adult services

This report explores the complex ethical issues surrounding the commissioning and provision of telecare and the difficult decisions that professionals may face. Some solutions to these difficulties are also discussed. The aim is to ensure that commissioners and providers of telecare address these issues when developing their procedures and protocols.

This interim guide aims to help managers, commissioners, providers and practitioners in all sectors of adult social care to:

* acknowledge and understand the occurrence, risks and effects of age discrimination
* identify key features of an age-equalities approach to social care
* recognise some of the obstacles to achieving age equality and reducing age discrimination
* share information, develop ideas, and implement changes to overcome the obstacles.

The MCA Code of Practice says that the IMCA safeguard is intended for ‘those people who have little or no network of support, such as close family or friends, who take an interest in their welfare or no one willing or able to be formally consulted in decision-making processes’ (10.74). It provides guidance about when an IMCA should be instructed in cases where a person has some contact with family or friends

This report investigates some of the key issues currently confronting those involved in planning and providing adult social care at a time of budgetary pressure. With local authorities preparing to introduce a series of cost saving measures, adult social care budgets are under greater pressure than ever before. Ipsos MORI spoke to senior stakeholders to understand the challenges that they face and to find out how their organisations are planning for the future.

Briefing that examines the implications of the personalisation agenda for social workers.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has established a new School for Social Care Research. The aim of the school is to increase the evidence-base for adult social care practice. The SSCR will undertake high-quality primary research and provide a focus for applied research in social care within the NIHR.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's (JRF) response to the Law Commission’s consultation on creating a simple, consistent, transparent and modern framework for adult social care law.

Short reviews of research evidence, each answering a key question related to an aspect of current health and social care practice for adults. In answering the question authors summarise the available evidence and detail the key implications for practice.

Resource designed to provide ready access to relevant policy, available evidence and emerging practice on topics of current importance. It addresses topics where the evidence base is currently less well-developed, but where practitioners and managers still need to access emerging evidence and information to help inform their practice. Themes include outcome-based commissioning and contracting, support brokerage, joint strategic needs assessment, and social firms.

Provides accessible summaries of the most up-to-date, relevant evidence on key issues for policy and practice. Topics covered include employment for people with long-term mental health problems, direct payments for those using mental health services and effective involvement of older people in service planning, and effectiveness of support for adults with autistic spectrum disorder.