Significant variations in the expertise of commissioning staff fuel doubts over councils’ ability to maintain efficiency savings as the government’s Commissioning Support Programme draws to a close.

The government last week finally published its flagship welfare reform bill. After more previews than a summer blockbuster, most of it came as no surprise. By Ruth Scott

THEY are among Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents who rely on the expert care of some of the county’s expert nurses.

News Group Newspapers has won an order forcing Haringey Council to disclose documents which it intends to use in its defence of its Baby P libel battle.

Official figures reveal reluctance among councils to “wash dirty linen in public” after government’s decision to publish serious case reviews in full.

A scheming carer stole more than £3,000 from the bank account of an elderly woman she was trusted to look after.

Social workers are living in a “climate of fear”that they will lose their jobs and thousands more are being forced to accept reduced terms and conditions as councils begin making cuts.

Couples wishing to adopt children from a different ethnic or cultural background should find it easier following new government guidance to be given to social workers.