New Beginnings is a concept which has been inspired by the Flemish organisation 'Stobbe'. Comparative research carried out by Leigh (2013; 2014; 2017) into the way in which services are provided in Flanders, Belgium and England, found that in Flanders residential centres are effective in providing better outcomes for children and parents. The findings showed that once parents … Continue reading Being Ready: How do we know when parents are ready to work with us? | Jadwiga Leigh
‘Being involved in a process is not equivalent to having a voice. Voice needs to be nurtured. People need to feel able to express themselves without fear of reprisals or the expectation of not being listened to or taken seriously. Translating voices into influence requires more than simply effective ways of capturing what people want … Continue reading New: Stepping Up, Stepping Down | Professors Featherstone & Morris
This policy briefing highlights the findings from an exploratory study of care proceedings in 4 local authorities across England. The study found that the vast majority of decisions taken to initiate care proceedings were certainly reasonable but the question is whether or not they were always necessary. The study found that the difficulties facing families … Continue reading Care Proceedings in England: The case for clear blue water | Isabelle Trowler
A landmark package of support has been announced by the Department of Education and Nadhim Zahawi MP to help raise aspirations and outcomes for care leavers. A number of businesses, charities and every government departments in England have signed up to the Care Leaver Covenant, which commits to provide work based opportunities to young people leaving the … Continue reading New scheme launched to support young people leaving care – call to action
This article comprises of excerpts taken from a research review on Community Care Inform Children about cultural competence. The review was recently updated by Prospera Tedam, assistant professor in social work at United Arab Emirates University. Subscribers can read the full review, which includes models for culturally competent social work practice, on Inform Children. Culture … Continue reading Tips for social workers on cultural competence | Community Care Inform
The Covenant, run by Spectra First, is part of the government’s ambition to improve care leavers’ outcomes so they go on to lead happy and successful lives. The pledges on offer include work placements with organisations such as Liverpool FC Foundation, the Science Museum Group and Rolls-Royce to help them get their first step into … Continue reading Care Leaver Covenant – raising aspirations #readywhenyouare
A recently published Serious Case Review investigation by Newham local safeguarding children board identifies a number of opportunities to learn from the tragic death of Chris, a 14 year old victim of exploitation. The review points to a particular need to address culturally competent and anti-oppressive practice linked to the approach taken to assessment, analysis, planning, intervention … Continue reading Serious Case Review draws attention to the requirement for culturally competent and anti- oppressive practice in safeguarding children
The Department for Education is seeking to improve communication with IROs / social workers and has established an e-mail channel and a new e-newsletter for children and family social workers. Quarterly bulletins from the Department for Education will provide the latest news, guidance on best practice and updates from innovation projects across the country. Sign-up to … Continue reading News from the Department for Education
By Luke Haynes and Mithran Samuel The government will amend its planned replacement to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) so that it applies to 16- and 17-year-olds, not just those over 18, a minister has confirmed. Junior health minister Lord O’Shaughnessy pledged to amend the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill yesterday so that the proposed … Continue reading Government to amend deprivation of liberty scheme to cover 16- and 17-year-olds
Brigid Featherstone and Amanda Boorman talk about their experiences of respite support and how it might be used to support birth families before a child is removed ... Read full piece at source: Redistributing care: why respite support should exist for struggling birth families, not just foster carers and adopters
