This year’s National Children and Adults Services Conference in Harrogate made the headlines.
As well as the media, directors, senior officers, policymakers, service managers and councillors with responsibilities for children’s services, adult care and health in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors were all in attendance.
In her keynote speech, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, Sandie Keene, hailed the integration of health and care services as an ‘opportunity for social care to come of age’.
She spoke after a senior Birmingham city councillor argued that the adult social care system was ‘past its sell-by date’ and the Care Quality Commission unveiled it was considering using hidden cameras.
Responding to bad news headlines for the sector, Ms Keene believes the issues are much more complex.
The churn of children’s services directors has also been in the news after a report by Ofsted.
Association of Directors of Children’s Services president Andrew Webb believes it is important for members to develop the skills-set needed to be successful and confident.
And Bexley LBC’s director for education and social care Mark Charters thinks we need more of the spirit of Beveridge.
