Social workers face a “vicious circle” that is driving the sector downwards, a government-appointed taskforce has found.

A “vicious circle” of linked problems blighting social services has made it difficult for them to improve, experts tasked with an investigation after the death of Baby P have said.

The competence of Ofsted to inspect children’s services and help to protect young people from abuse and neglect has been challenged by the Government’s child protection chief.

CHILDREN’S services chiefs at Doncaster Council yesterday claimed they were “on track” to provide improvements, despite warning councillors that total recovery would take three years.

Councillors look set to press on with the controversial closure of a Hull care home despite a last-minute legal challenge. Rokeby House has been the centre of a two-year battle between Hull Council and relatives of the 11 elderly residents still there.

A NEW way of dealing with dementia will be trialled in Enfield. The borough will be one of three Dementia Demonstrator sites in London, after winning a bid alongside Croydon and Kingston-upon-Thames.

Children and adults with learning disabilities are being ignored by the government because current policy is too focused on care of the elderly, a coalition of charities claims today.

Many people support the cost of social care being met through taxation – so why is the government dismissing this approach?

SPENDING on adult social services in Barnet has increased by 25 per cent over the last five years, a report has revealed. The cost of handling elderly and vulnerable adults has risen massively above inflation, with £22 million more spent this year than five years ago.

The president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has called for a “robust” regulatory system to deal with complaints against social workers following GSCC chief executive Mike Wardle’s suspension.