A new campaign has been launched to persuade qualified social workers to return to the profession. The scheme is being run by the Children’s Workforce Development Council, which is working in partnership with local authorities on the initiative and will allocate funding to those taking part.

The long-awaited social care green paper has set out the government’s ambition for a national care service that could offer a basic minimum entitlement to all, regardless of financial means.

As the Government sets out proposals to reform social care, leading mental health charity Mind welcomes the move to simplify the process and create a fairer system for the many thousands of people with mental health problems who currently pay for social care services.

It is painfully apparent that the present system for allocating social care to the infirm elderly is confusing, overly complicated and riddled with unfairness. Under the present means-tested system in England and Wales even those with relatively modest savings find themselves forced to pay for the full cost of care. And those who do receive public support are also treated badly.

VOLUNTEERS and staff working with dementia sufferers in Oxfordshire are to benefit from a £207,000 cash injection from the Government.

The Government will today finally set out its plans for the long-term care of older people. Years of waiting will be ended with the announcement by the health secretary of the Green Paper on long-term care of older people.

The number of children returned to care after being adopted has risen sharply in the past five years, new figures reveal.