A discussion paper drew together evidence and perspectives on the need for social work intervention. It explored definitions of need from the perspective of users and providers, and considered how these definitions were interpreted in practice.
Source: Don Brand, Trish Reith and Daphne Statham, The Need for Social Work Intervention: A Discussion Paper for the Scottish 21st Century Social Work Review, Scottish Executive (web publication only)
Date: 2005-Dec
A report said that there was a need for a research infrastructure capable of shifting the basis of social care towards evidence-based policy and practice.
Source: Peter Marsh and Mike Fisher, with Nigel Mathers and Sheila Fish, Developing the Evidence Base for Social Work and Social Care Practice, Social Care Institute for Excellence (020 7089 6840)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Dec
The government published the results of consultation on the future of adult care services in England.
Source: Responses to the Consultation on Adult Social Care in England Subtitle, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Consultation responses (pdf)
Date: 2005-Oct
The Northern Ireland Executive set out a long-term strategy for primary health and social care in Northern Ireland.
Source: Caring for People Beyond Tomorrow: A strategic framework for the development of primary health and social care for individuals, families and communities in Northern Ireland, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety/Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Strategy (pdf) | NIE press release
Date: 2005-Oct
The Scottish Executive began consultation to establish whether vulnerable adults needed further protection in community and regulated settings.
Source: Protecting Vulnerable Adults: Securing their Safety - Third consultation paper on the protection of vulnerable adults and related matters, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2005-Jul
The Department of Health published its annual report for 2004-05.
Source: Departmental Report 2005, Cm 6524, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report (pdf links)
Date: 2005-Jun
A book chapter examined recent developments in social care policy.
Source: Ann Netten, 'Personal social services', Social Policy Review 17: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2005, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Table of contents
Date: 2005-Jun
A report summarized research findings on the views of service users, practitioners and others on the future of adult social care.
Source: Gerald Wistow, Developing Social Care: The past, the present and the future, Social Care Institute for Excellence (020 7089 6840)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary | Community Care report
Date: 2005-Jun
The Welsh Assembly government published a 10-year strategy for health and social care in Wales. The strategy was designed to promote the health and well-being of Welsh people through engagement with frontline staff, service users and the public; and through an evidence-based strategy linked to innovation and a commitment to best practice.
Source: Designed for Life: Creating world class health and social care for Wales in the 21st century, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2080 1033)
Links: Report (pdf) | WAG press release
Date: 2005-May
An article advocated a strategic view of direct payments within the social care system - by looking at the context within which direct payments operated, and issues that affected the whole social care system. It was necessary to recognize the impact of direct payments on the whole social care sector, and not just on those people who elected to receive them.
Source: Jane Lyon, 'A systems approach to direct payments: a response to Friend or foe? Towards a critical assessment of direct payments ', Critical Social Policy, Volume 25 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-May
A report reviewed the options for funding long-term care provision. It concluded that the government should seriously consider introducing a form of compulsory provision.
Source: Sandy Johnstone, Private Funding Mechanisms for Long-term Care, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings 0265
Date: 2005-May
The government published a Green Paper on the future of adult social care. It included plans to: simplify and extend the direct payments scheme; provide individual budgets to be allocated to everyone using local authority care and support services, which they could tell their council how to spend; create directors of services for adults who would produce a local care strategy covering council, health, voluntary and private services; and allow people to carry out a self-assessment of their care needs rather than having to undergo assessments with many different staff and agencies. It also gave greater emphasis to preventative services, with more medical technology and equipment provided to enable people to stay in their own homes.
Source: Independence, Well-being and Choice: Our vision for the future of social care for adults in England, Green Paper Cm 6499, Department of Health, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | DH press release | CSCI press release | LGA press release | Age Concern press release | DRC press release | NHS Confed press release | GSCC press release | ADSS press release | Carers UK press release | SCIE press release | Community Care report | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Mar
A think tank announced that it had commissioned Derek Wanless to carry out a fundamental review into the long-term demand for, and supply of, social care for older people. The review would examine the demographic, economic, social, health, and other relevant trends over the following 20 years that were likely to affect the demand for, and nature of, social care for older people aged 65 and over in England; identify the financial and other resources required to ensure that older people who needed social care were able to secure comprehensive, high-quality care that reflected their preferences; and consider how such social care might be funded. (Derek Wanless conducted two independent reviews for the government on future healthcare spending.)
Source: Press release 31 January 2005, King s Fund (020 7307 2400)
Links: King's Fund press release | ADSS press release | TOPSS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jan
A report reviewed the actual and potential coverage of social work and social care research within Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) programmes, and the implications for social work and social care research. There was open acceptance that social work was 'invisible' within the ESRC, due to its general lack of recognition. ESRC staff readily acknowledged that their response to the social work community had been 'entirely reactive'.
Source: Ian Shaw, Hilary Arksey and Audrey Mullender, ESRC Research, Social Work and Social Care, Social Care Institute for Excellence (020 7089 6840)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jan