The news that the country’s largest provider of residential care is in financial freefall should send shivers down the spines of anyone who cares. Albeit that Southern Cross has ‘cried wolf’ before about its parlous position. But this time it may well be for real - and the word is that a number of other providers are not much better placed. The squeeze will tighten dramatically in the next couple of years as councils make deep cuts in budgets for adults services and try to reduce placements in care homes. So what will happen next? Will the government step in to protect the homes of some of the most vulnerable people in our country? Or will we see another example of ‘nothing to do with us govt?’. 15 March 2011