Adult social care
Adult services will reap the benefits of data
A pioneering initiative funded through the apprenticeship levy is aimed at fostering a community of adult social care data analysts, poised to shape best practices, says Sam Villis.
We need fairer funding of local government, and we need it now
Cllr John Merry says that while the chancellor stressed the need for more efficiency in this week's Budget, he would highlight the importance of fixing what is, in Key Cities’ view, councils' broken funding model’.
Oxfordshire’s response to the flooding challenge
Stephen Chandler and Carole Mackay describe Oxfordshire CC’s response to the recent floods, working alongside the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum.
NCASC: Social care 'doing a good job' getting investment
Those working in adult social care are ‘already doing a very good job at getting investment and commitments to reform’, according to government minister Helen Whately.
Dealing with the issues of isolation
Natasha Langleben questions how many councils know how to apply to the Accelerating Reform Fund for Adult Social Care and asks if a portal promoting partnerships would help boost grant applications.
Innovation keeps the wheels on social care
With no prospects of long-term funding solutions, social care teams are having to focus on creative initiatives and partnership working – and the Autumn Statement has added to the pressure. Paul Marinko reports.
Keeping the faith
As local government battles with budgets and rising demand, Heather Jameson spoke to Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan about what he wants to see from the next government.
Putting the choice back into social care
In difficult times we have focused less on choice and control, but this needs to drive social care reforms again, says Ewan King.
Partnerships for prevention: Digital Dorset's health and social care
Penny Syddall looks at how Dorset Council is working in partnership with local health in three main areas to combat low uptake of health tech.
Enough chaos and confusion, now we need solutions
No one got everything right during the pandemic, but the early days showed a failure of central Government to understand local circumstances, social care and getting support to people on the ground, says Heather Jameson.
Unlock some of the held-back adult social care reform funding
While the first survey of adult social care directors since the pandemic contains some good news, it also shows a slow deterioration into an increasingly unsustainable situation, says Beverley Tarka.
Is a national care service what we can expect from the next Labour Government?
There are huge implications for local government in a new report on adult social care, says Simon Bottery.
LG Challenge 4: A focus on prevention in Stockton
Round four of the Local Government Challenge hosted by Stockton-on-Tees BC put the focus on early intervention and prevention in adult social care. Michael Balls reports.
It’s never just business
A politician’s dream is a robust business case that supports their ideological aspirations, says Blair Mcpherson.
Social care fiasco needs a culture change as well as funds
Delayed discharges are just a fraction of the social care story – albeit an exorbitant one – there is a failure of the health and social care system that needs a radical overhaul, says Heather Jameson.
Keeping Kent connected and closing the digital skills gap
Emily Paulding discusses how a technological and social innovation research project helped to drive digital inclusion at Kent CC for elderly and vulnerable residents.
Money alone is not enough to solve bed blocking
'Government attempts to resolve the thorny issue of bed blocking may have been born out of good intentions, but thus far it seems the new and substantial £250m cash injection has delivered very little', says Heather Jameson.
The next showrunners
Jonathan Werran says that, whatever and whoever is running the show after next year’s General Election, attention and protection should be afforded to local government.
Social care must be PM’s priority
There is an indisputable moral and economic case for the Government to deliver social care and workforce reform this year, says Christina McAnea.
Worcestershire faces £13m budget gap
The cost of social care is the main driver of the council’s forecast overspend for 2022-23.