Research and analysis Investigating special guardianship

Qualitative case file analysis commissioned by the Department for Education looked into the effect of the 26-week time limit for standard care cases and court judgements on the use of special guardianship. Read the findings from analysis of local authority case files here:Ā Special guardianship: qualitative case file analysis The government has also used a Call … Continue reading Research and analysis Investigating special guardianship

Parents who record child protection meetings: what social workers need to know

A group of lawyers has produced guidance after identifying a number of councils not fully understanding the law around recording child protection meetings. The National IRO Managers Partnership hasĀ notified the Department for Education ofĀ the need for updates to theĀ IRO Handbook. We hope itĀ will be a priority for 2016. Read guidance by the Transparency Project (December … Continue reading Parents who record child protection meetings: what social workers need to know

Cafcass’ new DNA testing service

Cafcass have introduced a DNA testing service asĀ an additional way toĀ help reach positive and stable arrangements for children and young people involved in proceedings more quickly. Knowing a child's paternity is anĀ important issue and every child has a right to know their origins. This testing service means that any doubts regarding paternity can now be … Continue reading Cafcass’ new DNA testing service

Independent reviewing officers:

  Improving outcomes for children and young people Matthew Brazier HMI, National Lead (Looked-after children) gaveĀ this helpful presentation atĀ a regional workshop for IROs on 5 December 2015. The presentation includes a briefĀ overview, descriptors of what constitutes a 'good' and some recurring themes:Ā  1. Independent reviewing officers: improving outcomes for children and young people Matthew Brazier … Continue reading Independent reviewing officers:

South East IRO Network

The South East region is to holdĀ a one dayĀ Conference event ā€˜Planning for Permanence’ on 20th May 2016, 9.30 registration for 10:00 am start. Finish by 4:30pm. Venue: Leatherhead Leisure Centre,Ā Guildford Road Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9BL To book your place on 'Planning for Permanence' event:Ā Click hereĀ  Find out more about the work of the South East … Continue reading South East IRO Network

Preparing for court

Source:Ā Community Care Inform Author: Michael Jones, Barrister, 15 Winckley Square This helpful guide explains the dos and don’ts of balance-sheet evidence and how to comply with the Re B-S judgement.   This publication has also been added to ourĀ site's library section.

Spending Review

http:// We are covering the Spending Review live from 9am. Find out what it means for #local gov https://t.co/u5pDxUMnBp pic.twitter.com/8WDwVwR9xg — LGAcomms (@LGAcomms) November 25, 2015 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsLocal Government Association (LGA) (2015) A summary 'The LGA believes the Spending Review should: Enable wider integration of social care and health services to deliver savings and improve outcomesĀ  … Continue reading Spending Review

High-handed dismissal of an application for a direction for DNA testing on behalf of a child

A child’s right to know the identity of their biological parentsA child’s right to know the identity of their biological parentshttp:// Examples of poor decision making given in Martha Cover's #publiclawupdate inc Re A [2015] EWCA Civ 133 https://t.co/QbxVse4lGU #alcconf2015 — ALC (@Tweets_ALC) November 21, 2015 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Re A (Children) [2015] EWCA Civ 133 This … Continue reading High-handed dismissal of an application for a direction for DNA testing on behalf of a child

Government faces criticism in House of Lords for ā€˜preferential’ adoption focus

"A member of the House of Lords has criticised the governmentĀ for an unfair focus on adoption reform above other permanency options, during a debate on the new education and adoption bill. Lord Watson of Invergowrie, Labour’s spokesperson on education in the Lords, said it was ā€œwrong for adoption to be singled out for preferential treatment … Continue reading Government faces criticism in House of Lords for ā€˜preferential’ adoption focus