The coalition government has controversially decided to press ahead with plans to cap the court fees for independent social workers (ISWs), BASW Online has learned.

Until now, adult social care has struggled to demonstrate its worth and to quantify the return on government investment in it. The Ascot could change all that, says David Brindle

Children’s social care staff at Surrey County Council were on the brink of taking industrial action last year due to excessive caseloads and a lack of management support, the public sector union Unison has claimed.

NHS trusts which were heavily criticised for their failure to protect Baby Peter have made “significant progress”, a watchdog has reported.

A 21-year-old care leaver has released a single called Keep Dreaming to promote this autumn’s National Care Leavers’ Week.

Social care professionals have warned against publishing the full serious case reviews of Baby Peter, Khyra Ishaq, the Edlington brothers and Shannon Matthews, fearing another media storm against the social work profession.

New research published today confirms that traditional commissioning models are inadequate.  Published at a time of budget cuts and efficiency savings, the report highlights the need to measure outcomes and value for money in the widest possible way, by focusing not just on the benefit of the service delivery to the individual end user but on the wider social value created as well.   

The UK Border Agency is to set up a £4m “reintegration centre” in Afghanistan so that it can start deporting unaccompanied child asylum seekers to Kabul from Britain, the Guardian can disclose.

Social workers in Derby will begin industrial action this week after learning that their car allowances will be cut. Unison balloted workers across Derby city council, including social workers, for action which will mean they will no longer use their cars for work.

Plans to build a new rehabilitation unit at a former mental hospital have sparked calls for other parts of the site to be returned to use.