Community care

Public Accounts Committee for Wales highlights lack of evidence of sustainable funding for initiatives set up through Integrated Care Fund

Statement from Committee Chair responds to Wales Audit Office report that finds the Fund is not fulfilling its potential to deliver sustainable integrated services

More than two thirds of carers regularly fund care and support out of their own money

New Carers UK report calls for urgent increase in funding and support for unpaid carers to prevent 'thousands being pushed into poverty'

Welsh Assembly Committee calls for statutory guidance on administration of Blue Badges in Wales

New report finds that current non-binding guidance leads to inconsistencies in application processes and medical assessments

Government urged to introduce a basic entitlement to publicly funded personal care for individuals with substantial and critical levels of need

Lords Committee says government also needs to immediately spend £8 billion to restore social care to acceptable standards

LGA calls on government to publish delayed social care green paper before September parliamentary recess

'Those who rely on vital care and support cannot wait any longer', says Chair of Community Wellbeing Board

60 per cent of carers report that caring causes them feelings of stress

National carers survey also finds that 1 in 10 carers report that caring has caused a lot of financial difficulties in the last 12 months

Second Ombudsman complaint needed after council fails to decide disabled woman’s eligibility for financial support

Somerset County Council had reassessed care needs after first complaint but then failed to decide eligibility for financial support

Blue Badge scheme to be extended to people with ‘hidden disabilities’ from August 2019

New criteria to be introduced alongside review into Blue Badge fraud and ways of reducing misuse

Council found to be at fault in reducing woman's care package by more than half without properly assessing her needs

Ombudsman says that, while he appreciates the pressures council are under, care budgets 'should not be based on financial matters, but on a person’s needs'

Council found at fault for excluding communication support worker from care package review meetings

New Ombudsman decision finds Suffolk County Council failed to apply Care and Support Statutory Guidance

Scottish Government establishes partnership programme to support reform of adult social care

Programme aims to 'ensure that anyone who needs it can get effective, person-centred, sustainable social care support now and in the future'

Government confirms new Carers Innovation Fund to support unpaid carers

£5 million fund will invest in innovative ways of supporting unpaid carers, outside of mainstream health and care services

Charities call for step change in way society supports unpaid carers

Research highlights that financial and practical support is needed to improve wellbeing and keep carers connected to their communities

Social care system 'continues to leave families to face the catastrophic risk of losing all their assets', says IFS Director

Paul Johnson calls for urgent move to social insurance provision and warns that growing spending pressures are likely to lead to tax rises

Disregard of payments in respect of historical child abuse in care in social care financial assessments in Scotland

New statutory instrument issued in Scotland

4 in 10 older people with significant care needs in Scotland wait more than recommended six weeks for social care

New report from Age Scotland also highlights lack of accessible information from local authorities about reasons for delay

Government must 'grasp the nettle' and introduce free personal care for over 65s in England, says IPPR