"Rethinking Children’s Services Fit for the Future?" Worth making time to read this excellent collection of essays, exploring new perspectives on how to do better for children and families across the country in the context of increased demand and reduced funding. The report published by Catch22 and the National Children’s Bureau (NCB).‘Rethinking Children’s Services: Fit … Continue reading How to do better for children and families across the country
Applications for care orders have hit a record high for the month of March. Statistics released by Cafcass show 12,741 care applications involving 21,666 children submitted between April 2015 and March 2016. It represents a 14% increase on the 11,159 applications for 19,420 children made in 2014/15. In March 2016, Cafcass received 1,221 care applications – up 14% … Continue reading New care applications at an all-time high for the month of March
Published by SCIE: March 2016 | Free to use | Learning Management System compatible This resource provided by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) explores the Mental Capacity Act 2005, including best interests decision-making, and how to support people to make their own decisions. Course modules Introducing the Mental Capacity Act Supporting people to … Continue reading Mental Capacity Act (MCA): e-Learning course
Social care’s relationship with adolescents is in the limelight. Issues facing children in care and care leavers are unique and areas the government wants to prioritise. The Department for Education has expressed a particular interest in providing a consistent approach to support across adolescence in care and leaving care. It wants to fund new ways of … Continue reading What do the government’s innovation plans tell us about the future of children’s services?
This is a good read and begs the question: are social services taking some children into care too rashly and without making enough effort to support families? And with what consequences? Recommended read good for critical reflection with colleagues - thinking about the rights of the child and his or her parents.
ADCS has worked in partnership with Cafcass and ADSS Cymru to produce this practice guidance: Practice Guidance for the use of S20 provision in the Children Act 1989 in England and the Equivalent S76 of the Social Services and well-being (Wales) Act 2014 In Wales The guidance has also been added to our Library page … Continue reading Practice Guidance for the use of S20 provision
'Government plans to remove local authority influence over schools risks damaging child safeguarding, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has warned. The government’s white paper also proposes widening the role of virtual school heads to include adopted children in response to figures showing that adopted children underperform in education relative to their peers'. … Continue reading Push for academy schools raises ‘grave concerns’ about impact on safeguarding
A new strategy to transform the life chances of children in care waiting to be adopted has been unveiled by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan: New #adoption strategy unveiled - 'A watershed moment' https://t.co/CZkDJcWAhT @NickyMorgan01 pic.twitter.com/J0SXyfXbD2 — DfE (@educationgovuk) March 27, 2016 Andrew Christie has been appointed to drive forward the strategy: Andrew Christie has been … Continue reading New blueprint for adoption
IROs and social workers will be interested to read this piece about relinquished babies. Relinquished baby, chapter and some verses Author: suesspiciousminds First posted: 8 Mar 2016 via suesspiciousminds 'I just ended up doing this long summary of the various issues that arise and where to find the answers in case law, so I thought it might … Continue reading Relinquished baby
The Immigration Bill, currently being considered by Parliament, contains measures to reform local authority support for certain groups of destitute families and care leavers. IROs need to be aware of the implications of the Bill as support for care leavers who have no status will be very limited. IROs and children in care teams with … Continue reading Immigration Bill Reforms: Factsheets & Guidance
