Better Care Fund
Calm prevails despite tough times
A lack of clarity on funding, including on temporary monies for social care and SEND beyond 31 March 2021 means these are challenging times, says Gary Fielding - but despite this most senior officers and councillors seem remarkably calm, he adds.
Councils under ministerial pressure over winter care funding
Ministers have piled pressure on councils to maintain winter funding for home care packages, hours of care and care home placements as bed blocking increases.
Medway's success in reducing delayed transfers of care
Chris McKenzie outlines how innovation and strong partnership working has enabled Medway to reduce levels of delayed transfers of care (DToC) to among some of the lowest levels in the region.
Money for something
The Spending Round announcement last week seems a positive move for the sector on the face of it, but raises questions over the the future balance between central control and local discretion says David Phillips.
Districts are still waiting for those funding assurances
The opening of the Treasury's purse since the new Prime Minister came into office may augur well for district councils and the rest of local government, says Ian Miller.
Councils face more funding uncertainty
‘Indicative numbers’ for the amount councils will receive in 2020/21 will not be published before next month’s Spending Review, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has admitted after it missed a self-imposed deadline.
Why Staffordshire dares to care
Without a national solution, it’s likely councils will have to intervene even more in the care of the elderly. Dr Richard Harling explains why Staffordshire CC has chosen to launch its own nursing home venture
Showtime by the seaside
Ministers, mandarins, town hall, Whitehall and more all met in Bournemouth last week for the Local Government Association conference. Michael Burton reports on the highlights
What future for local services?
As public sector finance specialists prepare to attend CIPFA's annual conference in Birmingham this week, speaker at the event Graham Atkins says delays to the Spending Review mean councils must plan for more efficiencies.
A case of cuts and a confidence crisis
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’ annual survey reveals a pessimistic sector. Martin Ford reports.
The art of budgeting
We need to know what extra money we are going to get in the Spending Review, not just a continuation of funding streams such as the Improved Better Care Fund (IBCF), says Tony Kirkham.
The cost of the care challenge
The recent collapse into administration of care provider Four Seasons has highlighted the huge financial pressures the sector faces. Michael Burton examines the figures
Call for greater focus on culture change in integration drive
Huge cultural and behavioural differences between health and care need more consideration, consultancy Impower has urged.
Social care precept 'avoided catastrophe'
The introduction of the social care precept ‘avoided catastrophe’ but the sector still faces a funding gap of at least £15bn, a senior figure told The MJ’s Future Forum today.
Call for outcome focus as DToC pressure reduces
Health and social care systems should increase their focus on outcomes for individuals as Whitehall softens its threats around delayed transfer of care (DToC) figures, a report today has suggested.
New data proves iBCF impact
More than two out of three English councils were able to increase home care provision as a result of the Improved Better Care Fund, according to new data.
Integration progress 'slower than anticipated'
Progress on health and social care integration has been ‘much slower than anticipated,’ senior councillors have heard.
Better Care Fund stand-off continues
The stand-off between the Local Government Association (LGA) and Better Care Fund (BCF) officials will continue after Smith Square refused to endorse the latest guidance.
Simon Stevens outlines 'opportunity to review' Better Care Fund
The social care green paper and NHS’ 10-year plan provides an ‘opportunity to review’ the Better Care Fund (BCF), NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens has suggested.
Rising social care costs spell doom for services
Council spending on adult social care is squeezing cash out of other services, fresh analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has shown.
