German parents whose four children were taken into care because they refused to send them to school did not have their human rights breached, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled. Read full piece at source: Home education: Court rules against German Christian family
Underpinned by political and financial investment and a “skilled and motivated workforce”, Barnsley council’s children’s services has secured an across the board rating of ‘good’ in its latest Ofsted inspection towards the end of 2018. Ofsted highlighted the council’s “excellent” workforce stability. The watchdog reported that social workers with high caseloads felt they were able … Continue reading The Ofsted Interview: ‘Children and families need consistency of social worker’
Severe funding shortages for social services that protect vulnerable children have pushed nearly nine in 10 councils into the red, new analysis by the LGA reveals today, prompting warnings that funding for children’s care is now in a country-wide crisis. New figures show that a total of 133 out of 152 councils (88 per cent) … Continue reading Children’s care cash crisis: nine in 10 councils pushed into the red | LGA
The Department for Education could face legal action for publishing guidance that might lead local authorities to break laws protecting vulnerable children, a charity has claimed. Read full piece at source: DfE faces legal action over 'misleading' safeguarding guidance | Children & Young People Now
Ofsted has awarded a local authority children's services department an outstanding judgment in recognition of its unrelenting "pursuit of excellence for children". Essex children's services are now "outstanding" Inspectors upped Essex County Council'soverall judgment following an inspection in November 2018, after it found the department to be "good" in 2014. It was rated "inadequate" … Continue reading ‘Inspirational’ DCS secures top Ofsted rating | Children & Young People Now
Here at NIROMP we would like to thank you all for your continued support. On this first day of 2019, we are taking a moment to share our top ten most-read posts of 2018. Happy New Year! "BT & GT (Children : twins – adoption) [2018] EWFC 76 (29 November 2018)" "Multiple failings, IRO and whistleblowing | … Continue reading 2018 most-read posts
Children's services in Leeds has been praised by Ofsted for delivering on its commitment to become a 'child-friendly city'. The inspectorate judged children's services run by Leeds City Council to be "outstanding" for overall effectiveness and in the key areas of leadership and services for children that need help and protection. It was judged "good" for … Continue reading Children’s services at ‘child-friendly city’ receives ‘outstanding’ rating | Children & Young People Now
It only takes a few minutes in Sir Alan Wood’s company before his reputation for plain speaking shows itself to be accurate. The chair of the children’s social care What Works Centre, who has been in post since early summer, begins advancing an argument that his new organisation’s role shouldn’t extend to driving reform. “It’s … Continue reading ‘Social work isn’t falling to bits – it has some deep challenges to which we can provide remedies’ | Community Care
Thank you to Sueesspiciousminds for his post of 10th December 2018 regards the matter of: A & B (care orders and placement orders – failures) [2018] EWFC 72 (30 November 2018) http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/HCJ/2018/72.html The following extract is from Mr Justice Keehan's judgement: 50.I am appalled at the manner in which and the serial occasions on which the … Continue reading Multiple failings, IRO and whistleblowing | Suesspiciousminds
Cuts by local authority funding are already impacting on children’s services, Ofsted has said. Ofsted’s national director for social care, Yvette Stanley, told Community Care that while most local areas are managing to make savings without compromising frontline services, “we are seeing resources reduced in terms of the whole continuum of early help and prevention … Continue reading Ofsted warns against ‘false economy’ of cuts to preventive services loading pressures onto social care | Community Care
