Adult social care
General Election manifestos ‘not credible’ on social care
Experts have cast doubt on election pledges to fix the social care system.
Trust in councils is on the up
Trust in councils is on the rise – reaching its highest level for three years.
Major parties ‘fall short’ on social care funding commitments
None of the three major parties have pledged enough in social care funding to fix the ongoing crisis, a health think-tank has concluded.
At least 90,000 extra social workers needed to meet care reforms
An extra 90,000 care workers will be needed to provide just two hours of basic care for older people with high needs, a report has warned today.
Nine in 10 care directors concerned at winter pressures
More than 90% of adult care directors are concerned at their ability to cope with winter pressures or provider failure, a survey has found.
Let's ensure the sector gets heard above the post-election hubbub
To get its voice heard by an incoming government, the sector should unite around the main themes - including funding, national policies for both adults and children's services, place-making, infrastructure and more, says Anthony May.
Promising the earth, but are they fit for the future?
Heather Jameson says that as we approach 2020, we are greeted by election manifestos appealing more to voters harking back to history, rather than looking toward the future.
Conservatives call for care consensus in cautious manifesto
The Conservatives are set to keep the council tax cap, seek cross-party consensus on social care reform and toughen powers to tackle illegal traveller encampments if they win the General Election.
How to hurdle the adult care gap
As delegates arrive at the National Children and Adult Services (NCAS) conference in Bournemouth, John Bolton reviews two funding ‘fixes’ for the adult social care system.
Robotics in care; a question of trust?
PA Consulting is trialling 'cobots' (collaborative robots) in care settings - and reactions have so far been positive, says Lesley Grant. If the trial is successful, cobots could be an effective way to bridge the care gap, she adds.
District councils play a major role in health and well-being.
If we can keep our most vulnerable residents safe, well and happy in their own homes, this will prevent future health crises that could cost the public purse far more, says Paul Shevlin.
More cash needed to improve outcomes - report
More money on top of spending pledges made by the Government ahead of the General Election will be required to improve outcomes, public sector experts have warned.
Report urges councils to build care homes
A new report has urged greater intervention by national and local government in the care home market.
Hopson warning over politicising health and social care
Politicians should avoid using the NHS as a weapon during the General Election and instead offer ‘proper, sustainable’ solutions for the social care crisis, a leading health sector figure has argued.
'Public outcry' needed to spur social care reform
A ‘public outcry’ about the state of the social care system is needed to spark the political will to find solutions, a top mandarin has said.
Shaping a 21st century Jersey
Charlie Parker arrived in the top job at the States of Jersey determined to bring in a programme of change. Heather Jameson talks to him about the scale of the task he faced and what he’s achieving.
A positive response to a care home collapse in Cornwall
Cornwall Council’s decision to step in and buy a care home ensured some of the area’s most vulnerable residents avoided being moved out of the county and safeguarded 80 jobs, says Helen Charlesworth May.
A pragmatic approach to care provider failure in Hertfordshire
When Allied Healthcare got into difficulties last year, Hertfordshire CC set up Herts at Home as a council-owned trading company to take on a significant part of the operation’s local business. Steven Lee-Foster outlines the rationale.
Norfolk to invest £29m in care market as homes close
The scale of the challenges facing the adult social care market will be laid bare for senior councillors in Norfolk.
The cost of Brexit is mounting – what can councils do to cope?
Pawda Tjoa says the New Local Government Network’s latest Leadership Index has found the UK’s exit from the EU is ‘already costing local economies and key services dearly’.