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Parental Acrimony & False Allegations of Abuse #safeguarding

  Fair warning to be prepared for a very uncomfortable read, a shocking approach to investigation by professionals. In AS, TH, BC, NC and SH (False Allegations of Abuse) [2016] EWHC 532 (Fam) Mr Justice MacDonald has reminded professionals of the guidance they ought to follow when involved in cases in which allegations of abuse are … Continue reading Parental Acrimony & False Allegations of Abuse #safeguarding

Council cut mother’s support months before seeking care order

Judge finds Cambridgeshire council’s withdrawal of support played ‘large part’ in events that led to it arguing her child should be taken into care. 'Cambridgeshire had concerns following the end of support over the mother’s apparent failure to disclose a friendship – and potential sexual relationship (which the mother denied) – with a man who … Continue reading Council cut mother’s support months before seeking care order

Inordinate delay in issuing proceedings (£45K damages) — suesspiciousminds

  Thank you @suesspiciousmin for sharing. This is a must read for all Independent Reviewing Officers. This is a Circuit Judge decision made in my local Court (it is not a case that I or any of my colleagues are involved in, so I can write about it) so I will try to avoid much comment … Continue reading Inordinate delay in issuing proceedings (£45K damages) — suesspiciousminds

Trying to get child back after adoption order made — suesspiciousminds

This case made quite a lot of news last year – parents of a boy born in 2012, who suffered significant fractures. Within care proceedings, there was a finding of fact that the parents had caused these injuries and in 2013, a Care Order and Placement Order was made. In 2014, the child was placed […] … Continue reading Trying to get child back after adoption order made — suesspiciousminds

IRO failure to ensure satisfactory steps taken by the local authority

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE HOLMAN: 'This case raises issues both as to the end-of-life treatment of a very ill child, and as to alleged breaches of rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, in relation to which damages were claimed. These are both issues which ought to be heard, so far as possible, in … Continue reading IRO failure to ensure satisfactory steps taken by the local authority

Why do care leavers underachieve in education?

Dr Yvon Guest's avataryvonguest@resilienceworks

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I deliberately haven’t used the image of a university in this blog because I believe that educational achievement is highly individual which is why I don’t use the word success.  I also believe that  care leavers/care experienced adults  have a right to self determine their achievements rather than have goals/targets/outcomes imposed on them by others.

When I reviewed the literature on educational achievement for care leavers/care experienced adults I found that there were wide variations in the level of educational achievement for care experienced adults, but the majority achieved qualifications at the level of secondary and further education.  Whilst some care experienced adults had achieved better results than the general population overall educational achievements were lower than average (Mc Kenzie, 2003; Duncalf, 2010; Beuhler et al., 2000; CLAN, 2011; Jackson & Martin, 1998).

Why is educational success seen as important?

Educational success was seen by researchers as a possible escape…

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Professor Donald Forrester’s interview with Isabelle Trowler

Worth setting half an hour aside to watch this interview. Professor Donald Forrester speaks to Isabelle Trowler (Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, England) about his research into what makes good social work practice, and how that can be used to improve outcomes for children and families. Also in the interview Donald discusses his … Continue reading Professor Donald Forrester’s interview with Isabelle Trowler

The Role of Independent Reviewing Officers in EHC assessments and plans | Council for Disabled Children

Following a discussion with Independent Reviewing Officers, social workers and other local authority staff, this briefing was developed to help IROs in carrying out their role in respect of disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. It focuses, in particular, on education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and plans made … Continue reading The Role of Independent Reviewing Officers in EHC assessments and plans | Council for Disabled Children

Isabelle Trowler on practice, professionalism and private influence in social work

Great article by Community Care: Isabelle Trowler on practice, professionalism and private influence in social work  The Children and Social Work Bill allows government to ‘exempt’ some children’s services from certain statutory duties. Isabelle Trowler was recently interviewed by Community Care about her take on the reforms, her response to some of the concerns these have generated and the opportunities available to authorities … Continue reading Isabelle Trowler on practice, professionalism and private influence in social work

Work with Sexually Exploited Young People

Mitigating Harm: Work with Sexually Exploited Young People This a good read: Mitigating Harm: Considering Harm Reduction Principles in Work with Sexually Exploited Young People Hickle 2015 Children & Society Wiley Online Library Consideration is given to how principles of harm reduction and a public health approach to engage adults and young people in help-seeking behaviours, can be considered as part … Continue reading Work with Sexually Exploited Young People