Plans to overhaul social work and cut red tape in the highly regulated service are being drawn up by the Conservatives. The party believes that reforms introduced after the Baby P tragedy fall well short of what is needed to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

A BEREAVED family’s complaints over their loved one’s care remain the subject of a council probe today, despite no evidence of neglect being found at a Teesside care home.

Councils are “feeling furious” after being warned they could have to contribute £250 million towards a free home care scheme for the elderly, Tories said today.

A £1m voluntary sector grant has been divided between 20 projects helping young carers across England. The Department for Children, Schools and Families’ (DCSF) Innovation Fund is designed to help young carers projects focus on providing improvements and solutions to young carers’ lives.

Andy Burnham, the health secretary, announced today he is considering three options to pay for a new “national care service” including a progressive estate levy.

Two women who were raped and abused by their father over 25 years – bearing seven of his children – were given an apology by the authorities, including those in Sheffield, which failed to protect them.

A controversial law which allows police to pass on information about sex offenders to parents will be rolled out to 18 new police forces today.

A CARE home could be on the brink of closing because of a damning report by inspectors. Michaelstowe Hall, in Ramsey, has lost its Essex County Council funding because of strong concerns over the way its residents are being cared for.

TWO women who were raped and abused by their father over 25 years – bearing seven of his children – were given an apology today by a Yorkshire authority which failed to protect them.

The Liberal Democrats have hit out at Conservative plans for residential social care at a cost of £8,000 to pensioners, saying its proposals are “unworkable, unfair and unaffordable”.