Care homes
Deprivation of Liberty backlog 'may never be eradicated'
A report has called for councils to get more resources to tackle the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) backlog.
Growing pressures see care providers close services
A new report has found 43% of care providers closed services or handed back contracts last year in response to growing financial and workforce pressures.
Child abuse inquiry chair criticises Government response
The chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has branded ministers’ response to her recommendations has been ‘weak’.
Technology can deliver a long-term solution to the discharge problem
Utilising technology is a key way to reduce delayed discharge and support person-centred care, says Julie Tyas.
The shifting landscape of adult social care
Local Partnerships can help local authorities in a number of ways with care for working age and older adults, including business case support at project start, and by sourcing support at key points in the commissioning and procurement cycle.
Care homes 'at risk of closure'
Care homes in Scotland have warned they are at risk of closure as they rejected a 6% fee increase from councils.
Safeguarding overhaul called for after child abuse
Council leaders have called for more powers to hold local partners to account after a review into the abuse of children with disabilities.
Directors' warning over delayed DoLS reforms
Care directors have warned that delayed reforms mean some hospital patients will continue to be rushed off wards into care homes they may not need.
Hancock comes under fresh fire
General secretary of trade union Unison Christina McAnea has accused former health and care secretary Matt Hancock of failing to protect care homes from coronavirus.
Time for a social care system refresh
Social care is beset by a perfect storm of problems. What needs to change, and are there any chinks of light on the horizon? Paul Marinko reports from a round table discussion organised by The MJ and the National Audit Office.
Government care home plan could create more problems, councils fear
Councils fear the Government’s plans to buy up care home places to help with hospital discharges could create more problems than it solves.
Investing now in children's social care to cut costs down the line
Oldham MBC’s £14.7m extra investment in transforming children’s social care includes an emphasis on recruiting and keeping council-employed social workers and helping the most vulnerable children to stay close to home, says Harry Catherall.
Grabbing the baton for children
Josh MacAlister says he is still expecting the Government to respond to his independent report on children’s social care by the end of the year.
PM must work fast to repair social care
Caroline Abrahams looks at the social care challenges facing the new Prime Minister, including the need to make quick decisions on the cap on care costs and how to fund it.
The clock is ticking on levelling up
There is no shortage of data to provide evidence of regional inequalities, just a shortage of time to show levelling up is more than just an election slogan and can save the skin of Boris Johnson, says Michael Burton.
COVID funding cut ‘dangerous’
The Government has been urged to reinstate the COVID infection control fund (ICF) by groups representing care providers and staff.
Discharging patients into care homes was 'unlawful,' High Court rules
The High Court today ruled the Government’s policy of discharging patients from hospitals to care homes at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was unlawful.
Care homes could face 'widespread closures' under reforms, counties warn
Care homes are at risk of closure as the Government has ‘seriously underestimated’ the cost of its social care reforms, county councils have warned today.
Counting the cost of care in Wiltshire
Wiltshire CC has been considering the potential ‘eye-watering’ cost of implementing the Government’s reforms to adult social care, says Cllr Richard Clewer. It is imperative the council is fully funded to achieve the changes, he adds.
We need action, not a taskforce
The Levelling Up White Paper announced a taskforce into the lack of housing with care for the retired. Michael Burton argues this poorly-provided sector is another example of the dearth of policy for reducing long-term pressures on the NHS and care.