Category: Policy, Guidance & Law

“I cannot even begin to describe how misleading, and therefore how irresponsible, this headline is” #familylaw

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in Care / Permanence, News, Policy, Guidance & Law

I cannot even begin to describe how misleading, and therefore how irresponsible, this headline is #familylaw https://t.co/jPELqP5yrS — Alison Burge (@AlisonJBurge) January 19, 2016 The headline 'Four-year-old boy will be taken away from parents with learning difficulties because social workers say he’s ‘not getting the cuddles he needs’ Ruling by Sir James Munby, President of … Continue reading “I cannot even begin to describe how misleading, and therefore how irresponsible, this headline is” #familylaw

Children’s social work reform

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in News, Policy, Guidance & Law

The government has set out its strategy for social work reform. Read more here: Children’s social care reform: a vision for change: Department for Education - Policy Paper Children's social work reform inquiry launched: Commons Select Committee Nicky Morgan unveils plans to transform children's social work: Press release Some wider comments and discussion ADCS Response to Government Announcements: Statement … Continue reading Children’s social work reform

What does David Cameron’s improvement agenda mean for children’s social care?

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in Policy, Guidance & Law

When and how will the government intervene in children's services, and is privatisation part of David Cameron's agenda? Read more here: Community Care  Read the full article: What does David Cameron’s improvement agenda mean for children’s social care?

Law will be changed to increase adoptions, government announces

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in Care / Permanence, News, Policy, Guidance & Law

Education secretary Nicky Morgan has today unveiled new measures to prioritise permanence and therapeutic care in placement decisions for vulnerable children. “Every single day a child spends waiting in care is a further delay to a life full of love and stability – and this simply isn’t good enough. We have a responsibility to transform … Continue reading Law will be changed to increase adoptions, government announces

Keeping children safe in education

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in Education, News, Policy, Guidance & Law, Safeguarding

Views are being sought on proposed revisions to existing statutory guidance for schools on keeping children safe. These include: Increasing the focus on the importance of a child centred and coordinated approach to safeguarding; Emphasising further the role that individual staff play in safeguarding and the fact it is everyone’s responsibility; Highlighting the importance of early help … Continue reading Keeping children safe in education

Research and analysis Investigating special guardianship

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in Care / Permanence, News, Policy, Guidance & Law

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: 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

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in News, Policy, Guidance & Law, Rights, responsibilities & entitlements

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 has notified the Department for Education of the need for updates to the IRO Handbook. We hope it 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

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in News, Policy, Guidance & Law, Resources

Cafcass have introduced a DNA testing service as an additional way to help reach positive and stable arrangements for children and young people involved in proceedings more quickly. Knowing a child's paternity is an 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

Female Genital Mutilation #ENDFGM

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in Policy, Guidance & Law, Resources

Serious Crime Act 2015 Duties under this Act make professionals' responsibilities absolutely clear: read more Mandatory reporting requirements: read more Youth-led website launched to end FGM A new website has been launched by teenagers to help educate other young people about FGM and what steps they can take to stop it. Everybody’s Business is a … Continue reading Female Genital Mutilation #ENDFGM

On the precipice …

by National IRO Managers Partnership (NIROMP), posted in Policy, Guidance & Law

On the precipice of further austerity, councils are failing vulnerable children Author: Donna Peach, University of Salford. Originally published in: The Conversation Despite being formed as a means of protecting children, the “care system” has always failed too many of them. New figures released by Ofsted have highlighted the local authority departments that provide poor quality services … Continue reading On the precipice …