Health Management and Policy Alert

Care Act easements: guidance for local authorities

Department of Health and Social Care -
The guidance sets out how local authorities can use the new Care Act provisions, created under the Coronavirus Act 2020, to prioritise care and support for those who need it most. The provisions are temporary and should only be used when it is not possible for local authorities to comply with their duties under the Care Act 2014.

• Guidance
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Local authorities

National Audit Office - 

This overview summarises the work of local authorities including what they do, the system of accountability, where they get their funding and spend their money, recent and planned changes, and what to look out for across their main business areas and services.

• Overview
• More detail

Covid-19: tips for housing sector on end of life care

Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN) - 

With the further escalation of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the UK, the lives of residents are at risk and those who are vulnerable may die of their current long-term condition. This briefing set out a number of tips for the housing sector on end of life care and signposts to a selection of useful links and further practical advice.

• Briefing
• More detail

Coronavirus (COVID-19): housing and care in specialist housing

Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN) - 

This briefing sets out at a number of practical things for providers of specialist housing to consider when seeking to reduce the risk of an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Briefing
• Coronavirus Info Hub

 

COVID-19: residential care, supported living and home care guidance

Public Health England - 

Guidance for providers of residential care, supported living and home care, in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak. The guidance sets out: how to maintain delivery of care during an outbreak or widespread transmission of COVID-19; and what to do if care workers or individuals being cared for have symptoms of COVID-19.

• Guidance
• Press release

Social care: charging for care and support

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This circular - LAC(DHSC)(2020)1 - contains information for local authorities about the social care charging arrangements for 2020 to 2021. It includes details about: capital limits; personal expenses allowance; minimum income guarantee; and savings credit.

• Circular
• More detail

Chief social workers’ annual report: 2019 to 2020

Department of Health and Social Care - 

The sixth annual report from the Chief Social Workers for Adults in England reviews progress to improve social work skills and practice and sets out national priorities for the coming year. The report describes: ambitions for the profession including enhancing the leadership role of principal social workers; and proposals for improving safeguarding and reducing health inequalities, particularly for people with learning disabilities.

• Annual report
• More detail

Securing the future of social care funding

Voluntary Organisations Disability Group -
This report sets out the issues facing disability organisations and why it is important that the government puts in place a sustainable funding plan. It calls on the government to not delay reform of the social care sector any longer and for policy makers to work with the sector to ensure community resources are responsive and preventative.

• Report
• Voluntary Organisations Disability Group - news

Adult social care: policy developments under the current government (England)

House of Commons Library - 

This briefing paper provides a summary of the social care measures taken under the three Prime Ministers since the Conservative government was first returned in 2015. In particular, the note considers both the increases in central government funding for social care, and also its approach to reform of social care.

• Briefing
• More detail

Sector pulse check: the impact of the changes to the social care sector in 2019

Hft - 
According to this report, the number of social care providers who say they have been forced to cut support for vulnerable adults has doubled in the last 12 months as a direct result of financial pressures. The report also highlighted that providers are taking action to promote positive mental health within their organisations, and that the sector recognises the benefits of technology.

• Report
• Hft - press release