Social Care
Prospective Barchester buyer withdraws
A mooted sale of a major UK care home provider has been called off.
ADCS conference: More councils improve Ofsted ratings after regime change
A greater number of councils are receiving better Ofsted ratings for their children’s services after the inspectorate introduced a ‘more proportionate’ regime.
Lib Dem leadership hopeful promises devolution revolution
Liberal Democrat leadership hopeful Jo Swinson has said that if she is elected to the top role this summer ‘ we will oversee a devolution revolution’ .
The clock is ticking on the push for devolution
There will be little bandwidth for local government policy in the coming months, says Heather Jameson. Her lesson to the victor of the LGA's very own leadership election is: don't wait.
Councils must fill the vacuum at the top of government
Some might argue that central Government should be the sector to provide the reassurance to local government that it has a clue about what to do next, says Michael Burton
Is the ‘under the radar’ devolution of the NHS the future for our health and social care system?
Phil Hope and Steve Barwick highlight a new essay collection that reveals an ‘under the radar’ trend for devolution of the NHS. They ask: is devolution the future for health and social care?
LGA politics in a time of turmoil
As the sector descends on Bournemouth for the Local Government Association conference this week, the four political groups outline their priorities for the coming year.
Johnson v Hunt
As the race to become the next prime minister continues, Heather Jameson looks at what the candidates could mean for local government once Brexit is over.
'Real cuts' warning after overspend
Rotherham MBC faces having to make ‘real cuts and reductions in service provision’ after recording a £9.6m overspend in 2018/19.
Enabling a single version of the truth
Samantha Fitzgerald describes how Northamptonshire’s real time health and social care capacity tool is integrating system data to reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments and help manage capacity within adult social care.
Bring on the robots
AI could be a great time-saver in workplaces dealing with complex processes, writes Claire Fox, but making work robotic should not be confused with technology’s exciting potential.
Government must invest to take pressure off hospitals, says ADASS
Central government needs to invest in social care and primary health in a bid to take the pressure off hospitals, the president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has said.
Giving the sector a voice on AI
Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Lord Jonathan Evans says Artificial Intelligence can revolutionise local government – but it must do so in line with standards that the public expect.
Jam tomorrow from the Conservative candidates
As the candidates for election as prime minister are targeting 2% of the voters - namely Conservative Party members who are mainly older, white, wealthier, and Brexiteers - it is barely surprising they focus on the goodies, says Michael Burton.
A fair care package at a fair price with fair wages
Dr Andrew Larner says it is more important than ever to understand whether a fair price is being paid for a package of care that is fair to the service user
The sound of silence
The history of attempts to achieve joined-up health and social care reads like a bad songbook for people of a certain age, says Martin Farrow.
Care provider warns of sector collapse unless action is taken
The executive director of Mears Alan Long sets out what he believes is needed to save a domiciliary care sector in crisis:
Funding’s stark reality needs an honest debate
The IFS concluded in its report that local government finances are broken and we need a national discussion on whether to raise taxes or cut services. Heather Jameson says the sector needs to be honest and open about the debate.
Panorama care programme prompts police probe
A police investigation has been launched after the BBC’s Panorama programme uncovered abuse and maltreatment of vulnerable adults at a Durham hospital.
The talk of the town
An increasing number of conversations these days are liberally peppered with references to fantasy drama Game of Thrones these days.