Organised by the Healthcare and Welfare Unit at Langleys jointly with Deans Court Chambers of Manchester, the event brought together leading experts to discuss the community care law framework.
The panel included barristers Jane Cross QC and Jonathan Butler of Deans Court Chambers, Joseph O'Brien of St Johns Buildings, Independent Social Worker Jeff Fowler, David Hewitt, a judge in the First-tier Tribunal and Susan McKendry, partner in the Healthcare and Welfare Unit at Langleys.
Susan, who heads up the specialist community care and Court of Protection team said: “As with our successful seminar in December 2011, the panel discussion proved to be very interactive. We debated the possible resolutions to bottom out and cut through the practical complexity of the law in this area, such as alignment to the mental health framework by way of a lower tier tribunal service, which can affect everyone involved in this sector.
“Other topics discussed were managing the transition of child to adult services and whether the model of a fragmented social care service was unfit for purpose. There was plenty of audience participation and we’re delighted that Langleys can offer the forum in which these key topics are discussed.”
Langleys' Healthcare and Welfare Unit deals with mental capacity and best interest cases in the Court of Protection, and the firm is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor. The Healthcare and Welfare Unit is hosting a national conference in York in October which will build on the successful and topical debate at the seminar.