Adult social care
We need to pause the cheering on social care
The Government’s social care announcement deserves only two hurrahs, says Paul Najsarek. The knock on effect can only be substantially increased costs for local government, he adds.
Unintended consequences of tax hikes
Heather Jameson says: 'Something that may appear straightforward – raising taxes to pay for care and capping the cost for the consumer – is fraught with unintended consequences.'
Tackling the social care workforce crisis
When it comes to social care Solace believes we need a more strategic and sustainably funded approach to talent development specifically, and workforce, more generally, says Graeme McDonald.
Not even a bronze!
Social care reforms are well short of the gold standard desired, expected and needed, says co-chair of the Future Social Care Coalition Phil Hope.
Care services weathering summer surge
Directors of adult care services have faced a spike in demand over the summer months, according to new figures published today.
Care providers warn of ‘winter meltdown’
A body representing independent care providers has warned the sector faces collapse this winter due to the staffing crisis.
Sharing the tech journey
Councils across south London are collaborating through the Internet of Things project to test ways technology can bring practical benefits to residents and to businesses. Cllr Sunita Gordon and Cllr Stephanie Archer explain.
Time for an Olympic Gold Social Care System
Co-chair of Future Social Care Coalition Phil Hope presents five tests ‘most would agree need to be passed to some degree’ if any proposal the Government brings forward for the social care system is to be judged a success.
It’s easy as ABCD
Leeds City Council’s ABCD model is focused on prevention and early intervention and is an asset-based approach aimed at empowering communities and individuals. Carmel Langstaff examines the results of an evaluation into whether it works.
A vital support in rural Lincolnshire
A falls service in Lincolnshire is proving to be a game changing approach that could be used across the country, says Cllr Patricia Bradwell.
It’s only a win if everyone succeeds
For SIGOMA members – unitary and metropolitan councils across England – funding service fairly is the key, says Sir Stephen Houghton.
Is Boris in a jam on devo?
Boris Johnson’s levelling up speech was designed to kick-start devolution, quash the critics and calm the blue wall. Heather Jameson asks, did it succeed?
Unlocking care in prisons
The needs of elderly men in the prison population need to be addressed urgently, says government and public sector expert at PA Consulting Amanda Kelly. 'We should question who we are imprisoning and whether there is an alternative', she adds.
Budgeting in volatile times
As we transition to a post-COVID world, councils are going to have to ‘learn quickly in real time’ how to handle levels of demand and price volatility never seen before in the sector, says Gary Fielding.
Care for life
Claims the Government put a protective shield around care homes were ‘complete nonsense,’ according to Dominic Cummings. Martin Green says the focus being on the NHS ‘wreaked havoc, destruction and sadly many avoidable deaths’.
Reflection on the year gone for iESE and the challenges ahead
Chief executive of iESE Dr Andrew Larner looks back on an unusual year, and highlights the creation of the next generation of care records management as a significant task for the year ahead.
Playing it long
A Localis policy webinar on long-term local government finances indicated strategic pragmatism will be order of the day for the sector until the mid-2020s, writes Jonathan Werran.
Central Government must get its house in order
As local authorities battle with COVID and a clutch of other crises – all with no long-term funding clarity – Government is distracted with a mixture of the big picture and the trivial, says Heather Jameson.
Sir Andrew Dilnot is upbeat on reform to social care
Author of the landmark 2011 review into social care funding Sir Andrew Dilnot is upbeat about the chances of reform to the system - saying he is ‘hopeful, and I don’t think I’m being Pollyanna-ish’.
Where has the care gone?
Social care is in an even more precarious position that ever. But the Queen’s Speech lacked the ‘clear plan’ promised by the Prime Minister nearly two years ago. Ann McGauran reports.
