NIHR School for Social Care Research Annual Conference
This conference will focus on key themes for adult social care practice in England. The programme will be available shortly.

Adult family members and carers of dependent drug users: prevalence, social cost, resource savings and treatment responses
The authors believe that this study is the first attempt in the UK at both estimating the numbers of adult family members with a drug using relative and calculating levels of cost and cost-saving brought about by the impact of the problem on families and the care that they provide to their relatives. The study looks at the importance of families for people with drug problems, estimating the number of family members affected, costing the impact on families and the value of families' support, and delivering improved support for families of problem drug users. A model for estimating prevalence of adult family members affected by drug use is presented and then applied to existing data and the findings discussed, a model for estimating the total social costs and resource savings to the NHS and local authorities that emerge from the care and support that family members provide to drug using relatives is presented, a summary of effective interventions for family members is provided and conclusions and recommendations are set out. It is estimated that in the UK nearly 1.5 million adults will be significantly affected by a relative's drug use, that the cost of the resulting harms they experience is about £1.8 billion per year, and that the support they provide would cost the NHS or local authorities about £750 million to provide if it were not available. The authors conclude that the evidence in this report suggests that policymakers need to reframe and reflect upon the negative aspects of the hidden economic costs and consider how this could be turned to advantage by embracing family interventions and family support much more fully.

Supporting the supporters: families of drug misusers
This briefing highlights key findings of the study 'Family members and carers of dependent drug users: prevalence, social cost, resource savings and treatment responses', which estimated that in the UK nearly 1.5 million adults will be significantly affected by a relative's drug use, that the cost of the resulting harms they experience is about £1.8 billion per year, and that the support they provide would cost the NHS or local authorities about £750 million to provide if it were not available. The briefing looks at the importance of families for people with drug problems, estimating the number of family members affected, costing the impact on families and the value of families' support, and delivering improved support for families of problem drug users. It suggests that there is a need for action in the following areas: improving the level and quality of direct support to families in their own right, challenging the stigma associated with drug dependency, making the drug treatment system more supportive and inclusive of families, leadership for enhancing support for families, and information and knowledge development with a programme of research and data collection.

Developing and delivering the new PQ framework: involving people who use services and carers
An extensive body of work is already in existence which looks at effective and appropriate ways of working with people who use services to improve service provision and delivery. The majority of the literature is related specifically to the arena of education and training, although some of the research is related more directly to service provision.  This guide is based upon that extensive body of work and was developed to support work taking place to develop the Regional Planning Networks that underpin the introduction of the new post-qualifying (PQ) framework for social workers.  It precedes the publication of the wider national strategies for the participation of people who use services and carers in Skills for Care?s work, however the principles of participation in PQ programmes as outlined in this guide are embedded in the strategies. These address recommendations made by University of Teesside and Hartlepool Partners, in consultation with people who use services and carers on how to overcome barriers to participation and the principles that should be adhered in participative working.

Explaining about... the changing face of regulation.
Recently there have been a number of changes in the regulation of social care, all of which impact older people and the organisations that serve them. Key changes are the ?Vetting and Barring Scheme?, which require the registration of all those working with vulnerable groups. The new ?Care Quality Commission?, replacing the Healthcare Commission, has a statutory responsibility to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of people who use health and adult social care services in England. Finally, the ?Comprehensive Area Assessment? is concerned with how public services work together to meet the needs of the local community. This article examines these changes individually, and what they mean for older people?s services. Noting that over people over 50 account for a third of the population, the author encourages this sector to ensure their voices are heard by engaging in the planning and shaping of local services. In conclusion, these changes are aimed at improving safety, quality of life, and general wellbeing of those that use these services.

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