Social workers
Ministers resist calls for further care funding
Councils should not rely on Government grants to fund social care, ministers have said.
Advisers call for minimum pay to ease care workforce crisis
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has said the Government should foot the bill for a minimum rate of £10.50 per hour for care workers in England.
Playing the long game
Rachael Wardell speaks to Ann McGauran about the capacity issues facing social workers, the need for staff to stay long enough to build long-term relationships, the pressures of intervention, and spiralling agency costs.
Driving towards great social care
Jeremy Cooper says the list of transformational change factors facing directors of adult social services may seem overwhelming, but councils have done a fantastic job at keeping focused on how to deliver great care.
Racism driving social workers to quit
Pressure caused by racism at work is taking a toll on council social workers, with one in 10 on the brink of quitting their jobs, a new report has said.
Family matters
With the findings of the independent review of children’s social care expected soon, Ann McGauran looks at what sector experts want to emerge from this once in a generation chance for transformation.
Social workers: how to recruit and retain the best
Using mental health as a key starting point, Penna’s Sonia Tanda offers some top tips on how to retain your key workers.
Councils warn of 'staffing crisis' amid exodus
Councils have warned of a ‘staffing crisis’ as the number of children and family social workers quitting the profession hits a five-year high.
A fresh approach to adult social care in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire Council is rolling out a named worker approach across the whole of adult social care, and it is believed to be the first time this has happened in England. Elaina Quesada and Ewan King explain.
How to attract the best talent
2021 was quite a year for local government recruitment, especially in social work, says Sonia Tanda. She explains some of the ways to attract the best candidates.
Leadership blamed for 'inadquate' children's services
‘Instability’ in senior leadership has led to ‘serious failures’ in Bury MBC’s children’s services, Ofsted has found.
Immigration rules relaxed for care workers
Immigration rules have been relaxed for care workers after a recommendation from experts appointed by the Government.
Inspection and review announced after court sentences two over Arthur's death
The Government has announced a local inspection and national review will take place following the abuse and murder of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
Social care White Paper ‘set up to fail’
The local government sector has praised the ambition of the long-awaited adult social care reform White Paper, but warned it will not succeed without funding to meet current demand.
What reform of adult social care should look like
Ahead of the National Children and Adult Services Conference this week, ADASS trustee Cath Roff outlines the four elements she believes should be at the heart of social care reform.
Council CEO in call for care worker funding
The chief executive of West Northamptonshire Council has joined calls for long-term funding to alleviate care worker shortages.
Help – when and where it’s needed
Norfolk CC has successfully shifted the emphasis in children's services from crisis to prevention, including remodelling its corporate parenting service for children in care and beyond. It's just the start, as Sara Tough explains.
Experts join social care commission
A panel of experts have been drafted in to help a government commission looking at the impact of Brexit on social care.
Making the leap
Patrick Melia explains Sunderland City Council’s drive and determination in taking its children’s services from inadequate to outstanding.
Social care chief reports 'unprecedented' pressures across the country
Isle of Wight Council’s social care chief has said a local incident where vulnerable people could have been left without care highlights the ‘unprecedented’ pressures happening across the country.
