1, Social Care & Health Policy (SWK1067)

Vocabulary flashcards covering the legislative framework, funding structures, and professional standards of Social Care and Health Policy in England as of 2026.

Local Authority Social Services Act (1970)

The legislation that created the social services function, established that it would be carried out by Local Authorities, and effectively created the modern Social Work role.

Ultra Vires

A legal term meaning literally working beyond your legal power or duty.

Vicarious Liability

A situation where a public body can be held accountable for the actions of an employee, particularly when that action is unlawful or discriminatory.

Social Work England (SWE)

The specialist regulator for social workers developed from Part $2$ of the Children & Social Work Act $2017$, responsible for setting professional standards like Standards $3.1$ and $4.4$.

NHS Funding (2025-2026)

The day-to-day funding allocated for the NHS totalling £195b typically spent on staff costs.

Prescription Charges (2026-27)

Frozen costs for single prescriptions maintained at a rate of $£9.90$.

Better Care Fund (BCF)

A fund composed of mandatory contributions from Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Local Authorities to reform neighborhood services and provide joined-up health and social care.

Adult Social Care Precept

An element of Council Tax that Local Authorities can set at up to $2 ext{\%}$ to make additional funds available for social care.

Section 114 Notice

A report issued by a council's finance officer under the Local Government Finance Act $1988$ when an authority’s expenditure is expected to exceed its income, effectively signaling local government bankruptcy.

Social Care Asset Threshold

The financial limit of $£23,250$; individuals with assets above this amount are normally not eligible for publicly funded residential care in England.

Lower Asset Limit

Individuals with assets between $£14,250$ and $£23,250$ are usually expected to contribute towards the cost of their publicly funded services from their income.

Personal Budgets

Funding organized by a local authority that allows individuals with disabilities to directly employ 'personal assistants' to provide their care and support.

MASH Team

A multi-agency assessment team that offers further assessment, immediate assistance, or signposting to community-based support and services.

Healthcare Need

A need related to the treatment, control, or prevention of a disease, illness, injury, or disability, and the associated care or aftercare.

Social Care Need

A need focused on assistance with activities of daily living, maintaining independence, social interaction, and protecting individuals in vulnerable situations.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

A package of care for people with significant health needs, assessed by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) across $12$ specific headings including breathing, nutrition, and cognition.

National Assistance Act 1948

The act that established the original split between health services (NHS) and welfare services (Local Authorities).

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)

Statutory bodies that replaced Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to plan and fund health services, with plans to merge from $42$ down to $27$ by $2026$.

Health & Social Care Act 2012

Legislation that abolished Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), created CCGs, and introduced the 'any willing provider' principle allowing private sector competition in NHS services.

OPEL (Operational Pressures Escalation Levels)

A system used to manage and monitor ongoing operational strain across acute, mental health, and community services.

CAMHS / CYPMHS

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (also known as Children & Young People’s Mental Health Services), providing interventions for those up to $18$ years old.

IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)

A service providing treatment for conditions such as depression, generalized anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, OCD, and PTSD.