Britain’s struggling social care system needs urgent change to save elderly and disabled people from a “vicious circle”, campaigners say.

Council leaders and charities have called on Prime Minister David Cameron to show ‘vision and courage’ over social care reform.

‘The smell would be even worse’, says Zoe, the social worker I’m shadowing for the week, ‘were it not for the clothes.’ Trying not to touch or breathe, I survey the mounds of sweaters and jeans and dresses interspersed across the bare floorboards.

Health and social care leaders have written an open letter to the prime minister requesting he shows leadership on social care reform. The letter calls on the PM to personally convene a care summit to lead urgent action to tackle the crisis in social care.

The Centre for Social Justice is urging ministers to prioritise the poorest older people when they respond to the Dilnot report.

Nine men have been convicted over a child sexual exploitation ring in Rochdale that targeted vulnerable girls aged between 13 and 15.

Almost three million people spend more than £1,200 of their own money every year caring for an elderly loved-one, a study suggests.

COUNCIL chiefs look set to build and operate two new super care homes in York in line with public demand – even though using private operators would save the authority £24 million over 26 years.

Report by Centre for Social Justice calls for resources to be concentrated on pensioners with few or no assets

A new service has been launched across the county aimed at supporting people with dementia and those who are worried about their memory.