Many care leavers go on to achieve amazing things in higher education

Propel is a higher education website for care leavers, helping them to make an informed decision about HE and access the support they are entitled to. Propel is providedĀ byĀ The Who Cares? Trust, a voice for children in care. Worth taking a look at this great resource and spreading the word. Link: Propel

ā€œAdoption without parental consent is wrong in principleā€

The Family Justice Council held its 9thĀ Annual Debate and panel discussion on Tuesday 24 November 2015. The topic for this year’s debate was adoption. The motion read: ā€œAdoption without parental consent is wrong in principleā€ The event was chaired by theĀ Rt. Hon. Sir James Munby,Ā President of the Family Division of the High Court, and Chairman … Continue reading ā€œAdoption without parental consent is wrong in principleā€

New research: The Educational Progress of Looked After Children

http:// 'Need greater focus on progress over time' #EducationInCare pic.twitter.com/fmcdS8op8E — ReesCentre (@ReesCentre) November 30, 2015 Recommended reading Great piece of research worth reading. This research helpfully challenges some of the negative narratives about the impact of care for Children Looked After (CLA). Executive Summary available onĀ pages 4-7. Download at source here:Ā The Educational Progress of … Continue reading New research: The Educational Progress of Looked After Children

Children’s attachment

Attachment in children and young people who are adopted from care, in care or at high risk of going into care NICE have produced helpful guidelinesĀ covering the identification, assessment and treatment of attachment difficulties in children and young people up to age 18 who are adopted from care, in special guardianship, looked after by local … Continue reading Children’s attachment

ā€˜Without a life story, a child is adrift, disconnected and vulnerable’ – Dr Bruce Perry on the value and power of the Life Story approach

By Dr Bruce Perry, adapted from the Foreword to the new book, Life Story Therapy with Traumatized Children,Ā by Richard Rose. EXTRACT A fundamental and permeating strength of humankind is the capacity to form and maintain relationships – the capacity to belong. It is in the context of our clan, community and culture that we are … Continue reading ā€˜Without a life story, a child is adrift, disconnected and vulnerable’ – Dr Bruce Perry on the value and power of the Life Story approach

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

Safeguarding chair’s fear for children’s services’ following spending review

David Jones, chair of the Independent Association of Local Safeguarding Children Board chairs, said it is an unpredictable time for children's services with the spending review looming Read more at source: Safeguarding chair’s fear for children’s services’ following spending review

Adoption: Sir Martin Narey’s Resignation as Chair of the Leadership Board

.@CoramBAAF@AdoptionUK@educationgovuk@IsabelleTrowler @FamilyFuturesUKI'm stepping back from adoption: https://t.co/rVA8h1JphS — Sir Martin Narey (@martinnarey) November 17, 2015 A statement by Sir Martin Narey "About my stepping down from the ALB" //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js In 2010 as I prepared to retire from Barnardo’s, and contemplated all the things I might do in retirement, I was asked by The Times to … Continue reading Adoption: Sir Martin Narey’s Resignation as Chair of the Leadership Board

Social worker criticised for flawed Re B-S assessment in care proceedings

Social worker criticised for flawed Re B-S assessment in care proceedings https://t.co/SlIhNSPrCR There are too many closed minds! — Russ Martin (@iRussMartin) November 17, 2015 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js   She also put too much emphasis on the report of a psychologist who did not know all of the evidence, rather than making her own assessment Read at … Continue reading Social worker criticised for flawed Re B-S assessment in care proceedings

NEW Young Parents Project

A Call for Evidence The Family Rights GroupĀ areĀ circulating a call for evidence to try and identify the approaches which local authorities are taking to working with younger parents (many of whom are care experienced or care leavers themselves). Responses can be given verbally or via email (with as much or as little detail as those … Continue reading NEW Young Parents Project