The new independent regulator for adult social care in England has pledged to put service-users at the heart of its decision making. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) started work on 1 April and will regulate all health and adult social care services, and protect the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act.

The new care services watchdog has said it wants to develop a regulatory system that is flexible enough to allow personalised services to flourish. The Care Quality Commission began work on 1 April as the joint regulator for all adult social care and health services in England. It said its approach will be based

The government has reached a “long-awaited milestone” by launching a consultation on its first national adult autism strategy for England, say campaigners. Care services minister Phil Hope met five adults with autism to hear their views as he launched the consultation on 29 April. Issues raised at the meeting will be lodged as the

The government will add an extra £100 a year to disabled children’s child trust funds, the chancellor announced in his April budget. The savings and investment accounts were introduced in 2005, with the government allocating £250 to be put into a trust fund for every child at birth, with another £250 at the age

The Equality and Human Right Commission (EHRC) has launched a three-point plan to address violence and hostility towards disabled people. The plan came in its new report, Promoting the Safety and Security of Disabled People, which found that disabled people are at greater risk of being victims of targeted violence and hostility. People with