Adult social care
A singular opportunity for the social care workforce
Better pay is crucial to stopping workforce ‘churn’, says Stephen Chandler. The impact of COVID-19 on the economy is a chance to highlight social care as a growing sector that can offer secure careers and be a local engine of recovery, he adds.
The future of social care
After 25 years of inaction, the Government has the chance to create a lasting legacy of a reformed, sustainably-funded social care system, says Kathryn Smith.
Short-term funding has held back care, says watchdog
Short-term funding has held back investment in the unstable £16.5bn adult social care market despite a forecast 57% in demand from the over-65s by 2036 says a report from the National Audit Office (NAO).
Pushing for influence on the national stage
Heather Jameson talks to chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Graham Farrant, about the outlook for local communities and economies two years on from the birth of the new unitary.
Plymouth to create council-owned care company
Plymouth City Council will create its own care company after a number of providers warned they could not provide services at short notice.
Future Forum North: 'Business rates will be like Tudor beard tax'
A senior finance director has said ‘anachronistic’ business rates are ‘going in the direction of the Tudor beard tax’.
Unfinished business
The vision in Budget 2021 focused on a global, green, high tech economy, ‘but there was no sign of local government, local public services or local institutions of any sort’, says Dr Jonathan Carr-West.
Health and care White Paper sends 'wrong message'
Further regulation and intervention will not improve social care, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
It’s time for councils to step up and give a lead on care home visiting
Local authorities should support local care homes to find creative ways to open up to relatives, says Claire Fox.
Councils call for extra cash for expanded shielding list
Councils have called for more access to data and extra cash to deal with sharp spike in the number of people shielding from coronavirus.
Long-term funding for local government looks ominous
In her first column for The MJ, and in her role as the incoming president of the Society of County Treasurers, Lorna Baxter says her worry is 'not the short-term funding issues, but the longer-term impacts on local government'.
Simple tips for success
Liz Bruce offers tips on what it takes to ‘get there, survive and thrive’ as a director of adult social care.
A winning champion for change
Anna Earnshaw’s role in improving the social care department at troubled Northamptonshire CC won her the award of Corporate Director of the Year in The MJ Achievement Awards last year. Heather Jameson talked to her about her achievement.
A social care model that’s fit for the future
A new report sets out the key ingredients of a better social care system, using a delivery model that is both optimised and local, say James Maker and Daniel Sperrin.
Confident about care
Hertfordshire CC’s new director of adult care services Chris Badger talks to Ann McGauran about investing in extra care housing, COVID’s legacy of loneliness, care market sustainability, and developing diverse teams.
Put people first
The future of care and support must be built around our homes and in our communities, writes Stephen Chandler.
Elderly in new campaign of civil disobedience
Up to two million older people in the UK denied the social care support they need could refuse to pay their council tax in protest.
Why Hackney's sharing of Windrush heroes’ stories stood out
Hackney LBC received the ‘delivering best outcomes’ award at The MJ Achievement Awards. Martin Ford looks at the reasons behind the success of its Windrush Generations programme.
Four Seasons to be sold
An auction of care home operator Four Seasons Health Care is being prepared, according to reports.
Council refuses to put COVID patients in care homes
Enfield LBC has said it will not comply with requests to look at providing beds for COVID-positive patients in care homes.
