Charities’ relationship with local and central government
A bit late posting this(!), but am doing so because the programme is going to be available to listen to online for at least a year – and it was really interesting to listen to. In July, BBC Radio 4’s flagship program Face the Facts investigated the relationship between charities and government, and revealed how […]
Children and Families Act 2014: Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans
The following article is taken from the Community Care Law Newsletter issued by the legal chambers 39 Essex Street. For details of how to subscribe visit their website www.39essex.com or email marketing@39essex.com . The newsletter is intended primarily for legal professionals or those involved with community care law; but some articles are accessible to the ‘lay […]
Local government repeats fears over funding of ‘vital’ reforms
Anyone reading reading articles in the online version of the journal Local Government Executive (LGE) will find a consistent but worrying message emerging from representatives of local government i.e. the Local Government Association (LGA) and the the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS): the squeeze on their funding by central government is now […]
The Care Act – Eligibility thresholds and the rationing of care
I have just read a critique of the Care Act , by Rachael Byrne (Executive Director, Care and Support, Home Group) published on the Housing LIN website. It is concise, and clearly expresses the writer’s frustration, anger and fears for the future. Her major fear is that the Care Act has ‘the intention to formally ration access […]
Care Act debated: Carers to be ‘short-changed’ ?
A recent feature article in the Guardian, headlined How will the Care Act support carers? was aimed at social care professionals, but is of potential interest to all carers’. The article began: “The nation’s army of carers may at last be coming out of the shadows, after they were given new rights in law. The Care Act, […]
National Audit Office publishes report “Adult social care in England: overview”
I seem to be suffering from information overload at the minute. I almost ‘missed’ the publication by the National Audit Office (NAO) of a report entitled “Adult social care in England: overview”. Click here to download the report as a PDF. It is described as the first of a series of reports: “This report, the first in a […]
Worth finding online or on ITV Catchup: Secrets from the Asylum.
I missed the documentaries on ITV in a 2-part series entitled Secrets from The Asylum. I am now regretting having done so, after reading reviews such as this in the Radio Times. This describes comedian Al Murray’s investigation into his family history, and his consequential thoughts on the medical and social role of the Victorian asylums, the contemporary treatment of […]
CQC consulting on ‘fundamental standards’ in health and social care regulations
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has announced two consultations ‘on its guidance to help services meet new regulations’. These stem from recent legislative changes, notably the Care Act 2014, and a commitment of the new regime at the CQC to reform and self-improvement, following revelations of previous failings. The CQC’s webpage on the consultation explains: New health and social care regulations will soon […]
DfE publishes new guide for parents on special educational needs and disability
The Department for Education (DfE) has just published a document entitled “Special educational needs and disability. A guide for parents and carers” . This gives details of changes to the SEN system which apply from 1st September 2014, reflecting new legislation and changes to regulations and guidance. It also includes a list of resources and help available […]
A bidding war. Political parties competing for carers’ votes?
An interesting article by Chris Glenn and Charlie Cooper appeared in the Independent on 15th August, and the ‘i’ on 16th August. In the Independent, the article ran under the headline ‘Exclusive: Lib Dems to offer ‘perks’ to Britain’s unpaid carers’. In the ‘i’, the headline had been softened to ‘Britain’s army of unpaid […]