Monthly Archives: February 2012

Future of Norfolk’s day care services facing an uncertain 12 months

February 10, 2012   Carers, Norfolk, Older care, ukcuts

A worrying year await for people using day centres, along with their families and carers.

Richard Wheeler Thursday, February 9, 2012
6:15 PM

 

 

Norfolk County Council is expected to vote in favour of the next £3.5m cut from the service, with centre charges increasing, transport arrangements changing and staff levels being cut.

But Monday’s decision will be another attempt to trim the service before tackling the future of each of the council’s 23 centres.

No announcements on these buildings, which provide care and support for 1,700 people, are expected until 2013.

Norfolk’s centres will be grouped into different areas based on location and examined, with no threat of a blanket closure on the horizon yet.

Read More

Challenging times for affordable housing providers in North Devon

February 9, 2012   Carers, ukcuts

New reforms set to hit social housing groups

Thursday, February 09, 2012

North Devon Journal

Joel Cooper

A HUGE raft of Government reforms and a growing waiting list means challenging times for affordable housing providers in North Devon, a housing manager has warned.

  1. ​

    HARD TIMES: Nigel Barnard.

Nigel Barnard, managing director of Tarka Housing in Bideford, says a combination of funding cuts, welfare reforms and the localism bill could have a big knock-on effect for those living in social housing over the next six months.

Tarka Housing was formed in 2007 when it successfully bid to take over Torridge District Council’s housing service.

The firm controls around 1,800 homes in the Torridge district and also boasts an in-house team which carries out ground maintenance, gas servicing, repairs and decoration.

Read More

End the Care Crisis: Lobby 6th March 2012 in Westminster

February 9, 2012   Carers, family

 

Response to Select Committee care report

 

The Care & Support Alliance has responded to a report from the cross-party Health Select Committee, into social care:

I”The Health Select Committee’s report adds weight to growing evidence from the 60 charities of the Care & Support Alliance that social care funding pressures are leading to a diminished quality of life for disabled adults and older people and increased demand for NHS services.

MPs from all parties share our view with that cutting back on care is not only risking the dignity and independence of older and disabled people, but is ultimately robbing Peter to pay Paul – with the NHS picking up the knock on costs of poor quality care provision, namely distressing and avoidable hospital admissions for the most vulnerable members of society. This cross-party report clearly states that current funding levels are ‘not sufficient to maintain adequate levels of services’ and at a time when we need extra funding to meet rapidly growing demand, Directors of Social Services say that social care budgets fell by £1 billion last year.

Read More