Applications for care orders have hit aĀ record high for the month of March. Statistics released by Cafcass show 12,741 care applications involving 21,666 children submittedĀ between April 2015 and March 2016. ItĀ 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 ā up 14% … Continue reading New care applications at an all-time high for the month of March
Tag: #Safeguarding
Mental Capacity Act (MCA): e-Learning course
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
Mothers and children recovering together after domestic abuse
Research in Practice has published an article on mothers and children recovering together after domestic abuse. It includes findings from the NSPCCās Domestic Abuse Recovering Together (DART) programme. āYou see (domestic abuse) from your point of view, but to hear from a child and to see it from their point of view is totally different; … Continue reading Mothers and children recovering together after domestic abuse
ECtHR condemns the punishment of women living in poverty and the ārescuingā of their children
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.
Multi-agency guidelines on #FGM
Multi-agency guidelines on FGM for those with statutory duties to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. This multi-agency guidance on female genital mutilation (FGM) should be read and followed by all IROs inĀ England and Wales who are under statutory duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. It replaces female genital … Continue reading Multi-agency guidelines on #FGM
1st Ofsted āoutstandingā ratings for childrenās services
Two local authorities have become the first to be awarded āoutstandingā judgments under Ofstedās inspection framework for childrenās services. Out of the three authorities that make up the ātri-boroughā (Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, and Westminster councils), both Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster were rated outstanding, while Hammersmith and Fulham was rated āgoodā. … Continue reading 1st Ofsted āoutstandingā ratings for childrenās services
Push for academy schools raises āgrave concernsā about impact on safeguarding
'Government plans to remove local authority influence over schools risks damaging child safeguarding, the Association of Directors of Childrenās Services (ADCS) has warned. The governmentās 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 āgrave concernsā about impact on safeguarding
High Court finds the local authority’s reasoning was āflawedā
Another ruling worth a mention. It involves aĀ High Court ruling on a teenager 'C' who refused to live with her family 'because they were not strict enough Muslims'. Mr Justice HaydenĀ ruled that the localĀ children's services should have provided 'C', who had attempted to travel to Syria, with alternative accommodation. The Local Authority's decision making was … Continue reading High Court finds the local authority’s reasoning was āflawedā
Deprivation of liberty and young people ā what social workers need to know
Neil Allen of 39 Essex Chambers explains the limits of parental responsibility in deprivations of liberty. See useful summary of key issues belowĀ and read the full article via Community Care: here Other relevant publications ReadĀ The Law Society (2015) Deprivation of liberty: a practical guide.Ā Chapter 9: Identifying a deprivation of liberty: a practical guide Under 18s … Continue reading Deprivation of liberty and young people ā what social workers need to know
Call to Action on 15th March 2016 #unwisedecision #mca
Photo credit: ubershibs via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND People have a right to make decisions, even unwise ones, if they have the capacity to do so The Mental Capacity Act asserts peopleās right to make decisions, even unwise ones, if they have the capacity to do so. The Mental Capacity Act and the code of … Continue reading Call to Action on 15th March 2016 #unwisedecision #mca
