http://www.communitycare.co.uken-gbThu, 18 Mar 2010 14:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114088/personal-budget-rollout-could-increase-pressure-on-councils.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114088/personal-budget-rollout-could-increase-pressure-on-councils.htmlCouncils could face pressure on resources by having to commission traditional services alongside innovative ones as they roll out personal budgets, research by think-tank Demos shows.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114086/charities-delay-to-free-personal-care-bill-will-hurt-families.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114086/charities-delay-to-free-personal-care-bill-will-hurt-families.htmlCare charities said today they were "disappointed" that government plans to provide free care at home for people with high needs had been delayed and potentially wrecked.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:53:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114079/browns-flagship-free-personal-care-bill-dismantled-by-lords.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114079/browns-flagship-free-personal-care-bill-dismantled-by-lords.htmlGordon Brown's flagship free personal care bill has been torpedoed in the House of Lords and now has little chance of becoming law until after the general election.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:53:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114058/two-thirds-of-pcts-cannot-account-for-dementia-strategy-money.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/18/114058/two-thirds-of-pcts-cannot-account-for-dementia-strategy-money.htmlNearly two-thirds of primary care trusts (PCTs) are unable to show where they have spent money intended to support the national dementia strategy, Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114076/care-white-paper-likely-to-be-vague-on-state-funding-figures.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/17/114076/care-white-paper-likely-to-be-vague-on-state-funding-figures.htmlThe mammoth public spending deficit is likely to prevent ministers from making significant financial commitments in the forthcoming care funding White Paper, experts have warned.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:55:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/16/114065/international-social-work-day-russias-orphanages.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/16/114065/international-social-work-day-russias-orphanages.htmlProvision for disabled children and those with learning disabilities in Russia is thought by many experts to be 50-60 years behind that of the West. But stability under Putin's government has seen a concerted attempt to modernise care standards, writes Howard AmosTue, 16 Mar 2010 12:38:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/16/114055/in-control-personal-budgets-delivering-improved-outcomes.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/16/114055/in-control-personal-budgets-delivering-improved-outcomes.htmlPersonal budgets have improved the lives of most users but fewer clients have true control over their care and support than official estimates indicate, In Control said today.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:59:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/15/114050/personalisation-in-scotland.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/15/114050/personalisation-in-scotland.htmlScotland's government is pledging to make self-directed support central to social care. Jeremy Dunning investigates what this will mean Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:15:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/15/114046/royal-college-of-psychiatrists-to-lead-hospital-dementia-audit.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/15/114046/royal-college-of-psychiatrists-to-lead-hospital-dementia-audit.htmlA comprehensive audit of dementia care in hospitals in England and Wales is to commence this week with a view to developing a quality mark for dementia care.Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/12/114039/mps-let-public-decide-on-fully-tax-funded-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/12/114039/mps-let-public-decide-on-fully-tax-funded-social-care.htmlThe public should be asked whether it supports full tax funding for adult social care, rather than have the option closed off by government, an influential cross-party group of MPs said today.Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:29:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/11/114033/politicians-lack-will-to-reform-care-funding-rules.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/11/114033/politicians-lack-will-to-reform-care-funding-rules.htmlPoliticians have been accused of lacking the will to fix the problems afflicting ordinary residence rules, which can place a huge burden on some local authorities and trap disabled people in unsuitable housing.Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:40:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/11/114026/burnham-hints-white-paper-will-back-compulsory-care-levy.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/11/114026/burnham-hints-white-paper-will-back-compulsory-care-levy.htmlHealth secretary Andy Burnham has strongly suggested the forthcoming adult white paper will back a compulsory levy to fund care as he talked up the idea in a debate with his Tory and Lib Dem opposite numbers yesterday. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:23:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/11/114029/news-round-up-failings-over-raped-daughters-death-tax.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/11/114029/news-round-up-failings-over-raped-daughters-death-tax.htmlHeadlines in today’s papers include:- Litany of failures that let father rape his daughters for years; Labour refuses to rule out 'death tax' to fund care for elderly; Teacher had affair with teenager at special needs school, court told; Schoolgirl, 13, found hanged amid claims she was bullied because she was pretty. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:11:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114018/phil-hope-pcts-will-be-held-to-account-on-carers-funding.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114018/phil-hope-pcts-will-be-held-to-account-on-carers-funding.htmlPrimary care trusts will be held to account for their spending on carers following revelations that dedicated resources for short breaks were not being spent as desired, care services minister Phil Hope has pledged.Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:08:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114002/personalisation-chief-john-bolton-to-leave-department-of-health.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114002/personalisation-chief-john-bolton-to-leave-department-of-health.htmlThe civil servant who has led on the implementation of the personalisation programme in England is to leave the Department of Health.Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:56:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114015/news-round-up-jon-venables-laming-adult-care-row-election.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114015/news-round-up-jon-venables-laming-adult-care-row-election.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Parties clash ahead of elderly social care summit; Psychiatric report said Jon Venables was a 'negligible risk'; Public sector pay has risen 15% more than private since Labour came to powerWed, 10 Mar 2010 08:21:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114017/political-leaders-urged-to-stop-bickering-over-social-care-reform.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/10/114017/political-leaders-urged-to-stop-bickering-over-social-care-reform.htmlAn Age Concern and Help the Aged poll has revealed that six out of 10 adults think politicians are not doing enough to work together to improve the care and support system.Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/09/113999/stroke-association-lack-of-stroke-physio-puts-strain-on-carers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/09/113999/stroke-association-lack-of-stroke-physio-puts-strain-on-carers.htmlA lack of community physiotherapy for stroke patients is putting a strain on carers, the Stoke Association and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy revealed in a report today.Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113988/integration-birmingham-to-create-315m-health-and-care-budget.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113988/integration-birmingham-to-create-315m-health-and-care-budget.htmlBirmingham Council and its NHS partners are set to create a pooled budget of £315m, establishing what is believed to be one of the country's biggest health and social care partnership arrangements.Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:09:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113987/retail-scheme-to-provide-disability-aids-launched-in-london.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113987/retail-scheme-to-provide-disability-aids-launched-in-london.htmlA government-backed programme to roll out a "retail model" of community equipment provision was launched across London yesterday, after evidence that its pilot areas had improved people's lives and saved money.Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:58:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113979/adult-care-faces-cuts-as-councils-protect-childrens-services.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113979/adult-care-faces-cuts-as-councils-protect-childrens-services.htmlMost councils are planning savage cuts to adult social care but intend to protect children's services from financial pain, public finance chiefs have found.Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:50:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113959/basw-asked-to-step-down-from-social-work-college-talks.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/05/113959/basw-asked-to-step-down-from-social-work-college-talks.htmlThe British Association of Social Workers has been asked to step down from the national college development group amid growing criticism of its decision to launch a breakaway social work college. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:54:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113974/scottish-msps-issue-evidence-call-on-assisted-dying-legislation.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113974/scottish-msps-issue-evidence-call-on-assisted-dying-legislation.html A Scottish Parliament committee is calling for written evidence to help shape its examination of legislation on assisted dying. The End of Life Assistance...Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:41:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113950/free-personal-care-bill-faces-general-election-deadline.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113950/free-personal-care-bill-faces-general-election-deadline.htmlThe government's battle to pass legislation to introduce free personal care at home before the general election looks set to go right down to the wire.Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:05:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113948/inspectors-urge-indeterminate-prison-sentence-review.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/04/113948/inspectors-urge-indeterminate-prison-sentence-review.htmlThe prisons and probation inspectorates have called for a major review of indeterminate prison sentences in a report today which renewed concerns over disabled...Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:39:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/03/113947/jobcentre-staff-disabled-people-wrongly-deemed-fit-for-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/03/113947/jobcentre-staff-disabled-people-wrongly-deemed-fit-for-work.htmlJobcentre Plus staff feel many people who pass work capability assessments are not fit for work, according to a study by the Department of Work and Pensions published yesterday.Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:08:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/03/113943/news-round-up-james-bulger-sarahs-law-autism-care-lottery.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/03/113943/news-round-up-james-bulger-sarahs-law-autism-care-lottery.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- James Bulger's killer 'back where he belongs'; 'Sarah's law' pilot raises revenge fears; New focus on adults with autism; How pensioners are punished by the care lotteryWed, 03 Mar 2010 10:47:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/01/113936/adass-tells-dh-make-personal-care-part-funded-not-free.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/01/113936/adass-tells-dh-make-personal-care-part-funded-not-free.htmlThe government should part-fund personal care at home for people with high needs rather than make it free to ensure the policy is affordable for councils, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has said.Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:47:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/01/113929/news-round-up-shannon-matthews-council-cuts-end-of-life-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/03/01/113929/news-round-up-shannon-matthews-council-cuts-end-of-life-care.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Councils consider plans to shed 170,000 public sector jobs; Shannon Matthews kidnap report unlikely until after election; Terminally ill 'unable to die at home through lack of nursing cover'; Legal challenge over Yarl's Wood womenMon, 01 Mar 2010 09:04:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/26/113917/risk-factor-a-young-offender-with-learning-disabilities-who-was-prone-to-violent-outbursts.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/26/113917/risk-factor-a-young-offender-with-learning-disabilities-who-was-prone-to-violent-outbursts.htmlWorking with young offenders is difficult at the best of times, but problems can be complicated further when an offender has learning disabilities, writes Mark Drinkwater. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:48:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/26/113906/dh-set-to-announce-future-role-of-adult-social-workers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/26/113906/dh-set-to-announce-future-role-of-adult-social-workers.htmlThe Department of Health will publish a statement later today on the future roles and tasks of adult social workers within a personalised care system, care minister Phil Hope has announced. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:52:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/25/113907/most-councils-failing-deaf-children.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/25/113907/most-councils-failing-deaf-children.htmlTwo-thirds of local authorities in England are failing deaf children, according to research from the University of Manchester.Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:48:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/25/113893/tories-appoint-lse-professor-to-slash-social-work-bureaucracy.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/25/113893/tories-appoint-lse-professor-to-slash-social-work-bureaucracy.htmlThe Conservatives have appointed Eileen Munro, professor of social policy at the London School of Economics, to consider how bureaucracy should be slashed in social work and child protection.Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/23/113875/leonard-cheshire-disability-explores-cuts-in-user-support.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/23/113875/leonard-cheshire-disability-explores-cuts-in-user-support.html Leonard Cheshire Disability is considering closing down its award-winning service user support team in an effort to cut costs. The charity, Britain's...Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:46:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/19/113841/carers-uk-urges-more-support-for-carers-to-avoid-crisis.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/19/113841/carers-uk-urges-more-support-for-carers-to-avoid-crisis.htmlCarers UK today called on employers and the state to sign up to a 'social contract' to support carers to help stave off a "tipping point" when families will no longer be able to provide sufficient care for older people.Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:21:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/17/113826/social-care-row-lib-dem-urges-tory-chief-to-attend-conference.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/17/113826/social-care-row-lib-dem-urges-tory-chief-to-attend-conference.htmlLiberal Democrat health spokesperson Norman Lamb has urged Tory opposite number Andrew Lansley to attend this Friday's conference on social care funding reform, to help get efforts to forge a cross-party consensus back on track.Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:04:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/17/113822/news-round-up-assisted-dying-death-tax-edlington-case.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/17/113822/news-round-up-assisted-dying-death-tax-edlington-case.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Torture boys' sentence 'not too lenient'; The confessions of a mercy killer; Seventeen million could have to pay 'death tax', Tories claim; Yarl's Wood children face 'extreme distress'Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:34:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/12/113796/news-round-up-baby-p-legacy-means-more-work-suffolk-cuts.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/12/113796/news-round-up-baby-p-legacy-means-more-work-suffolk-cuts.htmlAlso in today's papers:- Social services 'failed autistic boy' and Mandelson denies Labour abandoning pledges to increase spendingFri, 12 Feb 2010 12:41:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/12/113793/cqc-to-hold-talks-on-joining-up-health-and-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/12/113793/cqc-to-hold-talks-on-joining-up-health-and-social-care.html The Care Quality Commission is set to hold discussions with stakeholders over the coming months on how it intends to encourage greater levels of joined-up...Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:15:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113772/andy-burnham-approves-care-trust-for-blackburn-with-darwen.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113772/andy-burnham-approves-care-trust-for-blackburn-with-darwen.htmlHealth secretary Andy Burnham has approved the creation of a "care trust plus" to integrate health and social care commissioning in Blackburn with Darwen.Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:12:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113764/councils-fail-to-tell-service-users-about-personal-budgets.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113764/councils-fail-to-tell-service-users-about-personal-budgets.htmlMany councils in England are failing to provide potential service users with adequate information about personal budgets – nearly two years into the personalisation agenda.Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:52:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113766/news-round-up-care-plan-row-inheritance-tax-playgroup-probe.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113766/news-round-up-care-plan-row-inheritance-tax-playgroup-probe.htmlMore than 70 leaders of social care throughout England are warning that the Government’s plans to provide free home care are flawed, unfunded and will force cuts to current services.Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:56:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113767/care-plan-row-inheritance-tax-playgroup-sex-assault-probe.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113767/care-plan-row-inheritance-tax-playgroup-sex-assault-probe.htmlMore than 70 leaders of social care throughout England are warning that the Government’s plans to provide free home care are flawed, unfunded and will force cuts to current services.Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:56:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113765/councillors-condemn-gordon-browns-free-care-plan.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/10/113765/councillors-condemn-gordon-browns-free-care-plan.htmlLead councillors from over half of England's local authorities today condemned the government's free personal care plans in an open letter to The Times that dubbed the proposals 'unclear and unfunded'.Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/09/113762/funding-short-breaks-saves-174m-report-finds.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/09/113762/funding-short-breaks-saves-174m-report-finds.htmlSustained funding of short breaks for disabled children and their families can save the state £174m, according to a new report.Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:44:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/09/113761/scottish-government-launches-personalisation-strategy.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/09/113761/scottish-government-launches-personalisation-strategy.html The Scottish government has issued a consultative 10-year strategy to roll out personalisation...Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:06:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/09/113758/news-round-up-assisted-dying-care-levy-asylum-hunger-strike.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/09/113758/news-round-up-assisted-dying-care-levy-asylum-hunger-strike.htmlOther headlines in today's papers:- Inheritance levy to fund social care being considered by ministers; Margo MacDonald's Bill 'would encourage suicide tourism to Scotland'; Hunger strike at detention centreTue, 09 Feb 2010 08:44:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/05/113739/princess-royal-trust-parties-must-make-pledges-for-carers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/05/113739/princess-royal-trust-parties-must-make-pledges-for-carers.htmlThe Princess Royal Trust for Carers has urged the three main political parties to provide explicit guarantees about supporting carers in their election manifestos.Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/04/113730/lord-warner-calls-for-inquiry-into-assisted-dying-law.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/04/113730/lord-warner-calls-for-inquiry-into-assisted-dying-law.htmlFormer health minister Lord Warner has called for the government to set up an independent inquiry into the law on assisted suicide legislation, to clear...Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/04/113722/ofsted-business-links-key-to-finding-jobs-for-disabled.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/04/113722/ofsted-business-links-key-to-finding-jobs-for-disabled.html Ofsted has urged employment support providers for disabled people to forge close links with businesses and use clearer long-term planning to help their clients...Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/03/113713/cqc-councils-to-face-tougher-test-but-no-rating-in-2010-11.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/03/113713/cqc-councils-to-face-tougher-test-but-no-rating-in-2010-11.htmlEnglish councils would face a tougher assessment of performance but no overall rating in 2010-11, if consultative plans issued by the Care Quality Commission yesterday come to fruition.Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:17:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/03/113712/alzheimers-research-trust-dementia-impact-higher-than-ever.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/03/113712/alzheimers-research-trust-dementia-impact-higher-than-ever.htmlDementia costs the UK economy £23bn a year and affects 820,000 people, according to research out today which found that the impact of the disease was far higher than previously thought and that research funding was far too low.Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:06:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/02/113706/short-breaks-for-disabled-children-may-be-statutory.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/02/113706/short-breaks-for-disabled-children-may-be-statutory.htmlLocal authorities could face specific statutory duties on providing short-break services for families of disabled children and young people after ring-fenced funding ends in 2011.Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:14:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/02/113708/edinburgh-may-be-sued-by-disabled-people-over-contracts-saga.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/02/113708/edinburgh-may-be-sued-by-disabled-people-over-contracts-saga.htmlDisabled people may sue Edinburgh Council for human rights breaches or disability discrimination because of its handling of a retendering process for care and support services, which is likely to be halted on Thursday.Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:45:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/01/113701/edinburgh-to-halt-contract-process-after-deloitte-criticism.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/01/113701/edinburgh-to-halt-contract-process-after-deloitte-criticism.htmlEdinburgh Council is set to halt a controversial retendering process for support services for disabled people after it was criticised in an independent report.Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113682/msps-to-debate-bill-on-opening-men-only-care-home-to-women.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113682/msps-to-debate-bill-on-opening-men-only-care-home-to-women.html A care home for men with drink-related mental health problems is to expand its services to women for the first time in its 150-year history - through...Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:40:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113680/charities-tell-peers-to-back-personal-care-at-home-bill.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113680/charities-tell-peers-to-back-personal-care-at-home-bill.htmlA coalition of charities has urged peers to back government legislation to provide free personal care at home for people with high needs, when it enters the House of Lords next week.Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:33:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113671/how-learning-disabled-man-proved-career-catalyst-for-action-for-advocacy-chief.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113671/how-learning-disabled-man-proved-career-catalyst-for-action-for-advocacy-chief.htmlA learning disabled man struggling to resettle proved the career catalyst for Rick Henderson, of Action for Advocacy Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:27:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113681/dh-funded-pilots-launched-to-boost-support-for-visually-impaired.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113681/dh-funded-pilots-launched-to-boost-support-for-visually-impaired.htmlDepartment of Health-funded pilots have been launched to map and improve services for visually impaired people, as part of the UK Vision Strategy.Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113668/lga-councils-should-control-primary-health.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/29/113668/lga-councils-should-control-primary-health.html Councils should have greater control over the running of health services, the Local Government Association said today. In a consultative document,...Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/28/113647/social-enterprise-urges-online-markets-for-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/28/113647/social-enterprise-urges-online-markets-for-social-care.htmlThe government and Care Quality Commission have been urged to help create online marketplaces where care users and providers can trade directly with each other, as part of the personalisation agenda.Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:27:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/26/113656/wales-legislates-to-improve-information-for-carers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/26/113656/wales-legislates-to-improve-information-for-carers.htmlThe Welsh government has introduced legislation to improve the lives of carers through improved information. The proposed Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure would place duties on the NHS and local authorities in Wales to work together to provide information for carers and consult them on services that they or the people they care for receive.Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:45:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/26/113646/mandatory-adult-safeguarding-boards-on-the-cards.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/26/113646/mandatory-adult-safeguarding-boards-on-the-cards.htmlThe government last week announced plans to make multi-agency adult safeguarding boards mandatory by putting them on a statutory footing.Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:55:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/25/113633/professor-to-lead-national-dementia-strategy-implementation.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/25/113633/professor-to-lead-national-dementia-strategy-implementation.htmlAn academic and old age psychiatrist has been appointed to lead the implementation of the Department of Health's national dementia strategy for England.Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:25:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/22/113630/care-home-provider-fined-100000-after-teenagers-death.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/22/113630/care-home-provider-fined-100000-after-teenagers-death.htmlA care home provider has been fined £100,000 over the case of a disabled teenager who died after being lowered into a bath of scalding water. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:26:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/21/113617/assisted-suicide-bill-introduced-in-scotland.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/21/113617/assisted-suicide-bill-introduced-in-scotland.htmlThe Scottish Parliament is to consider legislation aiming to give terminally ill or severely disabled people the right to die. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:43:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/113608/york-council-proposes-care-cuts-and-increased-charges.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/113608/york-council-proposes-care-cuts-and-increased-charges.htmlOlder and disabled people in York are facing cuts to respite care services and increased charges as the council tries to claw back a projected overspend of £1.1m in adult social care.Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:22:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/18/113586/wirral-council-to-compensate-overcharged-service-users.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/18/113586/wirral-council-to-compensate-overcharged-service-users.htmlWirral Council is to pay a group of learning disabled people more than £241,000 after overcharging them for several years for residential services, vindicating the complaints of a whistleblower in 2008.Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:54:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113578/tories-attack-400000-research-spend-on-care-green-paper.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113578/tories-attack-400000-research-spend-on-care-green-paper.htmlShadow health minister Stephen O'Brien has slammed the government for paying over £400,000 in research costs for last year's adult care green paper without publishing the full results.Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:31:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113577/care-provider-alliance-slams-celebrity-big-brother.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113577/care-provider-alliance-slams-celebrity-big-brother.htmlThe Care Provider Alliance has blasted Channel 4 for the alleged negative portrayal of care homes and older people on Celebrity Big Brother this week.Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:19:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113572/scottish-parliament-slams-uk-government-over-care-green-paper.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113572/scottish-parliament-slams-uk-government-over-care-green-paper.htmlThe Scottish Parliament has attacked the UK government for failing to consider the impact of its adult green paper on vulnerable pensioners in Scotland. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:20:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113574/valuing-people-now-one-year-on.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113574/valuing-people-now-one-year-on.htmlTwelve months after the launch of Valuing People Now, Vern Pitt reports on the strategy's progress in improving the care and life chances of people with learning disabilities Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:10:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113559/news-round-up-loan-sharks-tories-want-more-disabled-mps-family-spending-falls.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113559/news-round-up-loan-sharks-tories-want-more-disabled-mps-family-spending-falls.htmlThousands of households have taken out loans with interest rates averaging 825% during "the worst Christmas in a generation" for illegal doorstep lending, according to a new report. Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113558/kings-fund-chief-savages-personal-care-at-home-bill.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113558/kings-fund-chief-savages-personal-care-at-home-bill.htmlGovernment plans to provide free personal care at home for users with high needs have "thrown into reverse" its efforts to persuade the public of the need to contribute to their future care costs.Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/14/113557/pcts-must-be-required-to-deliver-on-dementia-strategy.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/14/113557/pcts-must-be-required-to-deliver-on-dementia-strategy.htmlPrimary care trusts should be required to deliver on the government's national dementia strategy, sector leaders said today, after a critical National Audit Office report found the strategy was at risk of failure.Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:50:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/14/113548/lord-lipsey-personal-care-bill-faces-rough-ride-in-lords.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/14/113548/lord-lipsey-personal-care-bill-faces-rough-ride-in-lords.htmlLabour peer Lord Lipsey has predicted that the Personal Care at Home Bill will face a "rough ride" as it progresses through the House of Lords.Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:31:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/14/113542/national-dementia-strategy-at-risk-of-failure-says-nao.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/14/113542/national-dementia-strategy-at-risk-of-failure-says-nao.htmlThe government's national dementia strategy for England is at risk of failure because of a lack of leadership and mechanisms to deliver on change, a National Audit Office report warned today.Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:27:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/13/113536/news-round-up-louise-casey-pensioner-deaths-cuts.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/13/113536/news-round-up-louise-casey-pensioner-deaths-cuts.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Public service cuts to target middle classes; It's none of your business: What Age Concern told neighbour who phoned fearing for older couple later found dead in their home; 'Problem' families should be put into care, says crime adviserWed, 13 Jan 2010 09:22:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/13/113535/personal-care-at-home-bill-passes-through-commons.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/13/113535/personal-care-at-home-bill-passes-through-commons.htmlLegislation to introduce free personal care at home for people with high-level needs in England passed through the House of Commons last night.Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/12/113528/news-round-up-parky-bridgend-suicides-cold-deaths-probe.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/12/113528/news-round-up-parky-bridgend-suicides-cold-deaths-probe.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Michael Parkinson says care of elderly downright unacceptable; Pensioners found dead in their own home at peak of UK's Big Freeze spark inquiry; Bridgend: Double hanging in town rocked by young suicidesTue, 12 Jan 2010 09:03:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113506/parenting-skills-for-parents-with-learning-disabilities.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113506/parenting-skills-for-parents-with-learning-disabilities.htmlCamilla Pemberton reports on a Family Action service that helps parents with learning disabilities gain the skills to enable them to look after their children successfullyFri, 08 Jan 2010 12:17:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113502/burnham-pledges-care-funding-white-paper-before-election.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113502/burnham-pledges-care-funding-white-paper-before-election.htmlThe government still intends to produce a white paper on adult care funding reform before the next general election to ensure it becomes a "top order issue" on polling day, health secretary Andy Burnham said yesterday.Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/07/113492/news-round-up-gary-mckinnon-vetting-and-barring-cuts.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/07/113492/news-round-up-gary-mckinnon-vetting-and-barring-cuts.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Abusers could slip through, admits vetting scheme boss; Extradition of Gary McKinnon 'breaches Bill of Rights'; The Saga manifesto: Over-50s tell party leaders what they want from the governmentThu, 07 Jan 2010 08:23:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/06/113483/hampshire-closes-day-centres-in-face-of-heavy-snow.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/06/113483/hampshire-closes-day-centres-in-face-of-heavy-snow.htmlHampshire Council has closed its 22 day centres for older people, people with learning disabilities and those with physical disabilities because of the heavy snow.Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/06/113480/news-round-up-outcry-over-feeding-tubes-penniless-gurkhas.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/06/113480/news-round-up-outcry-over-feeding-tubes-penniless-gurkhas.html Care homes forcing elderly to have feeding tubes fitted Thousands of elderly people are being forced to have tubes fitted so they can be artificially fed if they want to be admitted to a care home, a major report warns today. Read more on this story in The Guardian Mother 'injected brain-damaged son with fatal dose of heroin to end misery' A mother injected her brain-damaged son with a fatal dose of heroin while out on bail for a previous attempt at "ending his misery", a court heard. Read more on this story in The Daily Telegraph Penniless Gurkhas turn to UK charity after Joanna Lumley campaign Military charities are being swamped by penniless Gurkhas and their families arriving at Heathrow to settle in Britain after the campaign last year to allow them to live in this country. Read more on this story in The Times Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/05/113476/learning-disability-services-at-worst-damaging-says-cqc.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/05/113476/learning-disability-services-at-worst-damaging-says-cqc.htmlSpecialist health services for learning disabled people still need significant improvement, despite the intense focus regulators have given them in recent years.Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:40:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/04/113471/labour-tory-spending-plans-have-34bn-black-hole.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/04/113471/labour-tory-spending-plans-have-34bn-black-hole.htmlLabour today accused the Conservatives of having a £34bn hole in their spending plans as the Tories outlined their election platform for health and social care.Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:29:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/04/113469/news-round-up-public-spending-brian-moore-abuse-recession.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/04/113469/news-round-up-public-spending-brian-moore-abuse-recession.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Brown insists big cuts are not inevitable; Recession will lead to 'lost generation' of young people; Why I told about my abuse, by England rugby star Brian MooreMon, 04 Jan 2010 10:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113463/decade-of-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113463/decade-of-social-care.htmlSome of the key policy movements that have defined the past 10 years in social work Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:05:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/10/113409/government-tells-pcts-to-work-more-closely-with-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/10/113409/government-tells-pcts-to-work-more-closely-with-social-care.htmlHealth services will become much more involved in social care, under plans announced by the Department of Health today. Picture: Rex FeaturesThu, 10 Dec 2009 12:54:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113404/plans-to-extend-direct-payments-to-disabled-adults.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113404/plans-to-extend-direct-payments-to-disabled-adults.htmlThe government has unveiled plans to extend direct payments to disabled adults, providing them with more choice and control over the state funding and services they receive.Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:56:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113396/news-round-up-haringey-social-services-whitehall-cuts-oneplace.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113396/news-round-up-haringey-social-services-whitehall-cuts-oneplace.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Haringey social services still 'poor', says Ofsted a year after Baby P; Chancellor warns Whitehall of ‘real cuts’; Councils named and shamed by online audit of public services from bins to jails; Prison ministers accused over action on heroin; Darling is forced to delay pension boost.Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:09:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/07/113374/government-launches-10-year-mental-health-strategy.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/07/113374/government-launches-10-year-mental-health-strategy.htmlA 10-year mental health strategy centring on depression has been launched by the government today. Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:33:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/04/113366/adasss-owen-attacks-cqc-over-treatment-of-eight-councils.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/04/113366/adasss-owen-attacks-cqc-over-treatment-of-eight-councils.htmlThe Association of Directors of Adult Social Services' president has lambasted the Care Quality Commission over its treatment of the eight councils rated 'adequate' in this year's annual performance assessment. Jenny Owen said most of the eight did not know that they were going to be categorised as "priority for improvement" following yesterday's assessment until Owen informed them earlier this week. Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/04/113363/carers-rights-day-third-of-carers-put-in-50-hours-a-week.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/04/113363/carers-rights-day-third-of-carers-put-in-50-hours-a-week.htmlAlmost one in three carers are caring for a loved-one for over 50 hours a week while 9% had given up work and 7% reduced their hours, a survey has found.Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113362/edinburgh-care-contracts-suspended-pending-inquiry.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113362/edinburgh-care-contracts-suspended-pending-inquiry.htmlEdinburgh Council's controversial retendering of its adult care services will be shelved pending an independent investigation of the process, the authority has announced.Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113333/cqc-ratings-reactions-from-the-sector.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113333/cqc-ratings-reactions-from-the-sector.htmlThe Care Quality Commission published its annual performance assessment of local authority adult social care today, along with a report looking at how care providers are doing against CQC's quality ratings system and the national minimum standards. Here are some of the reactions from sector bodies.Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:23:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113354/eight-councils-face-cqc-scrutiny-after-adequate-rating.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113354/eight-councils-face-cqc-scrutiny-after-adequate-rating.htmlEight councils will face added scrutiny from the Care Quality Commission over the coming year after receiving an adequate rating in this year's annual performance assessment.Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:23:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113351/ehrc-to-probe-agencies-on-handling-of-disability-harassment.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113351/ehrc-to-probe-agencies-on-handling-of-disability-harassment.htmlPublic authorities in England and Wales will face an inquiry into their handling of disability-related harassment by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, the watchdog announced today.Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:48:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113347/southwark-lambasts-cqc-ratings-after-downgrade.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113347/southwark-lambasts-cqc-ratings-after-downgrade.htmlSouthwark Council has demanded an urgent parliamentary review of the Care Quality Commission after the regulator downgraded the London borough from 'excellent' to 'adequate' in this year's annual performance assessment.Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:18:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113342/cqc-councils-improve-for-seventh-year-running-in-adult-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113342/cqc-councils-improve-for-seventh-year-running-in-adult-care.htmlCouncils improved their overall performance in adult social care for the seventh successive year in 2008-9 despite facing a tougher assessment process, the Care Quality Commission (chief executive Cynthia Bower, pictured) said today.Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:50:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113343/news-round-up-care-ratings-hate-crime-probe-poverty-up-child-protection-row.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113343/news-round-up-care-ratings-hate-crime-probe-poverty-up-child-protection-row.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Nearly 4,000 adult social services criticised over level of care provided; Boy, two, is snatched by social workers after refusing doctor's advice to feed him junk food; Action on disability hate crimesThu, 03 Dec 2009 08:25:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113341/care-provider-ratings-on-the-up-but-cqc-warns-poorer-services.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113341/care-provider-ratings-on-the-up-but-cqc-warns-poorer-services.htmlThe quality of adult care providers across England improved from 2008-9 however the Care Quality Commission has warned under-performing services to improve urgently.Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/02/113332/news-round-up-shoesmith-trial-care-workers-social-work-taskforce.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/02/113332/news-round-up-shoesmith-trial-care-workers-social-work-taskforce.htmlBaby P emails: judge demands explanation from Ofsted Newly disclosed court documents suggest Ofsted inspectors who wrote a damning report on Haringey children's services were ordered to delete emails relating to Baby Peter and the council, a high court judge disclosed today. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:22:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/02/113310/taskforce-calls-for-media-drive-to-boost-image-of-social-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/02/113310/taskforce-calls-for-media-drive-to-boost-image-of-social-work.htmlThe Social Work Task Force has called on the sector to launch media campaigns to improve public understanding and highlight the importance of the social work role. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:10:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/02/113330/welsh-social-services-directors-told-to-boost-joint-working.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/02/113330/welsh-social-services-directors-told-to-boost-joint-working.htmlWelsh social services directors have been challenged to improve collaboration both between councils and with health partners by Welsh deputy minister for social services Gwenda Thomas.Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:59:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113307/ministers-back-taskforce-plan-to-overhaul-social-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113307/ministers-back-taskforce-plan-to-overhaul-social-work.htmlSocial workers will gain a stronger collective voice through the first ever national college for the profession, after the government accepted all of the recommendations in a 10-year reform programme proposed by the Social Work Task Force today.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:20:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113309/adcs-and-adass-social-work-task-force-plan-must-be-resourced.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113309/adcs-and-adass-social-work-task-force-plan-must-be-resourced.htmlFunding the Social Work Task Force's reforms will not be possible from current budgets the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) have warned.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:50:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113303/right-to-fair-trial-undermined-for-disabled-and-child-defendants.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113303/right-to-fair-trial-undermined-for-disabled-and-child-defendants.htmlThe treatment of child defendants and adult suspects with learning disabilities in court is in breach of their human rights according to a report released today by the Prison Reform Trust.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:39:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113315/social-work-task-force-career-progression-and-development.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113315/social-work-task-force-career-progression-and-development.htmlBackground to the Social Work Task Force's recommendations on continuing professional development.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:37:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113318/social-work-task-force-initial-training.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113318/social-work-task-force-initial-training.htmlBackground to the Social Work Task Force's recommendations on initial training.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:35:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113317/social-work-task-force-employer-support-for-practitioners.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113317/social-work-task-force-employer-support-for-practitioners.htmlBackground to the Social Work Task Force's recommendations on employer support for social workers, supervision and workload management.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:34:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113311/social-work-task-force-pay.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113311/social-work-task-force-pay.htmlBackground to the Social Work Task Force's recommendations on pay.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113312/social-work-task-force-past-reviews-of-the-profession.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113312/social-work-task-force-past-reviews-of-the-profession.htmlThe social work profession has been subject to many wide-ranging reviews over the past 40 years but, after landing on ministers' desks, they do not always have the impact on policy intended by the reports' authors. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:31:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113308/social-work-task-force-how-would-a-licence-to-practise-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113308/social-work-task-force-how-would-a-licence-to-practise-work.htmlBackground to the Social Work Task Force's to require social workers to obtain a licence to practise, drawing on experience from the medical profession.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:29:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113313/social-work-task-force-workforce-planning.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113313/social-work-task-force-workforce-planning.htmlBackground to the Social Work Task Force's recommendations on workforce planning.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113314/social-work-task-force-national-college-of-social-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113314/social-work-task-force-national-college-of-social-work.htmlBackground on Social Work Task Force's proposal to create a national college of social work.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:26:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113319/social-work-task-force-timeline.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/01/113319/social-work-task-force-timeline.htmlTimeline of key events leading up to the final report of the Social Work Task Force.Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:24:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/30/113296/scope-urges-national-audit-of-adults-with-communication-needs.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/30/113296/scope-urges-national-audit-of-adults-with-communication-needs.htmlDisabilty charity Scope has called for a national audit of adults with communication needs, as part of moves to tackle significant gaps in services. The...Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:48:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/26/113255/free-home-care-plan-to-exclude-some-with-critical-needs.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/26/113255/free-home-care-plan-to-exclude-some-with-critical-needs.htmlNot everyone with critical care needs would receive free personal care at home under the government's Personal Care at Home Bill, published today. (Picture from Alamy)Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:26:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113254/dh-denies-dementia-research-at-risk-from-free-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113254/dh-denies-dementia-research-at-risk-from-free-care.htmlThe Department of Health has denied claims that cancer and dementia research will be at risk because of its commitment to provide free personal care at home for people with high needs.Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:48:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113250/free-personal-care-bill-published-today.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113250/free-personal-care-bill-published-today.htmlLegislation to introduce free personal care at home for people with critical needs will be published at 12.30pm today.Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:09:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113249/large-fall-in-youth-crime-in-yorkshire-and-humberside.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113249/large-fall-in-youth-crime-in-yorkshire-and-humberside.htmlComplaints to police about youth crime and antisocial behaviour across Yorkshire and Humberside have fallen by up to 27% over the last year, following the...Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113246/news-round-up-care-bill-child-death-probe-domestic-violence.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113246/news-round-up-care-bill-child-death-probe-domestic-violence.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Cancer research at risk in scramble for care funds; Domestic violence victims need targeted support; Fuel bills blamed for 50% rise in deaths; MPs back calls to scrap short prison terms for young adultsWed, 25 Nov 2009 10:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113245/experts-social-care-increasingly-important-for-people-with-hiv.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113245/experts-social-care-increasingly-important-for-people-with-hiv.htmlSocial care is becoming increasingly important for people with HIV, but there are concerns about workforce standards and the future funding of services, government advisers said yesterday.Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113244/adult-protection-dh-still-considering-legislation.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/25/113244/adult-protection-dh-still-considering-legislation.htmlThe Department of Health has sought to reassure adult protection campaigners that it is taking seriously the case for legislation on safeguarding vulnerable adults.Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:02:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/23/113224/mencap-learning-disabled-athletes-need-more-cash-to-compete-in-2012.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/23/113224/mencap-learning-disabled-athletes-need-more-cash-to-compete-in-2012.htmlMencap has raised concerns over whether learning disabled athletes will be able to compete at the 2012 Paralympics because of a lack of funding for training. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:10:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/23/113220/paralympics-ban-on-learning-disabled-athletes-lifted.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/23/113220/paralympics-ban-on-learning-disabled-athletes-lifted.htmlLearning disabled athletes will be able to compete at the Paralympics in London in 2012 after the International Paralympic Committee lifted a ban on their participation.Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/20/113218/fears-over-training-cuts-for-older-and-learning-disabled-people.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/20/113218/fears-over-training-cuts-for-older-and-learning-disabled-people.htmlFears have been raised that people with learning disabilities and older people will lose out on education and training after the government announced cuts to funding for courses not leading to qualifications.Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:25:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/20/113212/dpp-assisted-suicide-policy-no-threat-to-disabled-people.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/20/113212/dpp-assisted-suicide-policy-no-threat-to-disabled-people.htmlDirector of public prosecutions Keir Starmer has defended his interim policy on prosecutions for assisted suicide against charges it would put vulnerable people, including the disabled, at risk.Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113198/lib-dems-dismiss-gordon-browns-free-personal-care-proposals.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113198/lib-dems-dismiss-gordon-browns-free-personal-care-proposals.htmlThe Liberal Democrats have poured scorn on the government's plans to introduce free personal care at home for those most in need, outlined in the Queen's Speech yesterday.Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:54:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113195/tories-launch-campaign-to-protect-disability-benefits.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113195/tories-launch-campaign-to-protect-disability-benefits.htmlThe Conservative Party today launched a campaign against government plans to use disability benefits for pensioners to fund increases in adult social care funding.Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:14:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113193/news-round-up-free-care-swine-flu-youth-unemployment.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113193/news-round-up-free-care-swine-flu-youth-unemployment.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Gordon Brown's bid to defuse youth unemployment timebomb; Swine flu surge among UK children may lead to intensive care bed shortage; Labour peers savage Brown's free care planThu, 19 Nov 2009 08:18:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113194/free-care-swine-flu-youth-unemployment-social-enterprise.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/19/113194/free-care-swine-flu-youth-unemployment-social-enterprise.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include:- Gordon Brown's bid to defuse youth unemployment timebomb; Swine flu surge among UK children may lead to intensive care bed shortage; Labour peers savage Brown's free care planThu, 19 Nov 2009 08:18:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/17/113179/princess-royal-trust-urges-cash-credits-for-carers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/17/113179/princess-royal-trust-urges-cash-credits-for-carers.htmlCarers should receive credits based on the amount of care they provide to help sustain them in their role, according to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/16/113159/sector-responds-to-adult-social-care-green-paper.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/16/113159/sector-responds-to-adult-social-care-green-paper.htmlSector bodies today issued their response to the government's green paper on the future funding of adult social care as the consultation ended today.Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:59:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/16/113168/queens-speech-to-include-free-care-at-home-legislation.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/16/113168/queens-speech-to-include-free-care-at-home-legislation.htmlThe government will announce legislation to introduce free personal care at home for people in England with critical care needs in this Wednesday's Queen's Speech, it has been reported.Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:08:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/12/113143/differentiated-services-for-disabled-children.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/12/113143/differentiated-services-for-disabled-children.htmlThe Centre for Excellence and Outcomes presents the latest guidance on the importance of 'differentiated' services for disabled childrenThu, 12 Nov 2009 15:55:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/11/113122/edinburgh-plan-to-switch-providers-angers-service-users.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/11/113122/edinburgh-plan-to-switch-providers-angers-service-users.htmlDisabled people in Edinburgh are to stage a protest today over the council's plans to change their service providers without giving them immediate access...Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:20:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/10/113117/perceived-age-and-disability-discrimination-rises-across-eu.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/10/113117/perceived-age-and-disability-discrimination-rises-across-eu.htmlPerceived levels of age and disability discrimination have risen sharply in the past year across Europe, a European Commission survey has revealed.Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:17:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/06/113092/personalisation-pioneer-brokers-not-the-answer-for-ib-users.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/06/113092/personalisation-pioneer-brokers-not-the-answer-for-ib-users.html Brokers1 (web story) A pioneer of personalisation has issued a strong critique of the idea that individual budget users require a new profession of...Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:37:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/04/113057/leonard-cheshire-disabled-people-denied-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/04/113057/leonard-cheshire-disabled-people-denied-social-care.htmlDisabled people are being denied the social care services they need due to poverty, charges and tightening eligibility criteria, Leonard Cheshire Disability has said.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:06:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/03/113055/mps-reject-return-to-ring-fencing-for-supporting-people.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/03/113055/mps-reject-return-to-ring-fencing-for-supporting-people.htmlMPs today rejected calls to reinstate the ring fence for Supporting People but warned action must be taken to protect funding for vulnerable people receiving housing-related support.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:39:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/30/113018/intouch-helps-people-with-learning-disabilities-organise-to-combat-hate-crime.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/30/113018/intouch-helps-people-with-learning-disabilities-organise-to-combat-hate-crime.htmlMark Drinkwater attends a conference run by service users that offers hope in the bleak battle against disabililty hate crime Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:22:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/30/113015/person-centred-planning-for-young-people-with-autism.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/30/113015/person-centred-planning-for-young-people-with-autism.htmlMolly Garboden reports on how person-centred planning can be adapted to benefit people with autism Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:43:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/29/113001/disabled-people-denied-equipment-by-social-services.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/29/113001/disabled-people-denied-equipment-by-social-services.htmlSocial workers are failing to fulfil their duties towards disabled people by referring them to the Social Fund for adaptations and equipment they are entitled to, according to the social fund commissioner’s annual report.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:39:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/22/112952/independent-living-for-learning-disabled-people-with-visual-impairments.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/22/112952/independent-living-for-learning-disabled-people-with-visual-impairments.htmlPeople with learning disabilities who are visually impaired have unique needs as they move towards independent living. Vern Pitt reports on a project that supports this transition Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:43:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/22/112940/ombudsman-raps-bury-over-disabled-childrens-accommodation.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/22/112940/ombudsman-raps-bury-over-disabled-childrens-accommodation.htmlTwo seriously disabled children spent three years in unsuitable accommodation as a result of failures by Bury Council, a local government ombudsman found today.Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:31:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/22/112938/news-digest-nhs-bans-ageism.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/22/112938/news-digest-nhs-bans-ageism.htmlAgeism in the NHS, which turns elderly patients into second-class citizens, is to be outlawed.Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/19/112906/dh-tells-adult-care-directors-to-get-ready-for-swine-flu-vaccine.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/19/112906/dh-tells-adult-care-directors-to-get-ready-for-swine-flu-vaccine.htmlThe Department of Health has written to adult social care directors urging them to finalise plans to vaccinate frontline social care staff against swine flu, with the inoculation programme due to begin this month.Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:33:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/16/112885/downs-syndrome-and-dementia.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/16/112885/downs-syndrome-and-dementia.htmlThe number of people with Down's syndrome developing dementia is rising as life expectancy increases. Vern Pitt visits one of the UK's first homes to meet the needs of this group Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/14/112863/news-round-up-tesco-boss-criticises-uk-education-system.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/14/112863/news-round-up-tesco-boss-criticises-uk-education-system.htmlOther headlines in today's papers include:- Patients can post online comments about GP practice; Just one in 20 sickness benefit applicants 'permanently unable to work'; Cot death linked to shared bedsWed, 14 Oct 2009 10:43:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/14/112865/tesco-boss-criticises-uk-education-system.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/14/112865/tesco-boss-criticises-uk-education-system.htmlOther headlines in today's papers include:- Patients can post online comments about GP practice; Just one in 20 sickness benefit applicants 'permanently unable to work'; Cot death linked to shared bedsWed, 14 Oct 2009 10:21:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/07/112763/mencap-wants-guaranteed-support-for-lower-need-users.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/07/112763/mencap-wants-guaranteed-support-for-lower-need-users.htmlMencap has called for all English councils to provide a minimum level of help to people needing lower levels of care and support.Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:59:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/05/112779/disability-groups-concerned-about-tory-benefit-plans.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/05/112779/disability-groups-concerned-about-tory-benefit-plans.htmlDisability groups have expressed concerns that Conservative plans to reform the welfare system will lead to greater hardship for many claimants.Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:13:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/02/112767/welfare-rights-keep-claimants-up-to-date-with-changes.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/02/112767/welfare-rights-keep-claimants-up-to-date-with-changes.htmlMake sure claimants know about the latest benefits because the Department for Work and Pensions can be rather coy about publicising them, to the detriment of many, writes Gary Vaux Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:45:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/02/112759/risk-factor-helping-a-man-with-learning-disabilities-who-cross-dresses.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/02/112759/risk-factor-helping-a-man-with-learning-disabilities-who-cross-dresses.html CASE NOTES Practitioner Rhys Bradley, social worker. Field Learning disabilities Location South Wales. Client Roger* is a 45-year-old man with learning disabilities. Case history Roger has always lived at home with his parents. But, as his parents aged they found it difficult to care for him. They approached the local authority for support, who provided a place at a day centre and a study skills course. Dilemma Roger has recently started wearing women's clothing at the day centre and in the local town. Should Roger be supported in this expression of this identity or should he be encouraged to dress less noticeably? Risk factor Roger is becoming alienated from his peers at the day centre by cross-dressing. He is also being targeted by local youths. If he continues to wear women's clothing he risks being victimised. Outcome In spite of initial reluctance from his parents, a compromise is reached with Roger where he is permitted to wear women's clothing in the safe...Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/02/112757/lifestyle-review-beautiful-octopus-club.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/02/112757/lifestyle-review-beautiful-octopus-club.htmlMark Drinkwater looks ahead to a clubnight for people with learning disabilities as the Royal Festival Hall plays host Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:56:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/01/112748/browns-personal-care-pledge-to-apply-to-adults-under-65.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/01/112748/browns-personal-care-pledge-to-apply-to-adults-under-65.htmlYounger disabled adults would benefit from the government's pledge to introduce free personal care at home for people with critical care needs, the Department of Health has confirmed.Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:44:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/01/112733/rnid-finds-barriers-to-benefit-claims-for-deaf-people.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/10/01/112733/rnid-finds-barriers-to-benefit-claims-for-deaf-people.htmlMany deaf people are being refused benefits to which they are entitled because the system is not geared to their needs, an RNID survey of 1315 people has found.Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:33:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/29/112705/jailed-social-worker-struck-off-after-admitting-25000-fraud.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/29/112705/jailed-social-worker-struck-off-after-admitting-25000-fraud.htmlA social worker who defrauded a local authority of £25,000 to pay for a phantom carer for her disabled husband over two and a half years has been struck off.Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:44:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/25/112695/book-review-1-october-2009.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/25/112695/book-review-1-october-2009.htmlDigby Tantam has given us another scholarly treat; a book that eloquently describes the social world we have created, how non-verbal communication shapes normal neuro-typical behaviour and the ­difficulties that people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) have in gaining entrance to this world, writes Jenny Ravenhill.Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:58:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/25/112681/radar-disabled-have-less-access-to-career-boosters.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/25/112681/radar-disabled-have-less-access-to-career-boosters.htmlMentoring and senior management support are key to reaching senior job roles, however disabled people are far less likely to receive this than others, a survey by disability network Radar has found.Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/25/112694/book-review-1-october-2009.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/25/112694/book-review-1-october-2009.html Mental Capacity Act 2005: Implications for people with learning disabilities Elaine Hardie and Liz Brooks, BILD Publications ISBN 9781905218066 This new guide covers the topics its title might lead one to expect, and it includes a useful chapter on communication and case studies that set the Mental Capacity Act in a learning disabilities context, writes David Hewitt. It is aimed at those who work with people with a learning disability, and at their family, carers or friends. They should, of course, have access to clear, practical guidance on the act, but one wonders whether this is in any way superior to what already exists. The Office of the Public Guardian, for example, has published booklets for each of this book's target groups, and they are available free. This raises a more general point: what is the value of books such as this when a clear - and legally binding - code of practice also exists? What those books gain by their brevity they too often lose by it as...Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:44:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/23/112666/fiona-pilkington-bullies-still-causing-problems.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/23/112666/fiona-pilkington-bullies-still-causing-problems.htmlOther headlines in today's papers include:- Study finds no evidence of autism surge in children; British paedophiles escape justice; Families may face assisted suicide chargesWed, 23 Sep 2009 10:37:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/23/112664/news-round-up-fiona-pilkington-bullies-still-causing-problems.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/23/112664/news-round-up-fiona-pilkington-bullies-still-causing-problems.htmlOther headlines in today's papers include:- Study finds no evidence of autism surge in children; British paedophiles escape justice; Families may face assisted suicide chargesWed, 23 Sep 2009 10:36:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/21/112647/dementia-cases-to-double-in-next-20-years.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/21/112647/dementia-cases-to-double-in-next-20-years.htmlOther headlines in today's paper include: - Nick Clegg tries to talk his way out of trouble after call for ‘savage’ cuts; Two three-year-old boys investigated for vandalism become youngest criminal suspects in British historyMon, 21 Sep 2009 12:18:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/21/112643/news-round-up-dementia-cases-to-double-in-next-20-years.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/21/112643/news-round-up-dementia-cases-to-double-in-next-20-years.htmlOther headlines in today's paper include: - Nick Clegg tries to talk his way out of trouble after call for ‘savage’ cuts; Two three-year-old boys investigated for vandalism become youngest criminal suspects in British historyMon, 21 Sep 2009 12:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112616/dh-official-says-far-reaching-reform-necessary-on-adult-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112616/dh-official-says-far-reaching-reform-necessary-on-adult-care.htmlThe recent adult social care green paper needs to be implemented in full to ensure it is effective, members of the London Assembly were warned this week. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:19:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/15/112590/joint-working-campaign-launched-to-combat-exclusion.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/15/112590/joint-working-campaign-launched-to-combat-exclusion.htmlSocial workers and other public sector professionals are being urged to make use of a new good practice toolkit on working together to help socially excluded adults.Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:51:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/15/112589/voice-uk-to-use-hate-crime-funds-to-extend-helpline.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/15/112589/voice-uk-to-use-hate-crime-funds-to-extend-helpline.htmlVoice UK, the charity that supports learning disabled crime or abuse victims, will extend the opening hours of its helpline after receiving £50,000 as part of government plans to tackle hate crime.Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:52:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/15/112566/government-issues-proposals-to-tackle-disability-hate-crime.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/15/112566/government-issues-proposals-to-tackle-disability-hate-crime.htmlThe government aims to tackle hate crimes against disabled people and other groups of vulnerable people more vigorously with a range of new laws and policy actions set out in its Hate Crime Action Plan, published yesterday.Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/09/112531/pcts-given-guidance-on-delivering-for-disabled-children.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/09/112531/pcts-given-guidance-on-delivering-for-disabled-children.htmlCampaign group Every Disabled Child Matters has given its backing to a new guide for primary care trusts in England on improving NHS provision for disabled children.Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:04:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/07/112516/ncvo-sounds-alarm-over-cuts-in-charities-state-funding.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/07/112516/ncvo-sounds-alarm-over-cuts-in-charities-state-funding.htmlLooming government funding cuts could spell disaster for vital local services provided by the voluntary sector, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has warned.Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/25/112429/fostering-information-gap-puts-families-at-risk.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/25/112429/fostering-information-gap-puts-families-at-risk.htmlCouncils are still not giving foster carers the information they need to care safely despite two court rulings, finds Gordon Carson Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/24/112413/muscular-dystrophy-patients-failed-by-nhs-find-mps.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/24/112413/muscular-dystrophy-patients-failed-by-nhs-find-mps.htmlMPs and peers have accused the NHS of failing people with muscular dystrophy after an inquiry uncovered a postcode lottery in life expectancy and access to provision, and uncertain funding for services.Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/19/112392/risk-factor-using-animals-to-help-a-young-person-with-challenging-behaviour.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/19/112392/risk-factor-using-animals-to-help-a-young-person-with-challenging-behaviour.htmlYoung offender case study and risksWed, 19 Aug 2009 10:47:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/14/112327/contact-a-family-starts-facebook-campaign-for-benefit-reform.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/14/112327/contact-a-family-starts-facebook-campaign-for-benefit-reform.htmlContact a Family is calling for changes to benefits rules that can stop Carers Allowance payments to parents whose disabled children are admitted to hospital for long periods.Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:02:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/13/112360/mencap-praises-valuing-people-now-progress.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/13/112360/mencap-praises-valuing-people-now-progress.htmlMencap says it is "cautiously optimistic" about progress on the government's "ambitious" delivery plan for Valuing People Now, although several of the Department of Health's initial measures have been delayed.Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:26:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/10/112326/rnib-steps-up-campaign-to-protect-attendance-allowance.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/10/112326/rnib-steps-up-campaign-to-protect-attendance-allowance.htmlThe RNIB is calling on visually impaired people to tell ministers about the importance of attendance allowance (AA) to them, as part of a campaign against government plans to effectively scrap the benefit.Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:25:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/27/112192/family-could-sue-over-learning-disabilities-hospital-death.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/27/112192/family-could-sue-over-learning-disabilities-hospital-death.htmlThe family of a 20 year-old man with severe learning disabilities who died when his head became trapped in the bars of his hospital bed may sue the primary care trust concerned, Community Care has learned. Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:51:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/24/112174/muscular-dystrophy-campaign-probes-university-support-for-disabled.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/24/112174/muscular-dystrophy-campaign-probes-university-support-for-disabled.htmlYoung people from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign are to investigate whether UK universities are “restricting the futures” of disabled people by failing to provide sufficient support and proper facilities.Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:20:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/21/112153/adult-green-paper-disability-charities-unhappy-over-exclusion.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/21/112153/adult-green-paper-disability-charities-unhappy-over-exclusion.htmlLeonard Cheshire and Mencap bemoan lack of funding for young adults Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:46:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/17/112138/direct-payment-success-comes-under-threat.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/17/112138/direct-payment-success-comes-under-threat.htmlSocial workers and a service user offer advice on a case involving a young woman with profound learning and physical disabilities Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:20:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/16/112120/treat-me-right-improves-health-care-for-people-with-learning-disabilities.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/16/112120/treat-me-right-improves-health-care-for-people-with-learning-disabilities.htmlA project in west London is aiming to improve NHS care of people with learning disabilities by raising awareness of vital issues among hospital professionals, writes Amy Taylor Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:40:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/07/112035/carers-groups-urge-pcts-to-spend-cash-on-short-breaks.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/07/112035/carers-groups-urge-pcts-to-spend-cash-on-short-breaks.htmlCarers groups urge PCTs to spend cash on short breaks Carers UK chief says dedicated money is not being spent on short-breaks daniel.lombard@rbi.co.uk Carers...Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/02/111976/wales-to-pioneer-national-standards-for-community-equipment.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/02/111976/wales-to-pioneer-national-standards-for-community-equipment.htmlWales is set to become the first country in the UK to introduce national minimum standards for the provision of community equipment service.Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:01:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/30/111973/councils-must-refocus-learning-disability-money-on-job-support.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/30/111973/councils-must-refocus-learning-disability-money-on-job-support.htmlThe costs of the government's employment strategy for people with learning disabilities can be met from existing funds, the government's national director for learning disabilities has said.Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/18/111874/how-individual-budgets-will-ease-transition-for-young-disabled-people.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/18/111874/how-individual-budgets-will-ease-transition-for-young-disabled-people.htmlIndividual budgets could transform young disabled people's transition to adults' services, but if only if they are implemented with proper support. Corin Williams reports Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/16/111853/radar-probes-barriers-to-career-success-for-disabled.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/16/111853/radar-probes-barriers-to-career-success-for-disabled.htmlDisability network Radar has launched research into the barriers disabled people face in climbing the career ladder and what it takes to enable them to reach senior roles.Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:35:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/10/111782/scope-public-think-disability-prejudice-is-widespread.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/10/111782/scope-public-think-disability-prejudice-is-widespread.htmlResearch by disability charity Scope has revealed that over half of Britons think that most people view disabled people as inferior. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:57:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111711/apprenticeships-bill-may-exclude-disabled-people.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111711/apprenticeships-bill-may-exclude-disabled-people.htmlDisabled young people may be excluded from apprenticeships because of entry requirements specified in current legislation, peers warned yesterday.Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:18:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111722/ed-balls-pcts-will-be-held-to-account-over-short-breaks.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111722/ed-balls-pcts-will-be-held-to-account-over-short-breaks.htmlPrimary care trusts will be held to account over their spending on short breaks for disabled children, children’s secretary Ed Balls said today.Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:10:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111710/nhs-north-east-essex-suspends-learning-disabilities-staff.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111710/nhs-north-east-essex-suspends-learning-disabilities-staff.htmlNHS North East Essex has suspended a number of staff from its learning disabilities team following concerns from other employees.Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:04:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111704/dh-regulations-do-not-breach-disability-discrimination-law.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/03/111704/dh-regulations-do-not-breach-disability-discrimination-law.htmlThe Department of Health has said regulatory requirements for care leaders to be "physically and mentally fit" to perform their roles do not discriminate against disabled people.Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:45:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/26/111641/families-with-disabled-children-face-service-gap.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/26/111641/families-with-disabled-children-face-service-gap.htmlScope has warned of the need to support “unempowered” families with disabled children before they drop off the radar of services.Tue, 26 May 2009 14:12:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/20/111568/good-practice-together-helps-prisoners-with-mental-health-needs.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/20/111568/good-practice-together-helps-prisoners-with-mental-health-needs.htmlThe recent Bradley report looked at how people with mental health problems and learning disabilities can be diverted from prison. Louise Tickle looks at one service featured in the review Wed, 20 May 2009 11:46:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/19/111596/my-learning-disability-will-open-doors-not-close-them-says-tsar-watkin.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/19/111596/my-learning-disability-will-open-doors-not-close-them-says-tsar-watkin.htmlSpecial Olympian seeks to inspire others to succeed through government roleTue, 19 May 2009 11:46:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/13/111554/learning-disabilities-route-into-employment-spelt-out.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/13/111554/learning-disabilities-route-into-employment-spelt-out.html Older and retired people could be recruited to prepare people with learning disabilities to enter jobs, under a forthcoming employment strategy expected next month. Anne Williams, national co-director for learning disabilities said the strategy would aim to get more people with learning disabilities into work, and widen the range of support available. More ambition needed She told Community Care LIVE that the existing workforce supporting people into employment "was not ambitious enough" and that a new approach was needed. "We must ask whether we have the most appropriate workforce for job coaching and look at recruiting different providers," she said. Williams said the strategy would be "radical" and aim at a "culture change" in services including schools between 2009 and 2025. Richard Lawrence, spokesperson and research assistant at Mencap, told delegates that he had not received good advice at his Jobcentre after he left school, ending up with no benefits and nothing to...Wed, 13 May 2009 15:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/11/111506/advice-on-working-with-a-woman-with-learning-disabilities-who-offends.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/11/111506/advice-on-working-with-a-woman-with-learning-disabilities-who-offends.htmlSocial workers and a service user offer advice on a case involving a mother with learning disabilities who is descending into a life of crime Mon, 11 May 2009 13:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111320/good-practice-creative-ways-to-promote-personalisation.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111320/good-practice-creative-ways-to-promote-personalisation.htmlThere is little point in expanding personalisation if service users - and the practitioners supposed to assist them - don't know enough about it or where...Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111276/lifestyle-review-inclusive-dance-company-breaks-new-ground.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111276/lifestyle-review-inclusive-dance-company-breaks-new-ground.htmlCandoco dance troupe has been amazing audiences with its mix of able-bodied and disabled dancers, writes Mark Drinkwater Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/06/111211/valuing-people-now-for-people-with-learning-disabilities.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/06/111211/valuing-people-now-for-people-with-learning-disabilities.htmlPatients with learning disabilities have died because health and social care professionals shirked their legal responsibilities, says Mencap chief executive Mark Goldring Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:08:00 GMT