Competitive tendering of services to non-profit organisations and profit making companies can be very disruptive for staff and service users, especially when involving supported living services for people with learning disabilities. The difficulties people with learning disabilities can face when changing service providers and the concerns that local authorities should address are discussed.
Competitive tendering of services to non-profit organisations and profit making companies can be very disruptive for staff and service users, especially when involving supported living services for people with learning disabilities. The difficulties people with learning disabilities can face when changing service providers and the concerns that local authorities should address are discussed.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, learning disabilities services, service users, social care provision, staff, supported living, tendering, change management;
A research study by the Institute of Public Care, 'Gain without Pain', is reviewed. The study shows how the voluntary sector can offer innovative ways of meeting three challenges facing social care: increasing demand; decreasing funds; and changing expectations. It uses ten case studies, each one showing a different way of offering innovative delivery of services, to promote the benefits of commissioning the voluntary sector to provide services. Practice implications for commissioners, support planners and brokers, and voluntary organisations are provided.
A research study by the Institute of Public Care, 'Gain without Pain', is reviewed. The study shows how the voluntary sector can offer innovative ways of meeting three challenges facing social care: increasing demand; decreasing funds; and changing expectations. It uses ten case studies, each one showing a different way of offering innovative delivery of services, to promote the benefits of commissioning the voluntary sector to provide services. Practice implications for commissioners, support planners and brokers, and voluntary organisations are provided.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, physical disabilities, social care provision, voluntary organisations, voluntary sector, commissioning, disabilities;
The needs of homeless teenagers aged 16 and 17 are often ignored by services. The reasons for this are discussed, including funding shortfalls, and the practical support social care professionals can do to help. Some key questions professionals should ask to find out the type of support they should provide are also listed.
The needs of homeless teenagers aged 16 and 17 are often ignored by services. The reasons for this are discussed, including funding shortfalls, and the practical support social care professionals can do to help. Some key questions professionals should ask to find out the type of support they should provide are also listed.
Subject terms:
homeless people, homelessness, local authorities, social care provision, young people, access to services, children in need;
Many young carers are not using the services available to them. To investigate the reasons for this, the Islington Local Involvement Network (LINk) commissioned research consisting of interviews with eight young carers;, focus groups with local agencies; and interviews with local carers organisations. As well as finding out about the experiences of young carers, and the types of care they provided, the study also looked at why they might be reluctant to approach services. The findings suggested a lack of awareness and disinclination among professionals to apply carer's legislation and confusion regarding the entitlement o of young people to carers' assessments. A short case study outlining the caring experience of one young carer is included.
Many young carers are not using the services available to them. To investigate the reasons for this, the Islington Local Involvement Network (LINk) commissioned research consisting of interviews with eight young carers;, focus groups with local agencies; and interviews with local carers organisations. As well as finding out about the experiences of young carers, and the types of care they provided, the study also looked at why they might be reluctant to approach services. The findings suggested a lack of awareness and disinclination among professionals to apply carer's legislation and confusion regarding the entitlement o of young people to carers' assessments. A short case study outlining the caring experience of one young carer is included.
Subject terms:
service uptake, social care provision, young carers, carers assessment;
While primary care trusts in England now commission health care in prisons, local authorities do not do the same for adult social care. The lack of social care provision in prisons and current unmet need is discussed. A practice example from the Isle of Wight highlights the benefits of providing social care in the prison environment.
While primary care trusts in England now commission health care in prisons, local authorities do not do the same for adult social care. The lack of social care provision in prisons and current unmet need is discussed. A practice example from the Isle of Wight highlights the benefits of providing social care in the prison environment.
Subject terms:
prisoners, prisons, social care provision, social workers;
The findings of a study to explore the impact of the economic slowdown and its effects on adult social care and support services are summarised and reviewed. Data from interviews with staff in four local councils in England were collected. The data was validated by comparing it with views from national organisations and other local authorities. An increase in reports of abuse, a rise in people presenting with debt, mental health, employment and housing problems. Concerns were also raised about the impact of competition, especially in relation to personalisation. However, the exact impact of the economic slowdown was difficult to assess due to other mitigating factors. Practice implications for practitioners, managers and commissioners are listed.
The findings of a study to explore the impact of the economic slowdown and its effects on adult social care and support services are summarised and reviewed. Data from interviews with staff in four local councils in England were collected. The data was validated by comparing it with views from national organisations and other local authorities. An increase in reports of abuse, a rise in people presenting with debt, mental health, employment and housing problems. Concerns were also raised about the impact of competition, especially in relation to personalisation. However, the exact impact of the economic slowdown was difficult to assess due to other mitigating factors. Practice implications for practitioners, managers and commissioners are listed.
Subject terms:
local authorities, social care, social care provision, adult social care, cutbacks, financing;
Little is known about social care's impact on the environment. The article draws on SCIE's Sustainable Social Care Programme to highlight examples of good sustainable practice that councils could use to save money.
Little is known about social care's impact on the environment. The article draws on SCIE's Sustainable Social Care Programme to highlight examples of good sustainable practice that councils could use to save money.
Subject terms:
personalisation, social care provision, sustainable development, environment;
In North East Lincolnshire, former NHS social care services are now being run as a social enterprise business. The Chief executive Lance Gardner talks to the author of his plans and how keeping staff onside is one of his main challenges.
In North East Lincolnshire, former NHS social care services are now being run as a social enterprise business. The Chief executive Lance Gardner talks to the author of his plans and how keeping staff onside is one of his main challenges.
Subject terms:
NHS, organisational structure, social care provision, social enterprises;
Two year pilots in seven local authority areas aim to transfer social workers from local authorities to independent social work practices. These new organisations new organisations, which are likely to be set up as social enterprises, will be run by the social workers themselves. The pilots aim to improve relationships between social workers and service users, and reduce the amount of bureaucracy. This article looks at differing opinions on these independent social work practices.
Two year pilots in seven local authority areas aim to transfer social workers from local authorities to independent social work practices. These new organisations new organisations, which are likely to be set up as social enterprises, will be run by the social workers themselves. The pilots aim to improve relationships between social workers and service users, and reduce the amount of bureaucracy. This article looks at differing opinions on these independent social work practices.
Subject terms:
organisational structure, social work, social care provision, social enterprises, social workers;
The private sector has largely replaced councils services. With more outsourcing planned, the impact of outsourcing on the quality of care is debated. The situation in England, Scotland and Wales is also contrasted to that in Northern Ireland, where public sector services still dominate.
The private sector has largely replaced councils services. With more outsourcing planned, the impact of outsourcing on the quality of care is debated. The situation in England, Scotland and Wales is also contrasted to that in Northern Ireland, where public sector services still dominate.
Subject terms:
private sector, quality assurance, social care provision, voluntary sector;