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Caring matters

07 May 2009 / Ed Mitchell
Issue: 7368 / Categories: Features , Public , Community care
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Part two: Ed Mitchell provides an update on fair access, mental capacity & welfare reform

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In response to the Commission for Social Care Inspection's recent review of the operation of eligibility criteria in England, the Department of Health says it intends to “rework” the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) guidance, with public consultation planned for spring 2009.

Service diversion

One key concern of the department is that the current system diverts resources away from preventative services. In R(Chavda) & Others v Harrow LBC [2007] EWHC 3064 (Admin), [2007] All ER (D) 337 (Dec), the High Court confirmed that, as a general rule, it is lawful for a local authority only to fund services to meet needs which are “critical” under the FACS guidance. Given the way in which the FACS guidance describes critical needs, this ruling has led many authorities to continue to starve preventative services of resources. This may be tackled by the new guidance, perhaps by placing a higher priority on preventative services within the

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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