The government launched the 'Integrated Care Network', designed to support joint working between local authorities and health service trusts. The Network will 'develop appropriate resources' if existing resources do not meet their needs. The Network will also create a central information resource, provide consultancy, and spread good practice and knowledge.
Source: Press release 24.10.02, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release
Date: 2002-Oct
A report summarised a group of 13 separate projects addressing the outcomes of social care for different adult client groups. The projects were variously concerned with developing new methodologies to measure outcomes, using existing methodologies to evaluate practice, comparing cost and quality, and evaluating and reviewing the evidence.
Source: Melanie Henwood and Eileen Waddington, Outcomes of Social Care for Adults (OSCA): Messages for policy and practice, Nuffield Institute for Health/University of Leeds (0113 343 6352)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 5.1
Date: 2002-Oct
A document was published setting out key targets for health and social services in England, and introducing a new system of three-year planning and allocations. National targets were streamlined to include only those managed at national level, with a commitment to avoid introducing new targets where possible. The planning system was also simplified so that each local area need only submit a single three-year plan.
Source: Improvement, Expansion and Reform: The next 3 years - priorities and planning framework 2003-06, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 2.1
Date: 2002-Oct
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that a man (who had spent intermittent periods in local authority voluntary care while maintaining contact with his parents) had been illegally refused access by social workers to information on his father.
Source: Case of M.G. v The United Kingdom, 24.9.02, European Court of Human Rights (33 0 388412018)
Links: Judgement (Word file)
Date: 2002-Sep
Guidance was published on eligibility criteria for adult social care.
Source: Fair Access to Care Services: Guidance on Eligibility Criteria for Adult Social Care, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Guidance (pdf)
Date: 2002-May