Care Act
Councillors fear blame for looming tax rise
Senior councillors have expressed fears they will be blamed for raising council tax amid a false perception that the Government has sorted social care.
Fixing social care
Kathryn Smith outlines her main concerns about the Government’s new plans for tackling the crisis in social care and offers her vision for a ‘fully transformed’ system.
Seven councils freed from Care Act duties
Seven English councils have taken advantage of temporary changes that allow them to reduce their Care Act duties as part of their response to coronavirus.
Hunt hints at green paper contents
Health and social care secretary Jeremy Hunt has said a debate with the public is needed about where funding should come from in future.
Health and care reform challenge 'greatest since welfare state creation'
Health and social care face the ‘greatest reform challenge since the creation of the welfare state,’ the chief executive of the NHS Confederation has said.
Directors welcome care wage report
Adult social care directors have welcomed a report that reveals more than 200,000 care workers are being paid less than the minimum wage.
Counties and mets fight over settlement
A lobbying battle has broken out between Metropolitan and county councils in the wake of the local government finance settlement, The MJ understands.
Making health and care integration work
Senior social service directors recently met in a round table debate to discuss how to overcome obstacles to integration and how technology can help deliver the agenda. Paul Dinsdale reports
Care funding gap to reach £3bn
Town hall chiefs have warned the social care funding gap is to rise to £2.9bn by the end of the decade.
Looking at the long-term
Growing demand and shrinking resources are placing severe pressures on social care for adults, according to Cllr Izzi Seccombe
More support to help authorities apply Care Act
Support for councils to implement the Care Act will be reviewed after a sharp increase in those saying they may need help.
DoH ‘may offer’ improved settlement for Care Act shortfalls
Care experts at Wokingham MBC and West Berkshire Council are confident the Department of Health could now cover a reported funding shortfall.
‘Forward view’ on elderly care
The Government’s new strategy for the care of older people can’t come soon enough, writes Andrew Kaye.
A voice for social change in Whitehall
Local government creates cultures open to learning, collaboration and response, says Lyn Romeo, England’s chief social worker for adults. But, work still needs to be done to bring adult social care issues to the fore. Dan Peters reports.
NAO survey highlights council Care Act concerns
Local authorities are being put under increased financial risk by Whitehall uncertainty over how much the Care Act will increase demand, a National Audit Office (NAO) report has warned.
Serious questions over Care Act implementation
There has been much discussion on the Care Act’s impact on councils at time when the social care system is under severe financial strain but the County Councils Network has now opened up a new front in this important debate, writes James Maker.
LGA calls for Care Act delay
Town hall chiefs have called for a delay implementing in the Care Act and to put the money earmarked to cap costs directly into the social care system instead.
Treating the cause
Early intervention is key to improving the lives of those in the care sector, but, with ongoing cuts, councils may need to work together to pool funding and effectively tackle problems at local level, says Dame Clare Tickell.
Social workers not equipped to implement Care Act
The Care Act was implemented on April 1 and is a momentous piece of legislation for all who work in adult social care but the British Association of Social Workers has concerns.
Decisions, decisions
Health and social care funding will take centre stage at the upcoming LGA conference, but Cllr Izzi Seccombe questions whether local authorities will get the opportunity to shape their own services
