News
Nottingham issues s114 notice
Nottingham City Council has issued a section 114 notice after failing to deliver a balanced budget for the current financial year.
New chief executive to take over at Cheshire East
Cheshire East Council is expected to appoint Rob Polkinghorne as its new permanent chief executive.
NCASC: 'Watch this space' on spiralling cost of children's placements
The sector should ‘watch this space’ for an announcement from the Government on the spiralling costs of private placements for children, a minister said today.
NCASC: Social care 'doing a good job' getting investment
Those working in adult social care are ‘already doing a very good job at getting investment and commitments to reform’, according to government minister Helen Whately.
Home Office admits 'more we can and need to do'
More needs to be done to share data and improve communications with councils, Home Office mandarins have admitted.
NCASC: Government must make 'some difficult decisions' on children's services
The Government must make ‘some difficult decisions’ if it is ‘not able or willing’ to provide funding to meet the financial pressures in children’s services, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services has said.
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Opinion
Putting healthcare’s vision first
Matthew Taylor says the challenge is to enable what happens in the NHS – the ‘industrial system’ – to succeed while also becoming more aligned with the wider ambition of the social model
Is regulation restricting our freedom to deliver?
If you sit round the council board table today, you might see your chief executive scratching their head over the Office for Local Government (Oflog) and your housing director getting to grips with the Social Housing Regulator.
Dealing with the issues of isolation
Natasha Langleben questions how many councils know how to apply to the Accelerating Reform Fund for Adult Social Care and asks if a portal promoting partnerships would help boost grant applications.
Using ‘assurance’ to aid recruitment
Inspections can prove a troubling time for organisations, but preparation and support for your staff can reap benefits in the long term. Craig Clarke of GatenbySanderson explains.
Making sure accountancy stays rewarding and exciting
'Technology and social value are with us now, but we are reacting, not leading. We need to start planning to use it to retain and attract talent', says Michael Hudson.
Santa or the Grinch? No quick fix for fail finances
Heather Jameson says: 'It all comes back to the same issues over and again for local government. The funding system is fundamentally broken.'
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Best Practice
Partnerships will unlock potential of Oxfordshire’s children
Children and young people are at the heart of Oxfordshire’s partnership approach – a shared vision to give them the very best start in life, says Cllr John Howson.
Analysis
Innovation keeps the wheels on social care
With no prospects of long-term funding solutions, social care teams are having to focus on creative initiatives and partnership working – and the Autumn Statement has added to the pressure. Paul Marinko reports.
Private sector
View from the Hill
By partnering with a search firm that prioritises exceptional candidate experience councils can ultimately achieving their recruitment goals and enhancing their overall effectiveness, says Greg Hayes.
Penna announces new managing director
Kathryn Kempster will take the reins from Julie Towers, who will step down as managing director next month.
A Faer Point
Partner at Faerfield Dawn Faulkner says: 'There’s a popular assumption that ‘the more you know about me, the better we can do business together’ – but what if the opposite were true?'
