An LGO report highlights the dangers of councils over-relying on informal social care arrangements. Dr Jane Martin explains how the organisation's jurisdiction covers all the angles.

It is a common occurrence for family members to provide care and support to loved ones. Often it is on an informal basis, and part and parcel of the bond between families, and sometimes it is where they have been ‘employed' through Direct Payments by someone who has been assessed by the council as eligible for social care.