people is based on the outcomes they want to achieve, not their needs.

MPs rubbish government social care claims

A report by MPs on the health select committee has concluded that councils cannot promise to keep eligibility criteria at current levels. Health secretary Andrew Lansley told the committee that efficiency savings, pay freezes and the funding settlement was enough to sustain current care provision but the MPs disagreed.

Eric Pickles unveils biggest council budget cuts in recent times

The communities secretary, Eric Pickles, has announced the biggest cuts to council budgets in recent times, but was forced to provide an emergency £85m fund to protect the poorest areas, so that no council will face a cut in funding of more than 8.9% next year.

CQC publishes the results of the latest Annual Performance Assessment of councils

The CQC’s findings from the latest Annual Performance Assessment of councils responsible for adult social care services show that councils continued to commission a high standard of adult social care throughout 2009/10.

First Data Protection Act fines issued by commissioner

Hertfordshire County Council has been fined £100,000 by the Information Commissioner for breaching the Data Protection Act after it faxed details of a child sex abuse case to a member of the public. The commissioner said the fines - the first he has issued - would "send a strong message" to those handling data.

Survey suggests there are four times more young carers in the UK than are officially recognised

One in 12 of the 4,029 schoolchildren asked by the BBC said they had caring responsibilities - such as dressing, washing or bathing family members. If the survey reflects the country as a whole, it would mean there are about 700,000 young carers in the UK.

400,000 vulnerable people at risk as councils slash Supporting People

The National Housing Federation have warned that this could be the consequence of local authorities making cuts of up to 40% from 2011-15 in the programme and would lead to a rise in homelessness, crime and disorder, causing other costs to rise.

EHRC launches inquiry into human rights of older people receiving care at home

The Equality and Human Rights Commission's inquiry into the home care of older people will investigate whether the current legislative, regulatory and quality control systems offer enough human rights protection. As part of the inquiry it will gather the views of older people, their family and friends about their experiences.

Appeal court ruling clears way for councils to cut social care services

Local councils have been given the green light by the courts to cut social care services to elderly and disabled people previously assessed by law as needing them.

Carers could earn 'credits' towards own future care

A scheme allowing people who help the elderly or disabled to earn time credits for their own care later in life is being considered by ministers. The Government is examining whether a form of the care credit system, which successfully operates in Japan, could also work in the UK.

Councils slow on personal budgets says Audit Commission

Many councils are struggling with moves to give individual people their own budgets to spend on social care according to a report published by the Audit Commission. While some local authorities are on course to meet the target of offering 30% of eligible people their own budget by April 2011, most are not. In particular, people with mental health problems could miss out, the report claims.

Burstow announces £4.4m boost for carers' support

In an interview for  Community Care, care services minister Paul Burstow revealed details of targeted measures to improve awareness of carers among frontline professionals through 11 awareness-raising and capacity-building projects.

CQC ratings will measure staff-service user relationships

Staff relationships with service users will be at the heart of a revised quality rating system for providers run by the Care Quality Commission. "We need to concentrate on the things that are important to people: how engaged are they, are they treated with respect, do they have plenty of choice and are they treated as an individual," said CQC chair Jo Williams.

£70 million support to help people in their homes after illness or injury

Around 35,000 people will benefit from a £70 million cash boost that will enable the NHS to support people back into their homes after a spell in hospital, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced. “Re-ablement” packages give people who are leaving hospital after illness or injury help and support for six weeks.

Regulator shuts down 40 care homes or agencies

More than 40 care homes or agencies have closed in the past year after regulatory action by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Local government reform

A summary of local government initiatives from Brighton & Hove City Council, Suffolk County Council and London Borough of Barnet Council.

Carers heading towards crisis point

Nearly half of carers (45%) are depressed about their financial position, a Princess Royal Trust for Carers (PRTC) study reveals.

Young man's suicide prompts care leaver case review

Concern about support for young adult care-leavers has been raised following the suicide of a former child in care in Waltham Forest, London.

Councils to deny social care support to all but most needy

Eight in 10 councils in England will not meet adult service users' moderate care needs by next year on current trends, according to Community Care.

The High Court judgement which could have implications for supported living schemes

The High Court has recently handed down a judgement which could have implications for supported living schemes.

Unions to launch campaign against cuts

Trade unions will mount a campaign of "real political potency" by mobilising public opinion against the government’s planned spending cuts Britain’s top trade union official has warned.

Adult care system still baffling the public

Widespread public confusion remains over how the adult care system works, two years after councils in England were set personalisation targets to improve information and advice for citizens, research has found.

Towards a joined-up health service

We are a long way from an integrated NHS, says a new report – but local successes may point the way forward.

Harrow becomes first UK council to launch social care 'shopping' site

Harrow has become the first council in the UK to launch an ‘Amazon-style’ website where residents who receive care can shop online for support and leisure services using their personal budget.

Joint working between health and social care in Herefordshire

Community Care says that councils would be wise to look to Herefordshire when they draw up their plans to integrate health and social care services.

Candidate for post of Care Quality Commission chair announced

Dame Jo Williams, currently interim CQC chair has emerged as the government's candidate for the permanent post.

Government launches adult care funding commission

The commission has been tasked by the DH with reporting within a year on how best to reform the care funding system.

Councils 'must transform, not slash services' to meet cuts

A group of social care consultants has urged that councils must transform social services through preventive measures rather than simply slash budgets if they are to shield vulnerable children, families and adults from the effect of substantial government cuts over the next four years.

NHS plans suggest health funding for social care

NHS resources could be directed at funding social care support for people leaving hospital, according to NHS guidance published today.

Parents with learning disabilities feel harshly judged by social workers

Parents with learning disabilities feel the most harshly judged by social workers according to a report from the children's commissioner published today.

Maintaining older people's dignity

The Social Care Institute for Excellence presents updated guidance on achieving dignity in care for older people.

Ministerial portfolios confirmed

The Department of Health has published biographies and lists of ministerial responsibilities of the new ministerial team.

Important changes to CQC’s assessment of adult social care services

CQC is working closely with the adult social care sector in developing a new system to replace quality ratings (star ratings) for registered social care services.

Budget 2010: public service waste and duplication to be cut

Councils, police forces and hospital trusts will be forced to work together as part of a drive to save billions of pounds by avoiding duplication and inefficiencies.

Care Quality Commission one year on

The Care Quality Commission has done a lot of juggling in its first year.

Personalisation: Councils get £30m to boost IT and user advice

Councils are being give £30m to fund IT improvements and improved information services to help transform adult care in line with personalisation in 2010-11.