The government published a concordat setting out the shared aims and values which would guide the transformation of adult social care – agreed between central and local government, the sector's professional leadership, service providers, and the regulator. It also announced an extra £520 million of ring-fenced funding to transform social care over the three years to 2010-11 through the introduction of personal care budgets.
Source: Putting People First: A shared vision and commitment to the transformation of adult social care, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Plan | DH press release | Speech | LGA press release | NHS Confederation press release | Kings Fund press release | UNISON press release | Age Concern press release | Carers UK press release | Counsel and Care press release | Skills for Care press release | Turning Point press release | UKHCA press release | FT report | Community Care report | BBC report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Dec
A new book said that the strong connexions between moral meaning and spirituality were often not reflected in the health and social care literature. It provided a practical framework for incorporating spirituality into ethical decision-making and care.
Source: Simon Robinson, Spirituality, Ethics and Care, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (020 7833 2307)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Oct
A think-tank report examined the existing system for funding long-term care, and considered the main options for reform against the principles of equity, efficiency, and sustainability. It said that a partnership arrangement offered the best solution – whereby the state provided a certain level of care and encouraged individuals to make contributions above that level. It suggested two ways in which this could be implemented: a revenue-neutral option which would substantially improve the existing system without increasing government expenditure, and a more comprehensive – but costly – alternative.
Source: Mark Bell, Looking Ahead: Paying for long term care, CentreForum (020 7340 1160)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Oct
The government announced (in its 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review) that it intended to publish a Green Paper on the funding of long-term care in England. It denied reports that it was signalling an end to mean-testing for personal care.
Source: Meeting the Aspirations of the British People: 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, Cm 7227, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Summary | Hansard | HMT press releases | DH press release | Kings Fund press release | Carers UK press release | PRTC press release | NCF press release | Help the Aged press release (1) | Help the Aged press release (2) | Age Concern press release | ABI press release | Community Care report | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Oct
An article examined the Scottish policy of free personal care for older people. For clients and informal carers it remained popular, but was part of a service-led model of provision which did not reflect their own views of their care and support needs.
Source: Alison Bowes and David Bell, 'Free personal care for older people in Scotland: issues and implications', Social Policy and Society, Volume 6 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jul
A report said that the number of older people in Scotland receiving personal care had increased by almost two-thirds since it was made free.
Source: David Bell, Alison Bowes and Alison Dawson, Free Personal Care in Scotland: Recent developments, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report | JRF Findings | JRF press release | BBC report | Community Care report
Date: 2007-Jul
A new book examined the relationship between social care, community, and citizenship. Chapters covered anti-social behaviour, domestic violence, community capacity to care, black and minority ethnic care, volunteering, befriending, and home care.
Source: Susan Balloch and Michael Hill (eds.), Care, Community and Citizenship: Research and practice in a changing policy context, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Jul
The Scottish Executive announced that an independent review would be established to investigate the level and distribution of resources to councils for the delivery of free personal care. Action was required in order to enhance delivery of free personal care - to ensure that all those entitled to it received it, and that they did so without undue delay.
Source: Press release 14 June 2007, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: SE press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jun
An official review said that the Department of Health had not yet set out a clearly articulated vision for the future of health and social care, and how to get there.
Source: Capability Review of the Department of Health, Cabinet Office (020 7261 8527)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Jun
A new book examined black perspectives in social work.
Source: Mekada Graham, Black Issues in Social Work and Social Care, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Jun
A Member of Parliament introduced a Bill designed to amend the Human Rights Act 1998 to extend the definition of public authority to include any body acting pursuant to a contract with a public body to perform a function of a public nature; and to confer new functions on local authorities in relation to persons in need of care or protection provided by such authorities.
Source: Protection of Adults in Care (Prevention of Harm and Exploitation) Bill, Paul Burstow MP, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Bill | Hansard
Date: 2007-Jun
The government published a White Paper on children in care. The paper focused on ways of improving educational opportunities. £305 million of extra government spending was promised over the period to 2010-11. Businesses would offer children in care private tutors, apprenticeships, and management training.
Source: Care Matters: Time for Change, Cm 7137, Department for Education and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: White Paper | Hansard | DfES press release | LGA press release | NCH press release | NCB press release | BAAF press release | Barnardos press release | ECM press release | EDCM press release | CWDC press release | CPAG press release | Conservative Party press release | IDeA press release | Guardian report | Community Care report | Children Now report | Young People Now report
Date: 2007-Jun
A new book provided a 'comprehensive and up-to-date' analysis of health and social care issues.
Source: Jon Glasby, Understanding Health and Social Care, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Jun
An article examined the potential of chaos and complexity theory to explain social care policy in England from 1981, highlighting the imprecise nature of policy action and the instabilities and fluctuations of social care markets. The growing importance of individualism and independence for older people would increasingly influence the future social care policy system.
Source: Philip Haynes, 'Chaos, complexity and transformations in social care policy in England', Public Money and Management, Volume 27 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jun
An article criticized the concept of 'personalization' in social care.
Source: Iain Ferguson, 'Increasing user choice or privatizing risk? The antinomies of personalization', British Journal of Social Work, Volume 37 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-May
An article examined the origins, nature, and impact of free personal care in Scotland, providing a narrative review of the policy to date.
Source: Helen Dickinson, Jon Glasby, Julien Forder and Lucinda Beesley, 'Free personal care in Scotland: a narrative review', British Journal of Social Work, Volume 37 Number 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-May
The Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 was given Royal assent. The Act gave new powers, and a statutory responsibility, to local agencies to investigate any risk of harm or abuse to adults living in care homes or in the community.
Source: Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, Scottish Parliament, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Act
Date: 2007-Mar
A new book examined the sociological basis of contemporary society, and how social work related to a range of social issues including poverty and social exclusion.
Source: Graeme Simpson and Vicky Price, Transforming Society? Social work and sociology, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Mar
A report examined the operation of free personal and nursing care in Scotland. The vast majority of recipients received their payments or personal care services without undue delay or complication.
Source: Paolo Vestri, Evaluation of the Operation and Impact of Free Personal Care, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283)
Links: Report | Summary | SE press release | COSLA press release
Date: 2007-Feb
Date: 2007-Feb
A new book examined theory, research, policy, and practice in relation to ethical issues in the fields of health and social care.
Source: Audrey Leathard and Susan McLaren (eds.), Ethics: Contemporary challenges in health and social care, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Jan
An article used the example of direct payments to demonstrate how New Labour?s modernization project for personal social services assumed that the modern citizen should be both managerial and entrepreneurial. What were once public responsibilities were being transferred to the individual.
Source: Peter Scourfield, 'Social care and the modern citizen: client, consumer, service user, manager and entrepreneur', British Journal of Social Work, Volume 37 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Jan