Social Care
Extra £50m funding for Scottish social care
Social care in Scotland will be given a £50m funding boost to help meet the cost of the coronavirus crisis.
Local government was poorly prepared for pandemic, report finds
A decade of spending cuts, staff shortages and poor contacts with Whitehall meant local government was poorly prepared to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, a report from the Institute for Government think-tank has said.
Centralising care won’t help anyone
Without adult social care, councils would be self-sufficient on business rates, council tax, fees and charges, says Heather Jameson. But it is not just the budget that matters, it is the people, she adds.
Keeping positive outside crisis time
The better nature of people has come to the fore during the recent pandemic, but how do we keep the momentum going in more ‘normal’ times? Dan Corry poses the question.
Long-term care in the wake of COVID-19
Baroness Sally Greengross says the care home sector should not have been ignored in planning for COVID-19, and it is now time for urgent reform to address fundamental structural problems.
New safeguarding system delayed
The full implementation of the replacement of the ‘overly bureaucratic and complicated’ deprivation of liberty safeguards has been delayed by 18 months.
Dilnot brands care system a 'stain on the nation'
The social care system is a ‘stain on the nation’ says the architect of the review that in 2011 backed a £35,000 cap on care costs and a reform of means testing.
Let’s not paper over the cracks
Nathan Elvery examines the impact of spending cuts on councils and communities over a decade and highlights that they are dealing with COVID-19 while balanced on a precarious cliff edge.
Seeking a ray of fiscal hope
Sector experts say the chancellor’s summer statement may ease some pressures on local economies, but does not offer councils any more on funding. Heather Jameson gauges the reaction.
Investing in people’s futures now
Disappointed not to have been given a nod last week in the chancellor’s summer statement? Sir Bob Neill says it should be seen as a prologue to the autumn Budget.
Future proofing the power of social care data
The London ADASS region has quickly evolved a social care quality standards platform into a vital COVID-19 data collection tool. Ben Chance explains.
Government 'failed to prepare' on PPE, say MPs
The Government has failed to ensure there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE) in the event of a second wave of coronavirus, a watchdog warned today.
Lib Dems - 'We need a devolution revolution to drive the green revolution'
Fixing social care, tackling climate change, addressing deep-seated inequalities and rebuilding the economy are the ‘enormous challenges’ ahead, says acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
Care chiefs reject Boris' COVID claims
Care chiefs have rejected claims by Prime Minister Boris Johnson that it was their lack of vigilance that led to a high number of coronavirus deaths in care homes.
NHS chief calls for social care reforms within a year
Sir Simon Stevens has called for a solution to properly fund adult social care to be brought forward within the next year.
Jenrick: We'll back local government
Robert Jenrick has promised that Whitehall will back local government in the same way councils ‘stepped up and supported people in their time of need’.
Boris sets off on the COVID comeback trail
Boris Johnson’s speech in Dudley was ‘a mastery of political tub-thumpery’, says Heather Jameson. ‘But beyond the soundbites, much of the PM’s speech was a rehash of manifesto commitments and pre-announced cash.'
The care home sector 'entered the pandemic on the back foot'
The suggestion that a 'protective ring' was cast around care homes is difficult to swallow, writes Rob Whiteman. The sector was 'certainly not given the tools to cope with any kind of financial shock ahead of time', he adds.
Health chiefs deny care home 'recklessness'
Health chiefs have rejected allegations that discharging elderly NHS patients into care homes at the height of the pandemic in April was ‘reckless.’
Ensuring continuity of care during COVID-19
What happens when home isn't a safe place to be? Julie Tyas discusses how tech is becoming the eyes and ears of social workers during the pandemic.
