Social care
We are passionate about care and work with all elements of care systems to deliver better outcomes for commissioners, providers and end-users. We act for public and private sector organisations at national and local level, drawing on our wide experience and full-service offering to innovate in support of our clients’ long-term objectives.
Market leading work on the transition to Integrated Care Systems and the Social Care White Paper puts us at the vanguard of developments in care and supports strategic collaboration with our clients, to both deliver the needs of the moment and plan for future change.
Complex systems like care require broad expertise, and we bring the weight of our corporate, local and national government and health practice to the work we do for our clients. We draw on expertise from across our practice, including advice on statutory powers and duties, commissioning and procurement, information and data, employment law, public law challenges, commercial disputes and liability claims.
Our expertise
Featured experience
A local authority
Guiding a local authority on their transition to being part of an ICS, including reviews of structures and governance.
A local authority
Supporting a local authority in a complex supplier dispute and successful transition to a new provider. Dispute included commercial disputes, overpayment issues, and threatened JR of service user care plans and of MO decisions.
Private care provider
Advising a private care provider on risk associated with planned workforce sharing arrangements.
Key contacts
James Arrowsmith
Partner
Sarah Erwin-Jones
Partner
Bridget Tatham
Partner
Anja Beriro
Partner
Testimonials
"Professional, Knowledgeable Experts."
“Helping [us] sleep better at night.”
Latest insights and events
Legal Update
What does the 10-year health plan mean for social care?
Guide
Inquests: How wide should the scope be? The coroner’s decision
Legal Update
June 2025: A busy month for kinship care
Legal Update
Analysis: National audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse (June 2025)
Legal Update
What might the public inquiry on child sexual exploitation look like
Legal Update
Producing robust capacity assessments and the approaches to assessing capacity
On-Demand - Care Focus webinar series
Care Focus: Critical incidents and managing risks
Video
Investigations and inquiries into child sexual exploitation and grooming
On-Demand
Shaping a culture of respect and harmony: Managing competing beliefs
On-Demand - Care Focus webinar series
Care Focus: Critical incident inquests
Legal Update
Trans matters in care: The decision in For Women Scotland
Opinion
The Court of Appeal explains why a local authority cannot consent to the confinement of a looked after child
Legal Update
HMRC briefing on VAT groups in residential care: Concerns and actions
Legal Update
Safeguarding children: Effective strategies for prevention and response
Legal Update
AI in care: Navigating risk
Legal Update
Navigating the complexities of deprivation of liberty for children under 16
Legal Update
The age assessment process for local authorities
On-Demand - Care Focus webinar series
Care Focus: Regulatory and employment
Legal Update
LGBTQ+ inclusion in adult social care: Addressing inequalities and driving change
On-Demand - Care Focus webinar series
Care Focus: Critical incident response and criminal investigations
Legal Update
Limitation in claims for Child Sexual abuse (CSA)
On-Demand - Care Focus webinar series
Care Focus: The crucial first 48 hours
Press Release
New reforms affecting child sexual abuse claims: Legal comment
Opinion
Employment Tribunal recognises foster carers' right to bring whistleblowing and discrimination claims
Opinion
Supporting social work decisions: R (on behalf of TW) v Essex County Council
Press Release
New report set out how councils need to strengthen risk management
Legal Update
Report: Risk management in local government
Legal Update
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in public sector procurements
Press Release
Health and life sciences: 2025 predictions
Legal Update
Important judgment for social work teams facing ‘failure to remove’ claims
Press Release
Government's announcement on child grooming inquiries: What local authorities need to know
Press Release
Government sector: 2025 predictions
Opinion
The Casey Commission: A consensus for change
Training
Mock inquest training course
Press Release
Comment on Older People's Housing Preferences report
Legal Update
The latest take on vicarious liability for kinship / connected person foster care
Opinion
Key findings from the call for evidence on the statutory duty of candour
Opinion
Opportunities for private children’s services to engage with Regional Care Cooperatives
On-Demand
Kinship care: DJ v Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and SG
