Expert Guides

Adult social care services were split from children’s social services following the introduction of the Children Act 2004. The act requires a local authority with social services responsibilities to appoint a director of adult social services. Directors of adult social services have statutory responsibilities for older people, adults with mental health needs and people with learning disabilities. Some directors are also responsible for commissioning and providing other council services such as housing, leisure, culture and arts. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services represents directors of adult social services in councils across England.

Latest Adults services jobs

The Green Paper

In March 2005 the Department of Health published a green paper Independence, Wellbeing and Choice, which set out a vision for the way adult social care would develop over the next 10 to 15 years.

Its proposals included: wider use of direct payments and the piloting of individualised budgets so that people can have a greater say about the types of services they receive.

The White Paper

In January 2006 the Department of Health published a white paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say designed to improve community health and social care services.

It called for change in the way social care services are delivered, emphasising personalised and community-based services.

Safeguarding adults

As the heads of adult services, directors of adult social services have a responsibility to protect adults from abuse or neglect. Many councils have appointed a lead officer for adult protection. In March 2000, the Department of Health and the Home Office published No Secrets, guidance for social care organisations, police and all health bodies on how to discharge their responsibility to investigate cases of abuse of vulnerable adults. Each local authority has a multi-agency partnership to lead safeguarding adults work, which includes representation from all appropriate statutory agencies. Accountability for the partnership lies with the council. 

In November 2006, the government gave royal assent to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. Under the act, a centralised vetting system for people who work with children and vulnerable adults will be introduced. The vetting and barring scheme for people who work with vulnerable adults and children came about as a recommendation by Sir Michael Bichard in his inquiry report into the murders of Soham school girls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. It will build on the existing lists of those barred from work with children and vulnerable adults on the Protection of Vulnerable Adults list held by the Department of Health.

The scheme will be implemented in a staged process in 2007 and 2008.

Under the legislation, employers such as parents will be able to check whether people including music tutors and care workers are banned from working with vulnerable people.

Community Care Conferences

Tackling the Eligibility Crisis in Adult Services: Working towards the transformation of social care

 

Latest articles on adult social care

All articles on adult social care in Community Care

Expert commentary on adult social care can be found on Community Care’s blogs:

The Social Work Blog

Mad World

The Social Care Experts Blog