Disappointment at Claimar Care01/12/2008
Despite turnover at the Birmingham-based homecare agency Claimar Care more than doubling in the past year and a substantial expansion programme in the range of services offered, problems with recruitment and retention and issues surrounding the integration of acquired operations have led the senior management team to brand 2008 a ‘disappointing’ year.           Justin Merritt

Green Paper on course for early 2009 publication28/11/2008
The much anticipated Green Paper on adult social care will be published in March or April of 2009 according to care minister Phil Hope, who yesterday told delegates at a London conference that the personalisation agenda is here to stay.           Justin Merritt

DH greenlights adult social care law reform26/11/2008
After condemning the legislative framework of adult social care as inadequate, incomprehensible and outdated, the Law Commission has been given the go ahead to carry out a fundamental review of existing statutes in a process which could result in a massive shake up across England and Wales.           Justin Merritt

Customer care man takes reins at Southern Cross25/11/2008
Southern Cross Healthcare will begin the new year with a new man at the top after the provider today (25 November) announced the appointment of Jamie Buchan as new chief executive with effect from 1 January 2009.           Justin Merritt

Charities call for a national approach to care24/11/2008
If the social care system is to meet the needs of the millions of older and disabled people and their carers, care should be decided at a national, rather than a local level, according to three leading charities.           Justin Merritt

Cartoon time with CSCI21/11/2008
True to its word to continue bringing new ideas to the sector right up until its dissolution next April, the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is to produce three short pieces of animation for viewingin its website explaining what social care is and how people can experience it.           Justin Merritt

DH revises LINks document21/11/2008
The Department of Health (DH) haspublished a revised version of its guide explaining the relevance of Local Involvement Networks (LINks).           Justin Merritt

Shaw Healthcare’s plan for Bromley care collapses20/11/2008
Bromley council has this week admitted that the relationship between itself and Shaw Healthcare regarding a major reprovision programme for elderly residential care has collapsed, with the credit crunch and subsequent recession fingered with the blame.           Justin Merritt

Highlands invites homecare bids20/11/2008
Plans by Highland Council to modernise and extend the homecare services it commissions to cope with an increase in referrals and widen out provision to include 24-hour a day/7-day a week cover have take a step forward today (20 November).           Justin Merritt

Profits up at Care UK19/11/2008
Turnover increased across all of Care UK’s divisions in the year ending 30 September 2008, according to preliminary results published today (18 November) in which the company’s directors said that they are looking forward to seeing continued growth in the provision of a range of NHS services.           Justin Merritt