Adult social care
PPE supply for care workers was 'inadequate'
The social care sector was ‘left to fend for itself’ during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an investigation into supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Domestic abuse victim funding fails to meet demands
New funding to support victims of domestic abuse does not go far enough, campaigners have argued.
More Section 114 notices predicted next year
Local authorities are facing deep cuts to frontline services and Section 114 notices next year, the sector has warned.
Plea for £1.6bn winter care funding
Social care directors have made an appeal to the Government for a new funding package.
Redesign services for a COVID era, says CQC chief
The chief executive of the Care Quality Commission has called for services to be redesigned for a ‘COVID era’ that could last for many years.
Care home occupancy down over Grim Reaper fears
People are reluctant to put their relatives into care homes because they think the ‘Grim Reaper is waiting at the gate,’ a senior councillor has warned.
Care Act easements 'politicised'
A ‘sense of injustice’ among adult care directors has been detailed in a report on the use of easements in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NCAS: Experts call for a social care solution
There must be ‘no more procrastination’ on resolving the issues of adult social care that have been exposed by the COVID crisis, experts have warned.
Short-termism can be expensive
COVID-19 has laid bare the numerous challenges faced by adult social care. Iain MacBeath, NCASC 2020 speaker on funding and reform, says now is the time to take a risk and develop the integrated services we’ve aspired to.
Councils stare into a highly uncertain financial future
Extra funding will help English councils this year, but big questions remain for 2021 and beyond, says associate director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies David Phillips.
Reading refuses to send COVID-19 patients to care homes
Reading Council is to defy a Government order to provide care home places for Covid-19 positive patients.
Council leaders welcome £7bn care investment call
Local government leaders have welcomed a call from MPs for a £7bn annual increase in social care funding as a first step towards fixing the ongoing crisis.
Persist and survive
We will get through and beyond the ‘six-month wall’ and survive this crisis by working together and looking out for each other, says president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services James Bullion.
Working together to protect care homes in Leicester
Leicester’s success in stopping COVID-related deaths in care homes is due to data, system working and trust , says the city council's strategic director for social care and education Martin Samuels.
Care workers gained autonomy in pandemic
Care workers benefited from extra ‘autonomy’ from commissioners during the COVID-19 lockdown, MPs heard today.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked report warns sector less ready for Brexit transition
Local government is less ready for the end of the transition period than it was for a no-deal Brexit last October, a Whitehall document leaked to The MJ has warned.
Dilnot presses for care overhaul
Social care reform should take place now despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Sir Andrew Dilnot has argued.
Balancing the risks
Councils should ‘stop shaping all policies based on counting COVID cases and need to start balancing risks across a broader spectrum’, writes Claire Fox.
No solution in sight for social care crisis
Sir Keir’s criticism is spot-on, says Heather Jameson. Social care during the pandemic has been a national disgrace, and 'constantly pushing social care solutions into the long grass is unforgivable'.
Starmer vows to tackle the 'decade of drift' on sorting social care
Government failure to protect care homes during the pandemic is a ‘national scandal’, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told his party’s virtual conference today.
