Christmas doesn't have to be the loneliest time of the year
At a time when most of us are frantically looking for last-minute presents or trying to find a turkey, it can be easy to forget there are people for whom Christmas can be a very lonely, upsetting time.
20 December 2011
How to use the law to fight social care spending cuts
With more than 150,000 local authority jobs under threat, and councils proposing to cut services due to funding pressures, social care staff and service users are increasingly concerned about their prospects. But there may be ways in which they can use the law to challenge and overturn councils' decisions.
16 February 2011
Strategies for saving money: what councils can do to survive austerity
A on how social care responds to the public spending cuts begins with Community Care reporters looking at how councils can save money. Geoff Ettridge, meanwhile, examines the potential for savings
28 May 2010
Should children's social work be a touch-free zone?
Although physical contact is a human need, children's social workers are starting to take a hands-off approach in order to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and false accusations. Camilla Pemberton reports
20 August 2010
Councils battle to fill empty social work posts
Over the past year social work vacancy rates have improved in many English councils, but deterioration in others has pushed up the overall rate. Daniel Lombard reports
25 August 2010
Risk factor: Helping a man with hidden brain injuries to settle in accommodation
Hidden head injuries are challenging for professionals because, while the individual may appear well, they often have residual cognitive problems affecting their memory, emotions or behaviour, writes Mark Drinkwater.
20 August 2010
The future of employment support for people with disabilities
Employment support for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues is at a crossroads finds Mithran Samuel
20 August 2010
Capital role models give boys direction
The ability to fully understand young black men is crucial to ensuring they remain engaged with society. Camilla Pemberton talks to Ian Joseph, who has helped former gang members into careers
20 August 2010
Care funding commission chair denies government pressure
The chair of the commission on the funding of long-term care, Andrew Dilnot, tells Jeremy Dunning that the government has not pressurised him to deliver the most politically convenient outcome
20 August 2010
Targeting parents at risk of sudden infant deaths
Judy Cooper and Camilla Pemberton profile two councils that have had enjoyed success in targeting families most at risk of cot death Lancashire: 'Awareness...
23 June 2010
Let down by the NHS
A new Mencap survey confirms that people with learning disabilities receive worse health care than others. But specialist posts are making a difference, reports Mithran Samuel
21 June 2010
Still nothing to fear?
Disability minister Maria Miller tells Vern Pitt disabled people are a coalition priority despite astring of benefit cuts
23 July 2010
Proven Practice: Including children with disabilities
The Centre for Excellence and Outcomes looks at overcoming the barriers that disabled children encounter, particularly in children's centres, extended schools and youth services
16 July 2010
Councils weigh up future of in-house adult care services
Cost-cutting and personalisation are forcing councils to rethink their adult care services provision which could see social care staff working in new organisations. Jeremy Dunning looks at the options
27 July 2010
Risk Factor: should Stuart have the kids back?
Mark Drinkwater describes a case in which an independent practitioner's assessment makes all the difference for a father who wants his children to live with him and his new partner
24 June 2010
A real sense of community in the North West
Co-operation between local authorities within the region and between agencies is the norm. This results in early interventions that avoid crisis management later, as well as promoting innovative practices for social workers, writes Rowenna Davies
23 July 2010
Is child protection a job for volunteers?
Volunteers have undertaken social work for hundreds of years but should their involvement be formalised, particularly in the context of the Big Society? Natalie Valios reports
16 July 2010
Hackneys Steve Goodman on the council's social work units
Steve Goodman has been campaigning to reorganise social work based on changes he helped implement in Hackney. Molly Garboden reports
21 July 2010
Health White Paper poses questions for social care sector
Although there are positives for social workers in the health White Paper, there remain many questions about power and accountability, says Richard Humphries of the King's Fund
16 July 2010
Fears over DLA reform and the new medical assessment
Disabled people are anxious about losing access to disability living allowance because of the government's cost-cutting plan to introduce mandatory medical tests. Gordon Carson reports
15 July 2010
