Judge fears for elderly after former ballerina denied night care

Jul 11 2011 12:00AM

A judge said she was troubled by the implications of a supreme court decision against a former ballerina who argued that her council should provide a night-time carer to help her use a commode at her London flat rather than merely supply herwith incontinence pads. Campaigning charity Age UK described the ruling as "shameful" and suggested that it could lead to the infirm being forced to "sleep in their own urine."
“Dignity must have a place in care decisions”, writes Stephen Lowe. “If, as the Elaine McDonald ruling implies, councils are required only to provide services to keep people 'safe', expect the bare minimum needed to warehouse people in their homes.”

Dilnot Commission Report Published

Jul 11 2011 12:00AM

The Commission on Funding of Care and Support has presented its findings to the Government in its report Fairer Care Funding, published on 4th July 2011. The letter to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Health sent with the report is available for you to read below.

The King’s Fund Respond to The Dilnot Commission

Jul 11 2011 12:00AM

Responding to the Dilnot Commission report, Senior Fellow at The King's Fund, Richard Humphries, said:
‘In establishing the Dilnot Commission, ministers challenged it to produce a blueprint for a care system that is fair, affordable and sustainable. Today’s report delivers on that challenge and offers a credible and costed way forward. The government must now move quickly to endorse the framework for reform it sets out; outline a clear timetable for change; and honour its commitment to bring forward legislation in 2012”

Excellence in adult social care – next steps in consultation

Jul 11 2011 12:00AM

CQC has launched its consultation on a new excellence award for adult social care services in England. The new voluntary award, due to launch in April 2012, will be delivered by third party organisations under license to CQC.
The consultation, which runs until 1 August 2011, covers the following questions:
• Do you agree with SCIE’s definition of excellence?
• What sort of evidence should be gathered to demonstrate excellence?
• Should the scheme offer a pre-screening process for providers?
• How long should the award last?
• Under what circumstances would a provider lose the award?

Most councils meet personal budgets target but variations persis

Jun 28 2011 12:00AM

Figures released last week show almost two-thirds of councils met the 30% target set by the Labour government, but one in seven had less than 20% of users and carers on personal budgets.
“Progress is varied and it's time for all councils to step up to the plate if we are to achieve the 100 per cent target by April 2013.” (Peter Hay, Adass President).

Care home briefing 96 the operation of the deprivation of liberty safeguards in england 2009-10

Jun 28 2011 12:00AM

The Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) came into force on 1 April 2009. The Safeguards enable hospitals and care homes to obtain a power so that they can lawfully deprive service users of their liberty. This applies when service users lack capacity to consent. The safeguards aim to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Yorkshire and the Humber Joint Improvement Partnership Safeguarding vulnerable adults through better commissioning

Jun 28 2011 12:00AM

The Developing Intelligent Commissioning Programme is designed to develop the commissioning capability and capacity within Yorkshire and the Humber region to enable authorities to deliver the transforming adult social care agenda. The programme is funded by Yorkshire and the Humber Joint Improvement Partnership, working in collaboration with ADASS Yorkshire and Humberside. The programme is being delivered by the Institute of Public Care, Oxford Brookes University (IPC). This paper is a part of a series papers produced for commissioners and other senior partners in Adult Social Care

Good practice guidance on accessing the Court of Protection

Jun 28 2011 12:00AM

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) have produced this guide to support access to the Court of Protection for people who may need this safeguard.

Giving White Paper

Jun 6 2011 12:00AM

New commitments include:
- A £10million Social Action Fund to support the most promising ideas for growing giving in priority areas in England and boosting levels of engagement over the next two years
- Challenge Prizes, of up to £100,000 for the best solutions to volunteer challenges
- A £30 million fund to improve the effectiveness of infrastructure organisations that support front line organisations
- £1 million to support Youthnet which runs the volunteering website www.do-it.org.uk and which will share its data more freely with organisations. Facebook have said that they will make this data accessible through them
- £700,000 to support Philanthropy UK connecting wealthy people with charities that need their support
- £400,000 support from Government and NESTA to trial ‘Spice’ in England which gives volunteers ‘thank yous’ like vouchers or discounts with local businesses when they do good things for the community
- Establishing a new honours committee to ensure people are recognised and celebrated for exceptional and sustained philanthropy
- Trial charity promotions on the public service website Directgov that gets around 4.5 million visits per week

Review of registration process

Jun 6 2011 12:00AM

CQC is continuing to receive an average of 155 applications per day from adult social care, independent healthcare and NHS providers wishing to vary their registration. These include applications for new registered managers, providers wishing to add or remove locations and providers wishing to vary a condition of their registration.

Cross-party commission urges government to "fill in the blanks" on Big Society

Jun 6 2011 12:00AM

A year on from the Prime Minister’s launch of the Big Society programme an independent, cross party Commission are calling on Government to “fill in the blanks” on Big Society. Powerful people, responsible society, the Commission’s final report, embraces the Big Society as an agenda that “should transcend party politics” but criticises Government for failing to articulate a clear plan on Big Society, as research conducted by the Commission finds that only 13% of the public believe the Government has a clear plan for Big Society.

Prevention in adult safeguarding

Jun 6 2011 12:00AM

This report shares findings from research, policy and practice on prevention in adult safeguarding and presents a wide range of approaches that can help prevent abuse.

Better health and social care outcomes for people with autism

Jun 6 2011 12:00AM

The Autism skills and knowledge list has been developed jointly by Skills for Care, Skills for Health and the National Autistic Society to help enhance awareness of autism and improve skills among workers in generic health and social care services. This work is part of a wider range of on-line training resources funded by the Department of Health to increase awareness and understanding of autism across all public services.

Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives: Evaluating progress

Apr 26 2011 12:00AM

‘Fulfilling and rewarding lives: Evaluating Progress’ is a new Department of Health self- assessment resource which will be available online. It is to be used locally and clearly sets out what local authorities need to achieve to implement the Adult Autism Strategy and allows adults with autism, their families, carers and representative groups to see what progress is being made in their local area and how this compares across the country.'

Law Commission - adult social care law reform

Apr 26 2011 12:00AM

The Law Commission has published an analysis of responses to the 57 provisional proposals put forward in their consultation paper. They propose a single, clear and modern statute to replace the current complex legal framework (38 separate Acts) governing how individuals’ needs are assessed, who is eligible to receive help and what services are provided, most of which are still delivered under an Act of 1948.

Transparency in outcomes: a framework for quality in adult social care - DH response to consultation

Apr 26 2011 12:00AM

The consultation on the government’s proposals for a new approach to quality and outcomes in adult social care ran from 16 November 2010 to 9 February 2011. The consultation response sets out the how the views expressed have shaped the next steps for social care.
Last week the DH also published the first national Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, which will apply to the year 2011/12. This is an important part of the Government's commitment to rebalancing the relationship with local government, and focusing on what matters most to people.

Standards of Care

Apr 26 2011 12:00AM

CQC has published two important guides for people who receive care in a care home or in their own home.

Practical approaches to improving productivity through personalisation in adult social care

Feb 8 2011 12:00AM

The Putting People First consortium has published a guide called Practical approaches to improving productivity through personalisation in adult social care. This paper suggests that self-directed support should be seen as a core part of the wider transformation process that aims to promote independence, extend choice, and offer cost effective solutions for people needing ongoing support.

Valuing People Now - Updated

Feb 8 2011 12:00AM

A fairer charging guidance flyer has been added for those who receive social services at home.

No Health Without Mental Health: A cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages - A call to action

Feb 4 2011 12:00AM

Mental health problems affect one in four people at some time. As well as being a major cause of distress for individuals and their families, they cost society an estimated £105 billion every year through lost productivity and avoidable costs for the criminal justice system ,as well as the costs of care and support. The signatories to this statement recognise there is an urgent need for co-ordinated action and pledge to work together to deliver the shared objectives in the government’s mental health outcomes strategy, No Health Without Mental Health.

Modernising Commissioning Green Paper published

Jan 4 2011 12:00AM

Modernising Commissioning Green Paper which asks for views on how the Government can create a level playing field for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises that want to bid for public service contracts. The VODG will be responding to this Green Paper.

Poorest areas hit hardest by Finance Settlement

Jan 4 2011 12:00AM

Government claims that the local government finance settlement is ‘progressive’ and ‘fair’ have been forcefully disputed.
Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles announced average cuts of 4.4% to the formula grant for councils in England for 2011/12 and 2012/13 on December 13. No authority would experience a reduction of more than 8.9% next year and funding had been weighted to areas that are deprived and most reliant on central government grants, he said.
But an analysis of the settlement by the New Local Government Network, setting the cuts against multiple indexes of deprivation, painted a different picture.
“When the cuts in local government funding are set against the Multiple Indices of Deprivation, NLGN’s analysis shows that poorer areas will shoulder a disproportionate percentage cut. This will pose significant challenges for areas already facing the greatest social and economic difficulties in their communities. Councils will have to take radical steps to transform the way they deliver services in the years ahead to meet this unprecedented challenge.”

LGA responds to provisional local government finance settlement

Jan 4 2011 12:00AM

Local government has been handed one of the toughest settlements across the public sector. Although formula grant (excluding police grant) is being cut by 12.1 per cent, cost pressures in areas such as adult social care, children’s protection, waste management, and flood defence will continue to mount

Adults' personal social services: revenue grants and capital grant allocations for 2011-12 and 2012-13

Jan 4 2011 12:00AM

This letter is issued to local authorities to confirm both their adults’ Personal Social Services (PSS) specific revenue and capital grant funding for the period 2011-13. Details of individual funding stream allocation formulae (where these are available), and a brief description of each area, appear in the relevant annexes. This letter should be read in conjunction with David Behan’s letter of 20 October 2010, which set out the different parts of the Spending Review settlement for social care.

Valuing People Now: Summary Report March 2009 - September 2010 Good Practice Examples

Dec 10 2010 12:00AM

This is a report about making Valuing People Now happen for everyone with learning disabilities and for their family carers.
It is a summary of what the Learning Disability Partnership Board said about what they did from April 2009 to April 2010. It also says what has happened since then up to September 2010. Valuing People Now is the name of the big plan the Government made. It talks about what needs to be done to make the lives of people with learning disabilities better. Partnership Board - It is a group of people from your local area. They meet to decide what needs to happen to make the lives of people with learning disabilities better by making the things in the Valuing People Now plan happen.

The Life Opportunities of Disabled People Qualitative research with people with learning, memory and neuro-diversity impairments

Dec 10 2010 12:00AM

This report presents an overview of the barriers to and enablers of participation in different life areas experienced by people who could not take part in a Life Opportunities Survey (LOS) interview. The intention of this qualitative research was to make the Life Opportunities Survey project as inclusive and accessible as possible to ensure the experiences of people with different impairments would not be excluded from the overall LOS results1. The research was conducted by Ipsos MORI for the Office for National Statistics and the Office for Disability Issues.

Big Society, cuts and consequences: a thinkpiece

Dec 8 2010 12:00AM

This thinkpiece is addressed to decision makers and opinion formers in public policy and in the third sector. It presents a personal perspective draws on available evidence, extensive debate around the value of the Big Society and personal insights gained through consultancy practice. The paper seeks to frame this debate in terms of the unintended or inadequately foreseen consequences of public expenditure cuts on the aspirations attached to the Big Society.

A Vision for Adult Social Care:Capable Communities and Active Citizens

Dec 7 2010 12:00AM

Social Care is an essential human need, something most of us will need at some point in our lives, whether for ourselves or those close to us. How well we look after each other says a great deal about the strength and character of our society.
The Coalition Government recognises this and the Spending Review settlement gives local authorities the resources they need to maintain vital services and meet growing demands. Funding is, however, only one part of the answer. People’s expectations are changing, and neither those who provide the services nor those who receive them expect to trade autonomy for dependency.
This challenge is reflected across the policy spectrum. The answer is to strengthen communities, while changing the role and our relationship with the state. It is a new vision for government which does not simply look to the state for answers to the issues we face, but outwards to communities. This is why we talk about building the ‘Big Society’. This approach underpins our vision for social care – a vision grounded in the Coalition Government’s values.

Think Local, Act Personal Next Steps for Transforming Adult Social Care

Dec 7 2010 12:00AM

This is a proposed sector-wide partnership agreement to moving forward with personalisation and community-based support.

The Government’s vision for adult social care and its White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS, maintain the drive towards the personalisation of public services in health, social care and beyond. The key delivery partners across the sector share this ambition, alongside those who use social care support, their families and carers, and the paid staff vital to delivering it. This Partnership Agreement represents a joint commitment to go forward together.

A vision for adult social care: Capable communities and active citizens

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

This week the Care Services Minister Paul Burstow launched "A vision for adult social care: Capable communities and active citizens ". The Vision sets out how the Government wishes to see services delivered for people; a new direction for adult social care, putting personalised services and outcomes centre stage. VODG members should familiarise themselves with this document and the associated papers.

Ordinary residence

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

DH guidance on the identification of the ordinary residence of people in need of community care services, England.

Think Local, Act Personal

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

The health and adult social care sector have launched a proposed agreement for the next steps with transforming adult social care. Think Local, Act Personal sets out how councils, health bodies, providers and other community organisations will need to work more closely so individuals, their families and carers have greater choice and control over their care and support.
Think Local, Act Personal, published yesterday, has been signed by 21 bodies including the Department of Health, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, the NHS Confederation and the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group. This proposed "partnership agreement" charts a course for adult care in England beyond the end of the Putting People First Programme in April 2011.

National Protocol on Ordinary Residence

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

This Protocol has been produced by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS). It comes into effect from April 2011. It has been developed as a best practice model for collaborative working between Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSR) in England.

Quarter of a million older people set to lose care

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

Figures published by Age UK show that a 7% real terms cut to older people's social care funding next year would mean that 250,000 older people would lose access to care funded by councils.

Government to publish green paper on public service commissioning

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

The paper, to be published shortly, will propose ways to make it easier for charities and voluntary sector groups to bid to deliver public services. An online public consultation on the proposals will be completed by the end of the year.

Guidance on direct payments for community care, services for carers and children's services

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

The aim of this guidance is to assist local councils in making direct payments. Together with the Annexes, it also provides guidance on how local councils might manage and administer direct payments.

Fairer contributions guidance 2010: calculating an individual's contribution to their personal budget

Nov 22 2010 12:00AM

This document provides guidance for councils in England to use when determining what contribution, if any, a person receiving a personal budget should make towards it.

The Spending Review

Nov 1 2010 12:00AM

This page gives you quick and easy access to all the latest information from across central government on the Spending Review 2010. The Spending Review sets out the spending plans for each government department for the four years from 2011-12. We will update the page regularly as information becomes available.

Spending review analysis – follow the money and it isn't there

Nov 1 2010 12:00AM

Welfare reform has really hit the headlines in the last few weeks, but the debate has been dominated by one or two ‘big’ issues - the taxing of child benefit for higher-earners being the biggest, which of course in no way reflects on the income of the journalists and broadcasters covering the story. But it was also simple – there were no subtle nuances or consequences other than a direct loss of income for one sector of society. That has now changed with the comprehensive spending review.

Spending Review and social care

Nov 1 2010 12:00AM

Initial relief at an additional £2bn for social care by 2014–15 has evaporated in the wider context of 26% cuts in local government revenue grants and changes to benefits which will affect working-age disabled adults.

The Spending Review Settlement: Letter to directors of adult social services

Nov 1 2010 12:00AM

This is a letter from David Behan, Director General, Social Care, Local Government and Care Partnerships at the Department of Health, to directors of adult social services to lay out the implications of the Spending Review settlement for social care

Care Quality Commission: Consultation on equality and human rights guidance

Aug 20 2010 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on guidance created for inspectors and assessors, to help to ensure scrutiny of human rights issues within the Commission's essential standards of quality and care. Responses are requested from people who use services, providers, commissioners and others.

CQC - Putting People First

Aug 20 2010 12:00AM

CQC have produced a policy briefing for their staff about Putting People First as part of their Commissioner assessment guidance for 2009-10 (previously known as annual performance assessment).
The briefing includes an appendix setting out the milestones and local change examples.

National Skills Academy for Social Care calls for examples of good commissioning practice

Aug 20 2010 12:00AM

The Skills Academy is supporting the development of good commissioning in adult social care and are producing a series of web-based resources for a range of audiences to help do this. One of these resources will be examples of good practice in involving User and Care led organisations (ULOs). This means, using ULOs to provide information and evidence about what people who use services and their carers want and need locally, as well as commissioning ULOs themselves to deliver services.
They are keen to identify examples of how commissioning organisations have worked with people who use services and their carers, particularly about:
? How views and information about needs have been sought and how the responses have influenced commissioning.
? Examples of user-led organisations being commissioned to deliver services.
? What makes for a successful tender from a user-led organisation.

Carers Strategy Demonstrator Sites Project Funding Allocations 2010-11

Aug 11 2010 12:00AM

This circular provides information on the administration of the 2010-11 allocation for local authorities taking part in the Carers Strategy Demonstrator Sites project.

Implementing 'Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives': Consultation for statutory guidance for local authorities and NHS organisations to support implementation of the autism strategy

Aug 3 2010 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on the draft guidance to health and social care services. The guidance has been drafted to support the implementation of the autism strategy 'Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives'.

Care Quality Commission: First annual report

Aug 3 2010 12:00AM

This publication presents the annual report for the Care Quality Commission in 2009-10. It also covers key achievements in the organisation during the year.

Early Experiences of Implementing Personal Health Budgets

Aug 3 2010 12:00AM

The is an interim independent evaluation report on the personal health budgets pilot programme. It is based on interviews with project leads and highlights some of the challenges the pilot sites face and how they are beginning to overcome these.

Opportunity to help improve care services for adults

Aug 3 2010 12:00AM

A consultation to help improve care services and healthcare outcomes for adults with autism in England was launched today by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow.

Health White Paper poses questions for social care sector

Jul 26 2010 12:00AM

Although there are many positives for social workers in the Health White Paper, there remain many questions about power and accountability says Richard Humphries of the King's Fund.

State of the Adult Social Care Workforce

Jul 26 2010 12:00AM

Skills for Care has launched the second State of Adut Social Care Workforce report which found that the size of the adult social care sector continues to increase as the estimated number of paid jobs across the sector rose to 1.71 million carried out by 1.6 million paid staff

Department of Health: Giving power to local people

Jul 26 2010 12:00AM

How local NHS, public health, and care services will be shaped

Local people and professionals will have much more say in shaping healthcare in their areas - and NHS, social care and public health services will work closer together.

Communities are ready for the Big Society

Jul 26 2010 12:00AM

Only a minority of people feel that they can influence local decisions or have engaged in some form of civic participation in the last year, according to survey findings published today.

The Big Society launched by the Prime Minister on Monday aims to address this and give more power and responsibility to communities. The plans will support local areas so they can take an active part in tackling local problems and contributing to decisions that affect them.

The survey asked 16,000 people for their views on civic engagement, volunteering, community cohesion and discrimination. The results, covering the year 2009-10, show that a large majority of people thought their community was cohesive, agreeing that their local area was a place where people from different backgrounds got on well together.

First step to sustainable care and support system

Jul 26 2010 12:00AM

The first step towards creating a sustainable care and support system for all adults that puts individuals and their families at its heart, was unveiled today by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

In setting out to Parliament the terms of reference for the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, Andrew Lansley made clear that it will consider a range of funding ideas including both voluntary insurance and partnership schemes. The Commission will be chaired by Andrew Dilnot with two further commissioners, Lord Norman Warner and Dame Jo Williams and it and will report within a year.

The Commission will build on the extensive body of work that has already been done in this area and provide advice on how to implement the best option.

Commissioning for Personalization: from the fringes to the mainstream (2010)

Jul 9 2010 12:00AM

This report takes stock of personalisation in practice to develop a complex picture of how public services are changing. It draws on interviews with politicians, civil servants, local authority managers, frontline staff, service users, trade union representatives, academics, consultants and staff from private and third sector providers.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has launched a new section in its website focusing on personalisation

Jul 9 2010 12:00AM

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has launched a new section in its website focusing on personalisation

Reforming Welfare: Speech by Iain Duncan Smith

Jul 5 2010 12:00AM

This is a transcript of the speech by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith on 30 June 2010. He talks about the government's reforms to the welfare system.

Incapacity Benefits: The reassessment process

Jul 5 2010 12:00AM

From October 2010 Jobcentre Plus will start reassessing the claims of people who are receiving incapacity benefit, income support paid on the grounds of disability and severe disablement allowance to see if they are fit for work. This gives more information

Local Authority Circular: The Mental Capacity Act

Jul 5 2010 12:00AM

This circular covers 2010-11 resources for the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act.

Commission calls on businesses to close the gap

Jun 30 2010 12:00AM

On the 40th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has called on organisations to do more to close the pay gap between male and female employees

Government sets out further detail on local government savings

Jun 21 2010 12:00AM

The Government has today published details of the £1.166bn Local Government contribution to the £6.2bn cross government savings in 2010/11. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has confirmed that no local authority will face reductions in their revenue grant of more than 2 per cent.

Local Government grant cuts and removal of ringfences confirmed

Jun 21 2010 12:00AM

Ringfences removed from revenue grants including Youth Opportunity Fund and Learning Disability Campus Closure Programme. Ringfences removed from capital grants including Common Assessment Frmaework and Capital Investment for Transformation in Adult Social Care Grant.

Ministers to be lobbied on personalisation development

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

Adult social care leaders in England are to lobby ministers on the next phase of the personalisation agenda.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association are keen to retain impetus when the three-year transformation programme ends next year and are developing ideas for what should follow.

Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

This publication presents data on the use of deprivation of liberty safeguards under the Mental Capacity Act. It is the first time this quarterly data has been published.

New policies and procedures for local authorities from In Control

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

Updated documenst are available on developing policies and procedures around implenting Self-Directed Support. Also now available on the In Control website are the audio recordings and presentations from the Big Event held on 16th March 2010. Topics include Jeff Jerome's talk on Putting People First one year on, and further presentations on policy change, social reform and personal budgets.

Managing spend on overheads

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

ACEVO has launched a new business tool, Capacity Manager, to help third sector bodies manage their spending on overheads more efficiently. The online tool can be used to examine all the main types of overhead costs and can help judge the effectiveness of spending in different areas of business.

Care Quality Commission: Consultation on revised enforcement

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on the commission's enforcement policy

Letter from Tim Loughton to Chief Executives, Directors of Children's Services and Lead Members for Children's Services

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

This letter from Children's Minister Tim Loughton describes a change to the statutory guidance set out in Chapter 8 of Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010) relating to the publication of serious case reviews.

Local Authority Grant Reductions

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

This document gives details of grant reductions to individual local authorities.

Address to Welfare Providers: Speech by Chris Grayling

Jun 11 2010 12:00AM

This is a transcript of the speech by Employment Minister Chris Grayling on 2 June 2010. He talks about welfare reform.

Understanding the role of Jobcentre Plus and contracted providers

Jun 8 2010 12:00AM

This guide provides further detail of the government's provision for jobseekers, setting out the respective roles of Jobcentre Plus and DWP

Taking control of care - Development plans

Jun 8 2010 12:00AM

Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council received a local innovation award in March 2010 for their work on ‘taking control of care’. This case study sets out Trafford’s development plans.

Strategic Housing Events - Facing the Future

May 28 2010 12:00AM

This is a review of three events on the strategic housing function of local authorities.

Important Changes to Care Quality Commission's assessment of adult social care services

May 28 2010 12:00AM

CQC is working closely with the adult social care sector in developing a new system to replace quality ratings (star ratings) for registered social care services

CQC has already begun talks with stakeholders to discuss how a new system might work. It will also draw on feedback from the recent consultation on assessments of quality in 2010-11 and will launch a further programme of work later this year to develop different options.

Continuing care Directions

Jan 13 2010 12:00AM

These directions have been issued in support of the national framework for NHS continuing healthcare and NHS-funded nursing care.

Supporting People review 2009

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

This report looks at the overall impact and successes of the Supporting People programme, which funds housing-related support services for a wide range of vulnerable people including older people, people with mental health problems, young people, people with learning difficulties, women suffering domestic violence and offenders.

A lot of heart n soul

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

The IDeA, in partnership with the cultural organisation Heart n Soul, has been working to help people with learning disabilities get employment in local authorities.

Get Connected

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

The internet and IT are transforming the way we communicate, learn and work. Get Connected is a new support programme to enable providers of care for adults in England to access information and communication technology (ICT) more effectively.

Merton’s travel training programme for vulnerable adults

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

The London Borough of Merton has unveiled a new initiative designed to improve the lives of vulnerable adults. The programme supports adults with learning difficulties to access council services and provides bespoke travel training, giving this vulnerable group the chance to gain independence, get a job, go to college or attend social and leisure activities. This case study gives more information.

An analytical framework for community empowerment evaluations

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

This framework aims to provide guidance to researchers and practitioners undertaking evaluations of projects that aim to deliver empowerment outcomes at the local level. It can also be useful at a variety of spatial levels - from large-scale national evaluations to small-scale neighbourhood interventions.

Make a New Year’s resolution to look in on older neighbours

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

With many older people living alone and more than 180,000 saying they have gone for a whole week without speaking to friends, family or neighbours, Care Service Minister Phil Hope is asking the public to make a New Year’s resolution to visit older neighbours more often.

The second year of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service: 2008/2009

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

This is the annual report on the second year of operation of the Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service.

Equality and Human Rights Commission: Equality impact assessment guidance

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

This document provides a step-by-step guide to integrating equality impact assessment into policymaking and review.

Autism Spectrum Disorders in adults living in households throughout England - report from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007

Jan 12 2010 12:00AM

This report presents data on the presence of autism spectrum disorders, based on the data collected at phases one and two of the adult psychiatric morbidity survey 2007.

Department of Health Bulletin

Jan 7 2010 12:00AM

This link always has a summary of any guidance or circulars from the DH, and changes weekly

Valuing People Support Team Website

Jan 7 2010 12:00AM

This Department of Health website contains all of the latest news and developments concerning the implementation of the English White Paper, Valuing People. It is updated regularly. This is the website to go to for all of your White Paper information.

A Guide to Short Breaks

Aug 24 2009 12:00AM

Supporting family carers and people with learning disabilities to have short breaks that work for them.

Quality Framework: Guidance for community services

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

This guidance sets out how the seven elements of the quality framework apply to community services. It includes a set of proposed indicators of quality that will be developed and assured for publication.

Transforming Community Services: Ambition, action, achievement

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

These best practice guides have a vital role to play in the delivery of the intentions for High Quality Care for All: The next stage review. They should be read in conjunction with the quality framework and quality indicators.

Disability and Carers Service Customer Service Survey 2008

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

This report presents the findings from the fifth annual customer survey on customers' experiences of and satisfaction. It also identifies key trends following on from the previous 2007 survey.

Understanding Personal Health Budgets

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

This leaflet is designed to give organisations involved in developing personal health budgets consistent, accessible information to give to people. It introduces the idea of a personal health budget and provides details of where to obtain further information.

Recognising Complexity: Commissioning guidance for personality disorder services

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

uidance for commissioners in the NHS, criminal justice system, local authorities and others, which provides information and suggestions on best practice when considering services and systems for people with personality disorders.

Disability Living Allowance Claimants: A new assessment - The characteristics and aspirations of the incapacity benefit claimants who receive disability living allowance

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

This report looks at the 1.25 million adults of working age who claim disability living allowance as well as incapacity benefits. The purpose is to identify the characteristics and aspirations of these men and women and to assess the extent to which they differ from, or are similar to, the incapacity benefit claimant group as a whole.

Fairer Contributions Guidance: Calculating an individual's contribution to their personal budget

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

This guidance supplements the current fairer charging guidance. It provides councils with a model for calculating a person's contribution to their personal budget. Councils providing personal budgets should implement this section 7 guidance by March 2010.

Supporting People Financial Benefits Model Documentation and User Guide

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

This page links to a user guide for the Supporting People local authority financial benefits model and to the model spreadsheet.

Assessments Relating to Learning Difficulties: Guidance to local authorities - Consultation

Jul 27 2009 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on draft guidance for local authorities on assessment of learning difficulties.

Recognising complexity: commissioning guidance for personality disorder services

Jul 3 2009 12:00AM

Guidance for commissioners in the NHS, criminal justice system, local authorities and others, which provides information and suggestions on best practice when considering services and systems for people with personality disorders

More control for disabled people

Jun 22 2009 12:00AM

A national consultation that could dramatically change the way every disabled person lives their life is being launched today by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper.

Joint commissioning framework for dementia

Jun 22 2009 12:00AM

This framework provides best practice guidance for commissioning dementia services. It includes a joint strategic needs assessment template, a summary of evidence for dementia services, commissioning levers against each of the strategy's objectives and a summary of South East Coastal strategic health authority dementia metrics.

Adult social care law is in urgent need of reform

Jun 22 2009 12:00AM

That, at least, is the conclusion of the Law Commission (LC), which is currently in the middle of a systematic review.

Demonstrating how to deliver stroke care for adults in the community

Jun 22 2009 12:00AM

This letter gives information about the scope and purpose of funding for all councils with adult social services responsibilities in England to demonstrate how to deliver stroke care for adults in the community.

A better future: a consultation on a future strategy for adults with autistic spectrum conditions

Jun 22 2009 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on a strategy to support adults with autistic spectrum conditions. It considers five key themes for delivering change: health, social inclusion, choice and control, awareness raising and access to training and employment.

Information book for prisoners with a disability

Jun 22 2009 12:00AM

These books give information for prisoners on their health, daily life and how to get help in prison and on release.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and you

May 27 2009 12:00AM

Hospitals, care homes, local authorities and primary care trusts have a statutory duty to make sure that the person made subject to the authorisation and assessment process is supported to understand what is happening to them, and that they are made aware of their rights and entitlements. This gives links to an easy read booklet and an audio version of it for the person made subject to the process. The information is available for download and distribution at the provider's discretion.

Private and voluntary healthcare: Care Standards Act 2000: Regulations and National Minimum Standards - consultation response

May 27 2009 12:00AM

The department held a consultation on the Private and Voluntary Healthcare Regulations 2001 to ensure that the private and voluntary healthcare sector is regulated effectively during the run-up to wider changes to the regulatory framework. This is the response to the consultation.

Health Action Planning and Health Facilitation for people with learning disabilities: good practice guidance

May 27 2009 12:00AM

The purpose of this guidance is to describe and clarify good practice in health facilitation and health action planning and support localities to make progress on this and on reducing health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities.

Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: A guide for family, friends and unpaid carers

May 27 2009 12:00AM

This booklet provides guidance for those whose doctor or health and social care professionals are thinking about introducing a care plan in which a family member or friend will be deprived of their liberty in a hospital or care home.

LAC (DH)(2009)3: Charges for Residential Accommodation - CRAG Amendment No 28

May 27 2009 12:00AM

This letter announces changes to residential charging arrangements and provides clarification of certain policies, including self-funding care home residents' entitlement to the 12-week property disregard and the responsibility of local authorities to offer deferred payments to qualifying residents.

Assessments Relating to Learning Difficulties - Guidance to Local Authorities

May 27 2009 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on draft guidance for local authorities on assessment of learning difficulties.

Consultation on ordinary residence guidance, Directions and cross-border arrangements

May 27 2009 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on the revision of guidance on the ordinary residence provisions in the National Assistance Act 1948 and on draft Directions that set out local authority responsibilities when ordinary residence disputes arise.

Department of Health: User-led organisations

Mar 31 2009 2:51PM

This page links to information on user-led organisations, run and controlled by disabled people, which will be a vital part of the implementation of a new approach to supporting independent living.

High Quality Care For All

Mar 31 2009 2:41PM

In 2008 Lord Darzi published High Quality Care For All. This was the final report of the NHS Next Stage Review, co-produced with the NHS during a year-long process involving more than 2000 clinicians, and 60,000 NHS staff, patients, stakeholders and members of the public.

Health checks for people with learning disabilities

Feb 16 2009 11:41AM

Directions now require PCTs to offer GP practices in their area the opportunity to provide Directed Enhanced Services, including these health checks. This letter encourages primary care trusts (PCTs) to undertake the preparatory work needed to allow these health checks to begin.

In Focus: Putting people first: Equality and diversity matters 3

Feb 16 2009 11:28AM

Social care services should enable disabled people to participate in society on an equal basis to others.

This bulletin looks at how social care services can ensure they promote equality for disabled people. This will only be achieved if care providers focus on the barriers that disabled people face.

Multi-agency inspection of learning disability services in Ayrshire

Feb 16 2009 11:21AM

Social Work Inspection Agency: Multi-Agency Inspection of Services for People with Learning Disabilities in Ayrshire

Social care for disabled people should help them play equal part in society, says CSCI

Feb 12 2009 1:29PM

Disabled people should receive services from care providers that enable them to participate in society on an equal basis to others, says the last of CSCI’s good practice bulletins, published today.

LinkAge Plus: Benefits for older people

Feb 11 2009 12:00PM

This second thematic report on the evaluation of LinkAge Plus focuses on how approach and pilot activities result in a range of benefits for older people. The report finds that LinkAge Plus is contributing to the improvement of older people's quality of life, healthy life expectancy and active participation in society

World Class Commissioning: Policy guidance and toolkits

Feb 11 2009 11:50AM

This page links to guidance and supporting material on world class commissioning at the primary and community health care level.

Fairer Contributions Guidance: A consultation on the extension and revision of the statutory guidance for charging for non-residential social services in relation to personal budgets

Feb 11 2009 11:47AM

This consultation seeks views on the extension and revision of the statutory guidance for charging for non-residential social services. The aim of the new guidance is to provide councils with a system for calculating how much a person should contribute to their personal budget.

Common Assessment Framework for Adults: A consultation on proposals to improve information sharing around multi-disciplinary assessment and care planning

Feb 11 2009 11:40AM

This consultation focuses on improving the quality and efficiency of care and support through improvements in the sharing and use of information. It will be of interest to the general public, commissioners of health, social care and wider community support services and the voluntary and independent sectors. There will be consultation events across the country from 22 January 2009.

Charging for residential care

Feb 11 2009 11:37AM

This document assesses various factors influencing the charges made for residential care, including personal expense allowances.

Review of international evidence on the cost of disability

Feb 11 2009 11:31AM

This report examines how the international literature on the extra costs of disability could contribute to an assessment of the disability living allowance and attendance allowance programmes in the UK.

Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA DOLS) and Section 75 partnerships under the National Health Service Act 2006

Feb 11 2009 11:18AM

To further enable local authorities (LAs) and primary care trusts (PCTS) (supervisory bodies under MCA DOLS) to enter into a range of shared operational and administrative arrangements to most effectively carry out their respective MCA DOLS functions, the Government proposes, during February 2009, to lay amending regulations to the NHS Bodies and Local Authorities Partnership Arrangements Regulations 2000. MCA DOLS will be included on the list of functions of NHS Bodies in regulation 5, thereby enabling PCTs to enter into formal partnership arrangements with a local authority under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006. Local authorities will be enabled to carry out MCA DOLS functions on behalf of PCTs.

First steps for personal health budgets

Feb 11 2009 12:00AM

Personal health budgets in England moved a step closer today with the Department of Health inviting expressions of interest for a new pilot programme.

Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: Consultation on the Mental Capacity (Deprivation of Liberty: Monitoring and Reporting) and (Deprivation of Liberty: Standard Authorisations,

Jan 27 2009 12:39PM

These draft regulations confer power on the Care Quality Commission for the purpose of monitoring, and reporting on, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

Common Assessment Framework for Adults

Jan 27 2009 12:29PM

The Common Assessment Framework for Adults brings together and builds on the current Single Assessment Process (SAP) and the Care Programme Approach (CPA) in mental health. CAF aims to improve outcomes for all adults with complex, longer-term health and social care needs. Its unified approach will be especially helpful to those who previously had to deal with separate health, social care and other support systems.

Changing Supporting People funding in England: Results from a pilot exercise - Summary

Jan 27 2009 11:36AM

The government is exploring the removal of ring fencing from the Supporting People grant because it is believed this will increase innovation, flexibility and success within the housing support sector. These changes are designed to be focused upon determining what local people need most, prioritising those needs and putting action in place to deliver results.

A pilot exercise in removing the ring fence from Supporting People funding was conducted in fifteen local authority areas during the financial year 2008/9. The fifteen 'Pathfinder' authorities were selected to ensure coverage of Government Office Regions and to reflect a wide range of administering authorities.

Programmes to promote employment for disabled people: Lessons from the United States

Jan 27 2009 12:00AM

This report reviews evaluation findings from the US experience in providing return-to-work supports for people with disabilities and discusses the implications for similar efforts in the UK. The report provides lessons for developing and evaluating future UK employment initiatives, especially for people with severe psychiatric conditions and long-term disability claimants.

Housing, care, support: a guide to integrating housing-related support at a regional level

Jan 27 2009 12:00AM

Research was undertaken to produce best practice guidance for commissioners of housing-related support services working in housing, health and social care at a local and regional level.

This report outlines the findings of a research project commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Housing Corporation and the Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) to explore investment in housing-related support for vulnerable groups within the context of the new regional framework. The research comprised a literature review which included local and regional strategies, five regional Appreciative Inquiry events and interviews with stakeholders.

Valuing People Now - main report

Jan 20 2009 5:34AM

Valuing people now sets out the Government's strategy for people with learning disabilities for the next three years following consultation. It also responds to the main recommendations in Healthcare for All, the independent inquiry into access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities

Valuing People Now - Executive Summary

Jan 20 2009 12:00AM

Valuing People Now - easy read version

Jan 20 2009 12:00AM

Valuing People Now - Delivery Plan

Jan 20 2009 12:00AM

Valuing People Now - Response to the Consultation

Jan 20 2009 12:00AM

Estimating Future Need for Adult Social Care Services for People with Learning Disabilities in England

Dec 17 2008 12:00AM

The work in this report was conducted by the Centre for Disability Research at Lancaster University on behalf of Mencap. The aim of the project was to estimate changes in the needs of adults with learning disabilities in England for social care services from 2009 to 2026.

Case for Real Change

Dec 17 2008 12:00AM

Submission to the consultation on 'The Case for Change - why England needs a new care and support system'

Transfer of Learning Disability SC Funding and Commissioning from the NHS to Local Government

Nov 26 2008 1:06PM

This letter to all primary care trusts and strategic health authorities gives an update on the transfer of commissioning responsibility from primary care trusts to local authorities with respect to non-health care-related expenditure for people with learning difficulties.

Helping people achieve their full potential: Improving Specialist Disability Employment Services consultation – Summary of Responses

Nov 26 2008 12:00AM

This publication presents the responses to a consultation on proposals to combine several schemes into a single new programme to improve access to work resources.

Help build a better health and social care service: Local Involvement Networks (LINks) explained

Nov 26 2008 12:00AM

This leaflet explains local involvement networks, which have been introduced to help strengthen the system that enables communities to influence local health and care services.

Independent Review of Older People’s Engagement with Government

Nov 26 2008 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on a report that examines the current arrangements for the engagement of older people and the ability of those arrangements to inform the policy and actions of Government at all levels.

Making Experiences Count - reform of the Health and Social Care complaints arrangements

Oct 29 2008 12:00AM

This page gives information on the Department of Health’s reforms to NHS health and social care complaints arrangements.

Involving carers in out of area treatments

Sep 9 2008 3:00PM

A good practice guidance about involving families if someone is sent out of area, it's been written about families of people who have severe and enduring mental illnesses, but the principles are applicable for anyone

Skills for Care Learning Disability Knowledge sets

Jun 12 2008 11:58AM

Skills for Care have developed five Learning Disability Knowledge Sets: History and context of learning disability services, Communication, Relationships, Accessing and using information, Independence and well being

New guidance on CRB checks for volunteers

Jun 12 2008 11:45AM

The Cabinet Office today published guidance to help organisations that use volunteers to be clear about when they do and don't need to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks on volunteers. The guidance will help cut unnecessary red tape and responds to concerns voiced by the voluntary sector that potential volunteers can be put off if they are asked to undergo a CRB check without good reason.

Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities: a caring system on your side, a life of your own

Jun 11 2008 12:00AM

The carers' strategy sets out the Government's short-term agenda and long-term vision for the future care and support of carers

LAC (DH) (2008) 4: The Mental Capacity Act

Jun 4 2008 12:00AM

This Local Authority Circular sets out the resources available for the year 2008-2009 for the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and provisional figures for 2009-2010 and 2010 - 2011.

Towards a strategy to support volunteering in health and social care: consultation

Jun 4 2008 12:00AM

A volunteering strategy for health and social care will articulate the key actions needed to address the perceived obstacles to making a refreshed vision for volunteering in health and social care a reality.

Government pledges £900,000 towards independent living and launches support programme for councils

Jun 4 2008 12:00AM

Minister for Care Services Ivan Lewis today announced an extra £900,000 to help disabled people work towards having more independent lives.

Changing for the better: Guidance when undertaking major changes to NHS services

Jun 1 2008 12:00AM

Leading clinician and Health Minister Lord Darzi today issued five pledges to the public and staff on how the NHS will handle changes to services. He set out a rigorous process requiring any change to be transparent, clinically evidenced, locally led and for the benefit of patients.

Department of Health announces Adult Autism Strategy

Jun 1 2008 12:00AM

Care services Minister Ivan Lewis today announced £500,000 for Government research into the numbers of adults with autism and their specific transitions needs. This prevalence study will inform the first ever Government strategy on adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome, due to be published next year.

Attitudes to Mental Illness 2008 Research Report

Jun 1 2008 12:00AM

The latest national statistics on Attitudes to Mental Illness produced by the Department of Health were released on 8 May 2008 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

Social Enterprise: ‘Innovation for Life Challenge Fund’

May 12 2008 12:00AM

This is a letter from Director of System Management and New Enterprise Bob Ricketts. It outlines the objectives, assessement criteria and details of how organisations can apply for the Innovation for Life Challenge Fund.

Mental Health Act 2007 - commencement orders, regulations, and other secondary legislation

May 8 2008 12:00AM

This page will give details of commencement orders, regulations and other secondary legislation flowing from the Mental Health Act 2007.

Government response to the Joint Committee on Human Rights: A life like any other? Human rights of adults with learning disabilities

May 8 2008 12:00AM

The Joint Committee on Human Rights published its report 'A life like any other? Human rights of adults with learning disabilities' on 6 March 2008. This memorandum sets out the Government response to the conclusions and recommendations in that report.

The National Service Framework for Long-term Neurological Conditions: national support for local implementation 2008

May 6 2008 12:00AM

This document is the product of collaboration between DH, Care Service Improvement Partnership (CSIP) and the Third sector, and gives an overview of resources, tools and initiatives that are/will be available to support local implementation of the NSF.

Code of Practice: Mental Health Act 1983

May 6 2008 12:00AM

This revised Code of Practice has been prepared in accordance with section 118 of the Mental Health Act 1983 by the Secretary of State for Health after consulting such bodies as appeared to him to be concerned, and laid before Parliament. The Code will come into force in November 2008.

Common core principles to support self care: a guide to support implementation.

May 1 2008 12:00AM

Skills for Health and Skills for Care have worked with key stakeholders, including people who use services and carers, to develop a set of ‘Common Core Principles to Support Self Care’. The principles capture best practice in order to support service reform and promote choice,
control, independence and participation of people who use services.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005: new resources

Apr 28 2008 12:00AM

This letter sets out the new resources being made available for the health sector for the year 2008-09 for work in relation to the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Health and Social Care Bill - the Government's response to the report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights

Apr 16 2008 12:00AM

The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) has published three reports on its legislative scrutiny of the Health and Social Care Bill. The Government sent a response to the first two of these reports to the Chair of the Committee on 16 April 2008.

The future regulation of health and adult social care in England: A consultation on the framework for the registration of health and adult social care providers

Mar 27 2008 12:00AM

This consultation seeks views on: which health and adult social care services should require registration with the Care Quality Commission; and what the requirements for registration should be. Without registering with the Care Quality Commission, it will be illegal for health and adult social care organisations to provide services that come within the scope of registration

Injustice in residential care: A joint report by the Local Government Ombudsman and the Health Service Ombudsman for England

Mar 26 2008 12:00AM

Investigations into complaints against Buckinghamshire County Council and against Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership

Refocusing the care programme approach: Policy and positive practice guidance

Mar 20 2008 12:00AM

Following the national consultation, Reviewing the Care programme Approach (CPA), and having considered the issues identified, this guidance updates policy and sets out positive practice guidance for trusts and commissioners to review local practice to refocus CPA within mental health services.

2007 CSR revenue allocation - Learning disability campus closure programme

Mar 12 2008 12:00AM

Letter giving arrangements for additional ring fenced CSR revenue funding that has been made available over three years to help with the additional costs that may be incurred with the reprovision of people with learning disabilities from campus accommodation to housing in the community. A census is being carried out to establish the basis for the allocation. A copy of the census is included in the letter.

Volunteering in Health and Social Care Report

Mar 10 2008 12:00AM

The report identifies a largely untapped source of volunteers in service-users. It argues that they could make an enormous contribution as volunteers in health and social care because no one understands what it is like to have a condition like a person who has it themselves.

Improving specialist disability employment services – public consultation

Mar 10 2008 12:00AM

This consultation contains proposals to reform our disability employment services that help disabled people who have complex issues to find, retain and progress in work – the Job Introduction Scheme, Work Preparation, WORKSTEP, Access to Work and the role of Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentre Plus.

A Life Like Any Other? Human Rights of Adults with Learning Disabilities

Mar 6 2008 12:00AM

The extent to which the rights of adults with learning disabilities are being respected raises fundamental issues of humanity, dignity, equality, respect and autonomy: all key human rights principles. The Committee’s inquiry was extended and wide-ranging.

Independent Living Strategy

Mar 6 2008 12:00AM

The strategy sets out a five-year plan that seeks to realise the Government's aim that all disabled people (including older disabled people) should be able to live autonomous lives, and to have the same choice, freedom, dignity and control over their lives as non-disabled people.

Disabled Facilities Grant: The Package of Changes to Modernise the Programme

Feb 25 2008 12:00AM

This document sets out the Government's response to the consultation paper - Disabled Facilities Grant Programme: The Government's proposals to improve programme delivery.

Personal Social Services Expenditure and Unit Costs: England 2006/07

Feb 8 2008 12:00AM

In 2006-07, gross current expenditure by Councils with Social Services Responsibilities in England on Personal Social Services was £20.1 billion, an increase of 4 per cent in cash terms (1 per cent in real terms) on the previous year and 11 per cent in real terms since 2003-04