Children and Justice

'Your Right to be Heard' is a punchy, helpful youtube. It emphasises the importance of children and young people's rights and entitlements - not least their right to have a say and be heard. Worth sharing please.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FFJZFM5Cn8

By your leave – life after care

  What is it like to head out into the world after a life in care?Ā  Antonia Charlesworth interviews care leavers and assesses the government’s latest policies. EXTRACT "For some, turning 18 will mean starting university, for others a first car, for many their first legal drink. These things mark a transition into adulthood and … Continue reading By your leave – life after care

Outcomes for young people leaving care

The Public Accounts Committee has confirmedĀ thatĀ outcomes for young people leaving care are "poor and worsening" EXTRACT "There has been a systemic failing in the provision of support to vulnerable care leavers. The quality and cost of support that local authorities give to care leavers varies unacceptably across the country and outcomes for young people leaving … Continue reading Outcomes for young people leaving care

Assessment of Special Guardians

The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and Cafcass have issued a joint note on the Assessment of Special Guardians for children in care proceedings applications. EXTRACT "In short, Special Guardianship Orders should neither be recommended nor endorsed nor determined expediently where the test and bar for a carer to pass is lower than … Continue reading Assessment of Special Guardians

Review of Children’s Residential Care

The government has commissioned Sir Martin Narey, former Head of the Prison and Probation Services in England and Wales and CEO of children’s charity Barnardo’s, to undertake an independent review of children's residential care. Announcing the review at Prime Minister’s questions, the Prime Minister said: "We need to make sure that our residential care homes … Continue reading Review of Children’s Residential Care

Childrens home incidents

Police chief urges leniency around childrens home incidents   Abstract Olivia Pinkney, children and young people’s lead at the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and deputy chief constable of Sussex Police, has stated that local police services and children’s homes providers shouldĀ work together to reduce the number of times officers are called out to residential … Continue reading Childrens home incidents

Young people talk to Who Cares Trust about social workers

Important messages here from young people: For today’s #carematters young people talk to us about social workers. — The Who Cares? Trust (@WhoCaresTrust) October 27, 2015 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js ā€œWhen I was 4-6 I remember lots of people in a room all talking about me. I didn’t know what was going on.ā€ YP #Carematters — The Who … Continue reading Young people talk to Who Cares Trust about social workers

Population of children in care in England reaches 30-year high

Government statistics reveal that the child in care population is nowĀ higher than at any point since 1985 Care applicationĀ statistics Ā alsoĀ show that the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) has received 6,031 care applications in England in the six months to September 2015, an average of 1,005 a month. MoreĀ headlines: Upward trend: If … Continue reading Population of children in care in England reaches 30-year high

Promoting the education of looked-after children

Multi-agency Training and Tool "Charlie" In response to the nationally recognised poor educational outcomes for Children Looked After, Somerset Children’s services have developed a multi-agency training tool called ā€œCharlieā€. Charlie is a fictional character, a looked-after child. He has finished his year 11 studies and disappointingly has not achieved his expected targets. Background We know … Continue reading Promoting the education of looked-after children

Family Rights Group: Children’s Contact

RelevantĀ reading for all IROs The Family Rights Group has carried out research into the contact that children being raised in family and friends care have with their parents and others. Read at source via the links below: Chapter 1: Introduction and acknowledgements Chapter 2: Legal framework Chapter 3: Key messages from international literature Chapter 4: … Continue reading Family Rights Group: Children’s Contact