Adult social care in the health crisis ​- Webinar on 3 April 2020

The webinar focused on issues arising in adult social care in the current health crisis, providing an introduction to Coronavirus Act 2020 Sch 12 Pt 1 and the guidance issued on 31 March. 

The structure of the webinar was as follows:

Overview - issues in adult social care in the current health crisis and overview of the changes to Care Act 2014 duties under Coronavirus Act 2020 Sch 12 Part 1 – Bethan Harris, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
 
Human rights issues – outline of circumstances in which support is necessary to avoid a breach of a person’s human rights – Shu Shin Luh, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
 
Statutory considerations - analysis of the circumstances in which the exercise of the powers that are implicit in the Act's legislative scheme (for example the power to reduce the level of care and support provided to a person) might conflict with the object and purpose of the legislation and/or the principles underpinning the Care Act 2014, such as the well-being principle – Connor Johnston, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
 
Other issues – examination of residual powers including Localism Act 2010 and implications for particular groups – Tim Baldwin, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers

Further useful reference materials in relation to this topic are listed below:

• Covid-19 DOLS Guidance (Department of Health and Social Care)
• Guidance for people in receipt of direct payments
• Coronavirus Act 2020
• Care Act easements: guidance for local authorities
• Responding to COVID-19: the ethical framework for adult social care
• COVID-19 PPE Guidance (Public Health England)
• COVID-19: Guidance on home care provision (Public Health England)
• Statement of principles relating to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the context of the coronavirus disease pandemic (Council of Europe)​​
• Case of BP v Surrey on family visits during the crisis
• Campaign to increase asylum support rates​