Adult social care
The success of a people first approach
Exceptional people management is the most effective way to turn round a failing organisation or turn a coasting organisation into a world class one, says Blair Mcpherson.
Driving towards great social care
Jeremy Cooper says the list of transformational change factors facing directors of adult social services may seem overwhelming, but councils have done a fantastic job at keeping focused on how to deliver great care.
Fresh LGA call after 'bed blocking' doubles
The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for ‘urgent action’ to support social care after new figures revealed hospital ‘bed blockers’ now outnumber COVID-19 patients.
Care workforce reform should recognise the role of housing associations
Housing associations and local authorities must both be heard in the discussions shaping the future of the care workforce, says Richard Hill.
How digital technology transformed care in Enfield
Enfield is using data to understand people’s lives like never before and helping to transform and evolve adult social care practice to deliver the best outcomes. Kerry Gumble explains.
Breaking down plans to join up the health and care workforce
Failure to address widespread workforce problems could hinder government’s integration agenda, says Lucinda Allen.
Are councils boarding the ICS bus?
Integrated care systems are the cornerstone of the Government’s health and care reforms, but are they empowering councils or leaving them behind? Martin Ford and Ann McGauran report.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils should consider pressures index similar to NHS
Local government should look at introducing a pressures index similar to the NHS to measure the risks to the critical services it provides, council chiefs have suggested.
Care chief asks if hospitality staff could help tackle social care crisis
A former president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has asked if the COVID-hit hospitality sector could release staff to tackle the crisis in social care.
Stop and think again – does the Health and Social Care Bill address the issues?
Chris J Perry looks at whether the Government should place the cash it intends putting into Health and Social Care into pensions instead, while undertaking widespread organisational changes.
The problems with the finance settlement
Ian Miller examines the risks and uncertainties for districts in the provisional settlement, and lists the uncomfortable topics he says ‘cannot be avoided for much longer’.
Welcome words on business rates should be backed up in settlement
The secretary of state now has a real opportunity to improve matters by introducing a business rates ‘re-set’ as part of the provisional settlement, says Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
Government must act now to meet urgent housing-with-care needs
The Government’s pay and career development proposals for care staff do not go far enough, and the UK lags behind other countries on access to housing-with-care, says Kris Peach.
Time to turn down levelling up?
The Government’s decisions to scrap the Leeds leg of HS2 and amend the social care cap have both been accused of contradicting the spirit of levelling up. Michael Burton wonders whether the phrase is becoming an albatross for ministers.
Social care reforms ring alarm bells for council finances
Michael Burton says the Government's decision to rush through last-minute changes watering down the cap on social care costs for poorer householders rather than letting them be properly debated will cause long term damage politically and financially.
Councils promised tax overhaul
Reform of council tax, including devolved powers for local authorities, are among the plans in a co-operation agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru in Wales.
Many of the poorest pensioners will face 'catastrophic' care costs
Many of the poorest pensioners will pay the same for their care as richer people after the Government released more details of the new cap on home and care costs.
Will funding land next month to help levelling up?
Councils will await with interest December’s annual financial settlement to see where funding lands at the local level, says Paul O'Brien. Will this signify the beginning of significant attempts at levelling up, he asks.
Authorities under pressure
Fears about councils’ financial sustainability remain in the wake of the Spending Review, including concerns about the costs of reform to adult social care. Ann McGauran reports.
Much more to do to tackle the endemic image problem with care work
Kris Peach of Housing 21 outlines how the sector needs to address care worker shortages and what more needs to be done to tackle the image problems surrounding careers in care.
