A series of scandals have exposed a lack of understanding of social care in the ranks of both Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission. The watchdogs need to learn from the wisdom of those delivering the service. By Ray Jones.

It is widely recognised that parent and toddler groups provide support while also improving life-chances for children from low-income families. However, new research from the University of Bristol has found that nearly a quarter of mothers’ first-time visits to a group were so off-putting that they did not return to that group. One in five mothers then became afraid of attending any group.

Kevin Curley used his final speech at Navca’s annual conference yesterday to criticise the “strange and confused” relationships that have developed between charities and private companies.

Social care providers are not sufficiently focused on projecting an image of quality for their sector and have become too reliant on regulators to maintain standards, MPs have been told.

All local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs) will be required to undertake regular checks to assess whether children in their area are at risk of sexual exploitation, under government plans to tackle the problem.

Inadequate ratings handed to settings and local authorities are sparking improvements across children’s services, Ofsted has concluded in its annual report.

The Care Quality Commission will carry out spot inspections of 250 home care providers next year to root out ‘bad practice’ in the sector, it was announced today.

The Department of Health will extend its Voluntary Sector Strategic Partners Programme for another year, Paul Burstow, the care services minister, announced yesterday.

Union members have rejected Southampton City Council’s latest proposals in a long-running dispute over worker pay.

Medway Council has laid out its proposals for cutting £2.1m from its adult social care budget.