Top adult services experts have claimed Internet-based auctions for care services may ‘undermine' the quality of care provided. In a letter published in a national newspaper, the president of the Association of Directors of Adults Social Services (ADASS), Jenny Owen, criticised the use of ‘reverse auctions' for care services which see some agencies place auctions online so providers bid the lowest price to win contracts. According to Ms Owen: ‘While social care is being transformed, the ADASS urges agencies to remember that so-called reverse auctions might undermine the quality of care provided. Buying care is not the same as buying stationery and ADASS rejects the use of these auctions in this way.'
