NCAS
Transformation can still yield more savings, claims mandarin
Further transformation may still help councils make savings in children’s services, a top Department for Education (DfE) civil servant has claimed.
Director recalls 'huge shock' of child abuse scandal
A council criticised for failings over a historic child sexual exploitation (CSE) ring has warned other authorities not to fall victim to complacency.
Burnham calls for transfer of powers from 'dysfunctional' Westminster
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called for further devolution of powers to local government in a week of political turmoil in Westminster.
Pressure piled on children's secretary over funding
Councils have increased pressure on children and families secretary Nadhim Zahawi to secure more funding from the Government’s spending review.
Social care projects to explore biometrics and exoskeletons
Projects exploring how exoskeletons and biometrics could be used in social care have been announced.
Ofsted chief warns councils of county lines complacency
Some councils are underestimating the extent of the threat posed by county lines operations to children, the head of a watchdog has warned.
Hancock praises over-40s tax
A tax increase for the over-40s could be introduced to bridge the adult social care spending gap after the health secretary praised the idea.
Reeves: ‘Don’t waste care bids’
Coventry City Council’s chief executive Martin Reeves has pleaded for the sector not to waste the work put into the children’s social care innovation programme.
Cash for innovation programme after minister's praise
The children’s social care innovation programme will receive £100m over its life, the National Children and Adult Services Conference has been told.
Lamb roars against 'ridiculous' health and care divide
Lib Dem minister Norman Lamb has called for an end to the ‘ridiculous divide’ between health and social care.
LGA ponders child sexual exploitation response
The Local Government Association (LGA) could develop a peer challenge programme to specifically deal with the challenge of child sexual exploitation (CSE).
Wilshaw renews Birmingham City Council attack as he defends Ofsted
Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has renewed his attack on Birmingham City Council over its role in the Trojan Horse affair.
Morgan threatens more government intervention
Education secretary Nicky Morgan has insisted she will not ‘shy away’ from intervening in poorly performing local authorities.
Pickles to councils: Hector us to give away powers
Eric Pickles has urged local government to ‘hector us’ to give away more powers as he insisted the Better Care Fund (BCF) was the ‘first step’.
LGA: Social workers should be respected like doctors
The Government needs to invest in social work career development so the profession achieves the same respect and reverence as doctors and nurses, council leaders argue today.
ADASS president: Care Act needs enough funding to achieve aspirations
The Care Act needs ‘sufficient funding’ to achieve its aspirations, the president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said today.
Town hall chiefs call for devolved training
Town hall chiefs have renewed calls for the devolution of education, skills and training programmes as new figures show 90,000 youngsters have been jobless for two years or more.
NCAS 14: Adult care deficit ‘will hurt counties
County council leaders have warned that a predicted £4.3bn black hole in adult social care funding will hit them more than other authorities.
Hillingdon in dramatic BCF snub
A rebel council has refused to submit a Better Care Fund (BCF) plan amid widespread dissatisfaction with the process from local government.
Social care heads warned to prepare for Care Act demands
Social care managers should fully understand their new legal duties under the Care Act and prepare for increased demand for advocacy services, delegates to the National Children and Adult Services Conference will be told this week.