Social Care
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At this time of year, Diary’s inbox is flooded with mostly dull press releases urging people to attend this conference event or that.
West Sussex set to probe nine care homes
West Sussex CC has revealed it is investigating nine care homes owned by a private operator after 12 people died.
‘Sector let down by housing association’s poor governance’
The largest housing association in Sunderland has been downgraded after a regulator found senior staff who left were awarded packages that were not sufficiently scrutinised.
Winter is coming – but don’t overlook the other pressures
Raise the profile of social work, cut out the arguments with health and stop getting sidetracked by the ever looming winter pressures, says Margaret Willcox as she speaks to Sam Clayden ahead of the National Children and Adult Services Conference.
Willcox: Focus on delayed transfers is short-sighted
The emphasis on delayed transfers of care (DTOC) and looming winter pressures is ‘short-sighted’ and arguments with the NHS are a ‘waste of time,’ a senior social care director has warned.
Cornwall may take over CCG's management
NHS England might ask Cornwall Council to take over the management of a clinical commissioning group (CCG), a damning report has revealed.
CCN vows to hold LGA to account over fairer funding
The chair of the County Councils’ Network has vowed to hold the Local Government Association’s (LGA) ‘feet to the flames’ as top-tier authorities seek fairer funding.
Chief defends council’s peformance after critical report on kids’ services
Worcestershire CC’s interim chief executive has insisted there are now ‘green shoots’ after a damning report on the council’s children’s services from a government commissioner.
Budget submissions led by CIPFA Brexit warning
The financial implications of a Brexit deal should be taken into account when the chancellor decides on his Budget, financial experts at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has stressed.
Care ‘catastrophe’
Friction rises as council leaders warn over Whitehall’s threats to withhold bed-blocking cash.
DCN in prevention precept call
District councils have called for the introduction of a new health precept on council tax to raise £25m for preventative measures.
Council to slash adult social care budget by £56m
Hampshire CC has agreed to cut nearly £56m from its adult social care budget as part of plans to save £120m by 2019.
Let’s get back local government’s voice
Ahead of the Labour Party Conference, Nick Forbes outlines some of the challenges for local authorities and his hopes for the party in this next phase of governnance
From scrutiniser to being scrutinised
Tracie Evans on the differences now she is interim deputy chief executive at Haringey LBC.
Council takes back control of children’s services
Rotherham MBC has won back democratic control of all functions apart from children’s social care, the Government has confirmed.
Sector-led approach shows results for kids’ services
A new approach to sector-led improvement for children’s services could be announced next month, The MJ understands.
Working together
If districts and counties can overcome their differences, they can use their collective knowledge to achieve extraordinary improvements that neither could bring about on their own, writes Paul Smith.
What went wrong in Rotherham
Sam Clayden analyses the findings of six independent investigations delving into alleged failures at Rotherham MBC at the height of the child sexual exploitation scandal.
LGA to launch early intervention support to councils
The Local Government Association is to offer support to local authorities to deliver prevention and early intervention activities.
Tackling loneliness with technology
Graham Allen and David Rees reveal how a recent project in Hampshire has shown how digital technology can help address the growing problem of chronic loneliness for the elderly.