Social work news

Sir Andrew McFarlane speaks out as review says austerity makes it hard for services to cope in England and WalesThe family justice system is in crisis fuelled by an untenable workload created by a glut of applications to take vulnerable children into care the senior judge about to become the next head of the family courts has said Sir Andrew McFarlane who takes over as president of the family division of the high court of...

New integrated care models hampered by poor communication and an 'acronym spaghetti' of terms report findsThe Commons health and social care committee has -- over many years and under successive chairs -- been concerned by the fragmentation and poor coordination of care and health services Its latest report adds to this scrutiny focusing on the approaches to developing new integrated ways of planning and delivering health and care services Sustainability and transformation partnerships STPs integrated...

Some councils in England 'cannot go on' without long-term funding to underpin careSocial care services for vulnerable adults are on the verge of collapse in some areas of England despite the provision of extra government funding senior council officials have warned The fragile state of many council social care budgets -- coupled with growing demand for services increasing NHS pressure and spiralling staff costs -- is highlighted in research by the Association of Directors of...

Children's commissioner says nearly half of budget is spent on children in care systemIncreasing numbers of children will fall through the gaps into the care system risking school exclusion or falling prey to gang violence because of cuts to early years and youth services the children's commissioner for England has warned Anne Longfield said cuts of to Sure Start and other preventative services since had effectively removed vital safety nets for at-risk youngsters and families...