Welfare Reform on the Web (March 2004): Social Care - UK

CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU: DELIVERING SAFER RECRUITMENT?

National Audit Office

London: TSO, 2004 (House of Commons papers, session 2003/04; HC266)

Report covers the setting up of the Criminal Records Bureau as a public-private partnership between the Home Office and Capita, and the problems which it experienced during the first part of 2002.

FUTURE-PROOFING THE PROFESSION

J. Parker

Professional Social Work, Feb.2004, p.10-11

Analyses the outcomes of the review of the post-qualifying award framework for social work training in England. There will remain a commitment to the post-qualification framework of awards as a way of encouraging continuing professional development.

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER

R. Winchester

Community Care, Jan 29th-Feb.4th 2004, p.26-27

Much of the information accessed by social care professionals is sensitive, yet sharing it quickly can save lives. Information exchange is inhibited by the Data Protection Act, whose provisions professionals find confusing. Simple, user-friendly guidance is urgently needed.

HIGHER HURDLES

N. Valios

Community Care, Feb.5th-11th 2004, p.26-27

Joint reviews of social services departments by the Social Services Inspectorate and the Audit Commission have been criticised for concentrating on cost rather than quality, and on procedures rather than outcomes. Article discusses whether this will change when responsibility for inspection passes to the new Commission for Social Care Inspection in April 2004.

INCREASE IN OVERSEAS SOCIAL WORKERS POSES ETHICAL QUESTIONS FOR COUNCILS

D. Hayes

Community Care, Feb.5th-11th 2004, p.18-19

In the light of shortages of home trained social workers, local authorities are moving towards recruiting staff from developing countries, in spite of practical and ethical problems.

SHARE OPTION

M.-L. Harding

Health Service Journal, vol.114, Feb.26th 2004, p.24-25

Interview with Denise Platt, Chair of the new Commission for Social Care Inspection, in which she discusses how her organisation might work with the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection to regulate integrated health and social care services.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

N. Valios

Community Care, Jan.22nd-28th 2004, p.28-30

Discusses the likely impact of fines levied on social services departments for delayed hospital discharges on partnerships with NHS bodies. There are concerns that the new policy could lead to demarcation disputes between health and social care, premature hospital discharges, and people being dumped in intermediate care. In the face of these issues, some health and social care authorities are making informal agreements to avoid fines and protect joint working.