LGA warns of “make or break year” for adult social care as councils face £5.8bn funding black hole
A thought-provoking, and for many extremely worrying article appeared in the Local Government Executive Update newsletter published on 2nd July 2014. It appeared under the headline LGA warns of “make or break year” for adult social care as councils face £5.8bn funding black hole.
LGO publishes complaints statistics on all English adult social care providers for first time
The Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) has just published an analysis of adult social care complaints considered in 2013. Note that the report focuses on complaints about services provided for adults who need extra support. This includes older people, people with learning disabilities, people with a physical disability, people with a sensory impairment, people with mental ill health, and carers. The report […]
CQC continues to reinvent itself…
The flow of news updates from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) continues. The CQC was widely criticised following recent failures in the regulation and inspection of social care provision. The Winterbourne View inquiry highlighted,for example, the CQC’s failure to address the concerns of staff who attempted to whistle-blow. In the face of such criticism, the CQC has […]
Autism: The stranger in the Mirror
Out thanks to a Rescare member for bringing the following to our attention. BBC Radio 4, 8 pm , 27th June 2014 The Stranger in the Mirror What is autism, and what causes it? Nobody knows, but there have been many theories, from the plausible to the offensive to the downright wacky. Autism remains a […]
Government responds to Lords Committee Report on Mental Capacity Act
The Government has now (June 10th) responded to the House of Lords Select Committee’s post-legislative scrutiny report, whose most damning conclusions were that the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) has “suffered from a lack of awareness and a lack of understanding“ and “is not working”. The Response Document, to which the Government has assigned the title Valuing every voice, respecting every right: Making the […]
Rescare goes ‘mobile’
A mobile version of the Rescare website has now gone live. This is good news for anyone with an ‘Android powered’ mobile or iPhone. Anyone accessing www.rescare.org.uk from their phone will now see a customized and easily navigable version of our website. We hope you like it; if you do, spread the word.
Court Fees and Remissions: new forms and guidance
The following information received from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) may be of interest to anyone having dealings with the judicial system, the courts and especially the Court of Protection. Fee remissions may be available to someone with a learning disability making an application to the court, or when someone applies on their behalf, e.g. for deputyship. […]
Call for Evidence: 5th Independent Review of Work Capability Assessment
The following email notification was sent to Rescare via The Department for Work and Pensions from the WCA Independent Review Team. The implementation of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) has been subject to regular reviews. The 5th such review is now underway, led by Dr Paul Litchfield. (You may find the review process being referred to […]
DfE issues new Code of Practice for special educational needs and disabilities
The Department for Education (DfE) has published (June 2014) a new Code of Practice for organisations working with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Its introduction is a consequence of the passing of Children and Families Act 2014. It relates to Part 3 of the Act, and applies to children and […]
Dept of Health launches consultation on Care Act 2014 (Regulations & Guidance)
The Care Bill has now been enacted and become the Care Act 2014. This is a major and wide ranging piece of legislation. Its impact will only be fully felt when its principles are applied via amendments to the guidance and regulations applying to health and care provision. The Department of Health as the lead department […]