Latest news with #adultsocialcare
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
New team helps cut Wolverhampton adult social care waiting times
The creation of a new adult social care team has helped to reduce waiting times for people seeking support in Wolverhampton, the council has of Wolverhampton Council recently established the front door team as part of its programme to transform adult social care in the acts as a first point of contact for vulnerable adults who need directing to what support is available, and the authority said it had helped to simplify the process for to the council, it has helped to cut the time it takes for people to get support from months to fewer than five days in most cases. The number of people needing help from social workers has also reduced by half due to the front door team being able to resolve their issues. 'Top priority' The authority's transformation programme, which includes providing more community-based services outside of care homes, came amid rising demand for adult social care in the city, with an increase of 31% over the last five budget for care packages has also increased by £44.6m in that time, with a further £1m approved for 2025 to Paula Brookfield, the council's cabinet member for adults, said adult social care was a "top priority" for people in Wolverhampton."We are determined to ensure adult social care services are the best they can possibly be, but we must also be mindful that the increase in costs which we have seen in recent years is not sustainable in the long term," she said. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Cheshire East Council: Rising adult care costs behind overspend
Soaring demand for adult social care has played a large part in Cheshire East Council (CEC) overspending its budget, the local authority has government has stepped in to grant the council £17.6m in exceptional financial support (EFS) for said it would use the funding arrangement to balance its books for the financial the largest overspend has been in adult social care, the council also said there were pressures in children's services and rising borrowing costs associated with funding pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). EFS allows councils to use a system known as capitalisation, which can allow them to borrow money or treat some day-to-day spending - known as revenue costs - as longer-term capital such, it essentially gives local authorities more flexibility about budget has faced financial difficulties in recent years, with the government recently issuing a formal notification of its year, the council signed off a transformation plan which aimed to save nearly £100m. 'Rising borrowing costs' In a report to councillors, CEC said the £17.6m adult social care overspend was down to rising costs of individual placements.A £3.5m overspend in children's services was attributed to there being more youngsters in care, the use of agency staff, and rising home-to-school transport council said it had come in under budget in a number of areas, chiefly in staffing while there had been an underspend in its highways and transport department, car parking revenues had been lower than services for SEND children are funded through a Dedicated Schools Grant, Cheshire East currently has a deficit in this area, meaning that the borrowing costs to provide them have been forced approved by councillors at a meeting on 3 June, £9.8m of the £17.6m EFS money will be allocated towards meeting the 2024-25 is proposed that £5.3m will be put in an earmarked reserve to cover the costs of CEC's current change programme, while the remaining £2.5m will go into the council's general this year it was announced that CEC was granted £25.3m in EFS for the 2025-26 financial year. See more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC North West on X. For more local politics coverage, BBC Politics North West is on BBC One on Sunday at 10:00am and on BBC iPlayer.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Social care leaders warn of tough times without ‘significant new funding'
The coming months for people needing social care are likely to be 'the most difficult we've seen in recent years' unless significant new funding is announced soon, almost 100 leaders in the sector have warned. Next month's spending review is a 'crucial opportunity' for the Government to show its commitment to the future of adult social care, the leaders said in a statement to the Chancellor. Rachel Reeves will deliver her review, setting out plans for spending and key public sector reforms, on June 11. The call comes just weeks after the formal launch of the Casey Commission, which the Government ordered with an aim of transforming social care. The first phase of the review, led by Baroness Casey, is expected to report next year, although recommendations from the initial probe will be implemented in phases over the course of 10 years. Social care leaders have already raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some reforms to be introduced. The second phase of the commission, setting out longer-term reforms, is due to report by 2028. A statement to Ms Reeves, published on Thursday, has been signed by dozens of sector leaders, including the Local Government Association, which represents councils providing care, as well as Mencap, Carers UK and the Homecare Association. In it, they said: 'Despite the best efforts of councils, care providers, the voluntary sector and the workforce, we all know that adult social care is not operating at its best. ' People who have cause to draw on support know that best of all. Report after report shows the consequences of under-investment over many years – on people, families, communities, businesses and other public services.' Referencing the Casey Commission, they said, 'resolving the long-term requires stability in the short-term and strong foundations from which to take forward meaningful reform'. They said while previous governments have sought savings and efficiencies to help plug immediate gaps, 'the scope for those is now extremely limited and the clear reality is that current funding levels are insufficient to tackle the challenges facing the sector, such as inflation, demography, workforce recruitment and retention, the inability to invest in prevention, and provider instability'. They added: 'Without significant new funding in the spending review, the coming months will likely be the most difficult we've seen in recent years for all parts of the sector and – most important of all – for people who draw on care and support.' Recently published analysis by the Health Foundation think tank suggested a minimum of £3.4 billion will be required to meet the growing need for social care by 2028/29 to avoid a further deterioration in the sector. The think tank also called on the Government to 'signal its commitment' ahead of the upcoming spending review with a 'down payment on the investment needed for reform'.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social care leaders warn of tough times without ‘significant new funding'
The coming months for people needing social care are likely to be 'the most difficult we've seen in recent years' unless significant new funding is announced soon, almost 100 leaders in the sector have warned. Next month's spending review is a 'crucial opportunity' for the Government to show its commitment to the future of adult social care, the leaders said in a statement to the Chancellor. Rachel Reeves will deliver her review, setting out plans for spending and key public sector reforms, on June 11. The call comes just weeks after the formal launch of the Casey Commission, which the Government ordered with an aim of transforming social care. The first phase of the review, led by Baroness Casey, is expected to report next year, although recommendations from the initial probe will be implemented in phases over the course of 10 years. Social care leaders have already raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some reforms to be introduced. The second phase of the commission, setting out longer-term reforms, is due to report by 2028. A statement to Ms Reeves, published on Thursday, has been signed by dozens of sector leaders, including the Local Government Association, which represents councils providing care, as well as Mencap, Carers UK and the Homecare Association. In it, they said: 'Despite the best efforts of councils, care providers, the voluntary sector and the workforce, we all know that adult social care is not operating at its best. 'People who have cause to draw on support know that best of all. Report after report shows the consequences of under-investment over many years – on people, families, communities, businesses and other public services.' Referencing the Casey Commission, they said, 'resolving the long-term requires stability in the short-term and strong foundations from which to take forward meaningful reform'. They said while previous governments have sought savings and efficiencies to help plug immediate gaps, 'the scope for those is now extremely limited and the clear reality is that current funding levels are insufficient to tackle the challenges facing the sector, such as inflation, demography, workforce recruitment and retention, the inability to invest in prevention, and provider instability'. They added: 'Without significant new funding in the spending review, the coming months will likely be the most difficult we've seen in recent years for all parts of the sector and – most important of all – for people who draw on care and support.' Recently published analysis by the Health Foundation think tank suggested a minimum of £3.4 billion will be required to meet the growing need for social care by 2028/29 to avoid a further deterioration in the sector. The think tank also called on the Government to 'signal its commitment' ahead of the upcoming spending review with a 'down payment on the investment needed for reform'.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social care leaders warn of tough times without ‘significant new funding'
The coming months for people needing social care are likely to be 'the most difficult we've seen in recent years' unless significant new funding is announced soon, almost 100 leaders in the sector have warned. Next month's spending review is a 'crucial opportunity' for the Government to show its commitment to the future of adult social care, the leaders said in a statement to the Chancellor. Rachel Reeves will deliver her review, setting out plans for spending and key public sector reforms, on June 11. The call comes just weeks after the formal launch of the Casey Commission, which the Government ordered with an aim of transforming social care. The first phase of the review, led by Baroness Casey, is expected to report next year, although recommendations from the initial probe will be implemented in phases over the course of 10 years. Social care leaders have already raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some reforms to be introduced. The second phase of the commission, setting out longer-term reforms, is due to report by 2028. A statement to Ms Reeves, published on Thursday, has been signed by dozens of sector leaders, including the Local Government Association, which represents councils providing care, as well as Mencap, Carers UK and the Homecare Association. In it, they said: 'Despite the best efforts of councils, care providers, the voluntary sector and the workforce, we all know that adult social care is not operating at its best. 'People who have cause to draw on support know that best of all. Report after report shows the consequences of under-investment over many years – on people, families, communities, businesses and other public services.' Referencing the Casey Commission, they said, 'resolving the long-term requires stability in the short-term and strong foundations from which to take forward meaningful reform'. They said while previous governments have sought savings and efficiencies to help plug immediate gaps, 'the scope for those is now extremely limited and the clear reality is that current funding levels are insufficient to tackle the challenges facing the sector, such as inflation, demography, workforce recruitment and retention, the inability to invest in prevention, and provider instability'. They added: 'Without significant new funding in the spending review, the coming months will likely be the most difficult we've seen in recent years for all parts of the sector and – most important of all – for people who draw on care and support.' Recently published analysis by the Health Foundation think tank suggested a minimum of £3.4 billion will be required to meet the growing need for social care by 2028/29 to avoid a further deterioration in the sector. The think tank also called on the Government to 'signal its commitment' ahead of the upcoming spending review with a 'down payment on the investment needed for reform'.
