Social Care
Care satisfaction hits all-time low
Public satisfaction with social care services has slumped to the lowest level ever recorded, according to a new survey.
PAC: Government has ‘no roadmap’ for fixing social care
The Government has ‘no roadmap’ for fixing the failing social care system and ‘nothing meaningful’ in place that might demonstrate progress, MPs have warned.
Children's services commissioner appointed at Tameside
A commissioner for children’s services has been appointed at Tameside MBC in the wake of a watchdog’s damning report.
Adult social care demand reaches unprecedented high
The King’s Fund’s annual social care report published today found adult care requests hit a record high of two million while costs for councils have outstripped inflation.
Care sector 'in the dark' over immigration clampdown
The public has been have been ‘left in the dark’ over the impact on social care following a clampdown on immigration rules, peers have said.
OBR: Council borrowing for capital to halve
Council borrowing for capital projects is expected to almost halve due to curbs on commercial loans and interest rate rises.
Daring to be bold
The MJ’s series on building a new vision for local government, drawing from the 2007 Lyons Review, continues as Piali Das Gupta looks at how councils can do hard things successfully. 'We should have every confidence in the strength of our offer.'
National care service overhaul fails to charm councils
Councils in Scotland remain unconvinced by proposals to create a national care service.
14 councils ‘likely’ to issue s114s next year
More than half of councils are likely to issue a section 114 notice within the next Parliament unless funding is reformed, senior local authority figures have warned.
Two-thirds of councils to cut neighbourhood services
Community services will have to be ‘drastically scaled back’ or cut altogether without further funding for councils, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Creating a Centre for Population Health
Professor Durka Dougall explains how the Centre for Population Health can support health and care leaders in prioritising a more equal future for everyone.
Former social care chief sentenced for drug offences
An ex-deputy director of social care at Bradford MDC has been sentenced after pleading guilty to offering to supply and possessing a class A drug.
MPs demand fundamental reform of council funding
The Government has been urged by a cross-party committee of MPs to address the ‘out-of-control financial crisis’ gripping councils.
Sunderland care workers in equal pay dispute
Female care workers in Sunderland are taking legal action against the city council in a row over equal pay.
Challenges remain following funding boost
A £600m boost to the Local Government Finance Settlement has been welcomed, but has not resolved the sector’s funding issues, the Government has been warned.
Social care career reforms ‘only scratch the surface’
The Government today announced new measures to improve the career prospects of social care staff but concerns remain that this ‘may only scratch the surface’ of the workforce crisis.
Care bosses ‘blindsided’ by foreign dependents ban
Social care bosses were ‘blindsided’ by ministers’ ban on international staff bringing dependents to the UK and fear an exodus from the sector, an expert has warned.
Government ‘stands ready to speak’ to any council on funding
Local government minister Simon Hoare says the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement delivers ‘an above inflation increase’ and shows the Government’s commitment to supporting councils.
Scots make bumpy start – but will England follow the plan?
As the relationship between Scottish councils, unions and Holyrood ministers remains tense as they move towards a National Care Service, the idea continues to be mooted in England. Paul Marinko reports.
Delayed discharges up since 2021 despite £1.3bn extra funding
Delayed hospital discharges have risen by 14% in two years despite the Government investing £1.3bn in tackling the issue.