A CONTROVERSIAL plan to replace a popular old people’s home with a new ‘care village’ has been given the go-ahead.

Council bosses plan to slash the number of Cheshire East social workers by nearly half to 58. But Cheshire East Council (CEC) insist the system will be more efficient – with those remaining dealing with more cases and less paperwork.

The inspection of nurseries and childcare in England is to be privatised, Ofsted has confirmed. The inspectorate for education and children’s services is in the final stages of selecting private companies to run the checks.

Some adults with learning disabilities are not aware of the funding available to them, it has been claimed. According to David Congdon, head of campaigns and policy at Mencap, a number of social care areas are being neglected.

A row has erupted between the three main political parties before a health summit tomorrow aimed at securing an agreement on funding old people’s care.

Councils have been urged to step up to the challenge of creating modern services for older people. The Audit Commission called for an end to one-size-fits-all services and warned councils must innovate to save cash.

Confidential inquiries into crimes against children such as the Edlington torture case should be published in full, according to the body representing thousands of social workers.

Young people living in residential children’s homes are at risk of being “severly disadvantaged” because of inconsistent mental health provision across England, an Ofsted report has found.

Two London-based charities that provide services for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs will merge at the beginning of April.

PROTESTS against 300 job cuts at Cambridgeshire County Council fell on deaf ears as plans to slash spending on services by £95.5 million over five years were approved.