Cafcass issued an updated version of its Practice Note: Cafcass and the Work of Independent Reviewing Officers in December 2017. The purpose of the Practice Note is to explain the functions and duties of Cafcass in relation to cases that involve Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs). There are two instances when Cafcass practitioners come into contact … Continue reading Cafcass and the Work of Independent Reviewing Officers
TheĀ Youth Justice Legal Centre (YJLC)Ā have recently collaborated with the Youth Justice LegalCentre ('YJLC') on a guide about 'county lines' and trafficking. Aimed at criminal lawyers and professionals working with children, the provides both information and practical guidance on county lines gangs, child trafficking and modern slavery defences for children.Ā For more information on child trafficking, … Continue reading Child trafficking and ‘county lines’
Thank youĀ @suesspiciousminĀ for this important read for IROs and all. This matter concerns child CD - section 20 accommodated on 14th October 2009.Ā On 28Ā MarchĀ 2010, the mother wrote to the local authority formally to withdraw her consent to CD remaining accommodated.Ā The local authority did not act on this withdrawal of consent and, instead, advised the mother … Continue reading Local Authority unlawfully caring for child for four years (section 20 abuse) | By @suesspiciousminĀ
Interesting judgement demonstrating how complex social work can be. Where the court accepts that adoption is the appropriate outcome for a sibling group ā that nothing else will do ā does the court have any power to limit the local authorityās discretion to determine the configuration of the adoptive placements? It is settled law that … Continue reading ABCD & E (Separating Siblings) and the role of the IRO
Updated statutory guidance -Ā published 26 February 2018 Promoting the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children Statutory guidance for local authorities to support looked-after and previously looked-after children's aspirations to achieve in further and higherĀ education. Main points Looked-after and previously looked-after children start with the disadvantage of their pre-care experiences and, often, have special educational … Continue reading Promoting the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children
Statutory guidance for local authorities First Published: 26 February 2018Ā By:Ā Department for Education Main points The Children & Social Work Act 2017 introduced a new duty on local authorities, to provide Personal Adviser (PA) support to all care leavers up to age 25, if they want this support. Under previous legislation, local authorities were required to … Continue reading Extending Personal Adviser support to age 25
Nagalro has reacted with ādeep concernā to government proposals for the future regulation of the social work profession. Draft regulations, published this month for consultation, would see social workers at risk of being suspended from practice by unaccountable administrators, before any formal malpractice charges have been laid against them and without the opportunity to put … Continue reading ‘Policitally controlled social work regulator threatens to breach Human Rights Act’ – @nagalro reacts with ‘deep concerns’
Guest post by Amy Woodworth -Ā Policy and Campaigns Officer atĀ Become Celebrating the rights of children in care This Care Day, Friday 16 February, is an opportunity to reflect on the rights of each child, and how we all work to defend and enhance them. We know that unfortunately, children in care do not always have … Continue reading Celebrating the rights of children in care #CareDay18
Emma Harman, barrister of 3PB, explains the important lessons that can be learned from A Local Authority v G (Parent with Learning Disability) [2017] EWFC B94 . The local authority in this case was heavily criticised for its lack of appropriate support provided to the mother in view of her learning disability needs. It was … Continue reading Local Authority Support for Parent with a Learning Disability
This case involves an appeal concerning the extent to which a family court may exercise its jurisdiction to grant a non-molestation injunction under the Family Law Act 1996 to protect a child subject of a full care order:Ā T (A Child) [2017] EWCA Civ 1889. Case synopsis A care order was made on a child, a … Continue reading Protection of a child from likely harassment and abduction by her mother
