The social care sector is due for major investment, it has emerged.

Elderly and disabled people will have their health and personal needs assessed before local councils pay money directly into their bank accounts.

Such money will then allow them to choose their own social care as they see fit.

An extra £520 million is to be issued to local authorities over the next three years to fund such changes.

In turn, the news may be of interest to those seeking social work jobs and public sector leaders looking to make use of regional recruitment portals to attract such candidates.

Commenting on the announcement, Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "This landmark agreement between local and central government should provide the foundation to give people independence, choice and dignity over their lives."

By working together as network partners, he claimed that local and central government bodies can "provide a modern, efficient service that should give people the best possible care at the right time and in the right place".

Earlier this year, it was revealed that the health and social care sector is to benefit from a £151 million skills and jobs investment by the European Social Fund.

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