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<p>To support implementation of the Care Act, a joint Programme Management Office
between the Department, the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association
of Directors of Adults Social Services (ADASS) has been established. This unprecedented
partnership is driving collaborative working with the care sector, influencing the
local implementation of these changes to support a consistent and coherent approach
across the country. Earlier this year this approach was recognised by the National
Audit Office as best practice and recommended it should be adopted by other similar
work programmes.</p><br /><p>As part of this programme of work the Department has
provided £2.7 million to nine regional local government networks to enable them to
commission tools, products and non-statutory guidance to help local authorities in
implementing the Care Act. The care sector has been involved in developing these materials
and making sure they meet required standards. The materials focus on areas of key
risk and challenge identified by local authorities and support the development of
best practice. The Department also provided £4 million in 2015-16 for the ADASS to
give local authorities targeted support and to help share best practice. Information
on good practice, research and innovation aimed at improving the social care infrastructure
is available at the following website.</p><br /><p><a href="https://www.adass.org.uk/support-and-resources/"
target="_blank">https://www.adass.org.uk/support-and-resources/</a></p><br /><p>In
addition the LGA has included information on its website that details available learning
and development resources, best practice guidance and practical tools to support the
care sector. It also details the regional support available in each of the nine local
government regions to help councils to implement the Care Act. The website is available
at:</p><p><a href="http://www.local.gov.uk/care-support-reform;jsessionid=B36A65C6DFFB6012739EB96FDBE5918B.tomcat2"
target="_blank">http://www.local.gov.uk/care-support-reform;jsessionid=B36A65C6DFFB6012739EB96FDBE5918B.tomcat2</a></p><br
/><p>The support work described above is part of a wider package of Sector-Led Improvement
that the Department has funded the LGA and ADASS to deliver, under the umbrella of
the Towards Excellence in Adult Social Care (TEASC) programme. The culture of Sector-Led
Improvement, and the TEASC programme, are based on the principles that local authorities
are responsible for their own performance, and are collectively responsible for the
performance of the sector as a whole. This includes an ongoing commitment to share
experience, advice and best practice at a regional and national level.</p><br /><p><strong></strong></p><br
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