Health Management and Policy Alert

The government response to the Health and Social Care Committee report on adult social care: funding and workforce

Department of Health and Social Care -
This command paper sets out the government's response to the Health and Social Care Committee's report Social care: funding and workforce, which was originally published in October 2020. The government welcome the recommendations made in this report and are considering them as part of ongoing policy development.

• Report
• Original report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Workforce Capacity Fund for adult social care

Department of Health and Social Care -
This guidance contains information for local authorities and adult social care providers on the £120 million Workforce Capacity Fund during coronavirus (Covid-19). It sets out: the purpose of the fund; detailed examples of measures that this funding can be used to pay for; and information on reporting requirements.

• Guidance
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Two monthly report on the status on the non-devolved provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020: January 2021

Department of Health and Social Care -
The Coronavirus Act 2020 gives the government powers to take the right action to respond effectively to the progress of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, for example by making it easier for people to receive their Statutory Sick Pay. These powers are temporary and designed to be switched on when necessary, and off when no longer needed. The act requires ministers to report every two months on which powers are currently active.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Social care – charging for care and support: local authority circular

Department of Health and Social Care -
This circular contains information for local authorities about the social care charging arrangements for 2021 to 2022. It includes details about: capital limits; personal expenses allowance; minimum income guarantee; and savings credit.

• Circular
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Impact assessment of the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019

Department of Health and Social Care -
This impact ssessment is an updated assessment of the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019. It provides an assessment of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards at present and fully funded, as well as for Liberty Protection Safeguards as set out in the act.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Let’s do this: the promise of fixing social care

Health for Care Coalition -
This report shares the seven key principles for care reform set out by the Health for Care coalition and publishes members views on fixing social care from the perspectives of the user, clinician, voluntary sector and health care leader.

• Report
• NHS Confederation - publications

Engaging men earlier: a guide to service design

Samaritans -
This handbook aims to provide a set of principles upon which wellbeing initiatives for men should be based. It is aimed at anyone commissioning, designing, evaluating or delivering initiatives, services or activities aimed at improving the wellbeing of men.

• Handbook
• Samaritans - publications

Changes to the NHS Pension Scheme regulations

Department of Health and Social Care -
The Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on proposals to change NHS Pension Scheme regulations. The Draft Regulations propose amendments to the regulations that provide the rules for the NHS Pension Schemes and the NHS Injury Benefits Scheme in England and Wales. The closing date for comments is 8 April 2021.

• Consultation
• Proposed changes to the regulations
• Department of Health and Social Care - consultations

The state of children’s mental health services 2020/21

Children's Commissioner -
This report examines the progress that has been made over the past five years as well as looking at the impact the Covid crisis has had on children’s mental health. It finds that while there has been an expansion of children’s mental health services over the past four years, services are still nowhere near meeting the needs of many hundreds of thousands of children.

• Report
• Children's Commissioner - press release

Young people’s mental and emotional health: trajectories and drivers in childhood and adolescence

Education Policy Institute -
Based on data from the Millennium Cohort Study, this report reveals insights into the determinants of young people’s wellbeing, including how it is affected by their relationships, background, and use of social media. The study examines the personal experiences of young people in England, at age eleven, fourteen and seventeen. The research shows that while the wellbeing of all young people declines by the end of their teenage years, there is a strong gender divide within this: girls see far lower levels of wellbeing and self-esteem than boys – driven by a sharp fall of both during mid-adolescence.

• Report
• Education Policy Institute - publications