Children and adult services are ‘directly relevant' to the place-shaping agenda, according to Local Government Association chief executive, Paul Coen. He told delegates at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Bournemouth it was also important to, seize and welcome Local Area Agreements, and back devolution. ‘I cannot think of two service areas that are more directly relevant to the place-shaping agenda' he said. Anne Williams, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said they were at the centre of ‘modernising public services'. ‘We have done huge things to be proud of in local government and adult social care, including individual budgets and direct payments.' Secretary of state for children, schools and families, Ed Balls, also praised the work undertaken by local government, in particular, within children's services. He revealed to delegates it was action at the local level which had led to the creation of the new department for children, schools and families. He described how, by creating the new department, ministers were able to bring all policies and standards affecting these areas under one roof. But, despite positive comments regarding achievements made by children and adult services departments, the pressure of inadequate funding for social care hung over the conference. Following the ‘disappointing' CSR settlement, shadow secretary of state for health, Andrew Lansley, told delegates he believed ‘a generation' was at risk of losing everything, due to social care funding pressures. And Ms Williams confirmed there was a ‘gulf' between society's expectations and what council social care services could deliver.
