The first ever official survey of NHS mental health inpatients has revealed high levels of dissatisfaction with services, with only a minority of respondents saying they “always felt safe” on the wards.

The Roman Catholic Church is urging whistleblowers to speak out against bishops, clergy, monks and nuns who they suspect might be guilty of sexual or other abuse.

Children’s social workers must value the role of foster carers and recognise them as equal members of the child care team to ensure children are properly looked after, the Fostering Network is warning today.

The government’s social work recruitment campaign has attracted 18,000 enquiries from those interested in joining the profession.

The General Social Care Council (GSCC) is urging local authorities not to cut training budgets for social workers in a drive to save money.

Social workers should be required to complete secondments with the police and other agencies, according to the Liberal Democrats.

SANDWELL Homes Tenancy Support Service has beaten off seven other councils to win a national award. The organisation won ‘Best Social Care Team’ category at the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards ceremony in Cardiff.

The number of people across the world with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is predicted to almost double every 20 years as life expectancy increases, a new analysis says today.

Poor communication between hospitals and care homes in England may be putting people at risk of MRSA and other infections, the regulator says.

Cherie Blair is likely to front a legal action by care homes to get councils around the country to pay more for elderly care. The wife of the former Prime Minister has provided advice for a coalition of private care home firms, charities and housing associations who run residential and nursing care accommodation across England.