Directors demand a duty to co-operate

Public bodies and care providers must be placed under a duty to
co-operate in adult services partnerships if the green paper’s
vision is to succeed, say council leaders.

The Association of Directors of Social Services and the Local
Government Association made the call in their responses to the
consultation on the director of adult social services role, which
closed last week.

It was also backed by the NHS Confederation, which represents
health managers.

The arrangements would mirror those for children’s services set out
in the Children Act 2004. These placed councils and their partners
under a duty to co-operate to improve children’s well-being.

The ADSS also called for the director’s role to be matched by a
lead councillor’s position, with the same remit.