Monthly Archives: September 2014

Shake-up in how 5,500 vulnerable people in Norfolk get homecare on cards

September 15, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, Norfolk, Older care, Social care

Sue Whitaker, chairman of Norfolk County Council’s adult social care committee. Picture: Matthew Usher.

Dan Grimmer dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk
Monday, September 15, 2014
4:19 PM

The way up to 5,500 people in Norfolk get homecare could be set for a major shake-up, with council leaders warning the service needs “fundamental revision” as the county’s increasing population piles on further pressure

Proposed changes in how Norfolk County Council provides care to keep vulnerable people in their homes could see the contractors they commission paid according to results.

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What mental health services can learn from Sandwell’s integrated approach

September 15, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, health, mental health

Sandwell in the West Midlands has re-engineered its services to support more people at an earlier stage in their illness, with impressive results

It is good news that the chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, has turned the spotlight on mental health in her latest report. She is right to argue for a big drive on public mental health.

There is already some great practice out there. I would urge Davies to take a trip to Sandwell to find out how and why the area is doing so well on violence reduction and reducing levels of depression.

Earlier this month, I travelled to Sandwell and Dudley to find out for myself. The answer is not rocket science, it is all about relationships. Focusing on building relationships helps people to become more resilient and capable.

Sandwell’s approach to mental health and wellbeing is all about recognising and developing people’s relational assets and never turning people away.

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‘Cuts forcing English councils to limit social care’

September 14, 2014   Carers, Featured Article, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

95-year-old Cyril Gillam no longer gets home help visits

14 September 2014 Last updated at 03:44

Almost 90% of councils in England no longer offer social care to people whose needs are ranked low to moderate, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) has said.

The group is warning cuts are making the care system “unsustainable”.

The government says councils have been given an extra £1.1bn to help protect social care this year.

But charities say hundreds of thousands of people are struggling without help.

When someone applies for social care, their needs are determined as either critical, substantial, moderate or low.

In recent years the number of councils able to help those at the lower end of the scale has gone down as they struggle to balance their budgets.

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