Government launches consultation on extending relaxation of certain care duties
The government has launched a consultation on plans to extend several of the measures that were introduced to relax statutory duties for social workers in response to COVID-19.
The Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020, or statutory instrument 445 was introduced in April with minimal consultation and without the parliamentary process [...]
Early years adviser to lead review into health outcomes of babies and young children
The prime minister has commissioned Early Years Health Adviser Andrea Leadsom to head a new review into improving health outcomes of babies and young children.
The first 1,000 days of childhood are critical for development, and have a significant impact on physical health, mental health and opportunity throughout life. However, children living in households in [...]
St Giles provided with funding to tackle county lines activity
The Home Office has provided funding for the charity St Giles to provide a support service for vulnerable children exploited through county lines.
The project aims to help 225 young people exit or reduce their county line activity over the next nine months. The Home office has provided the charity with £860,800 in funding for [...]
50% rise in reports of online child sexual abuse material during lockdown
There has been a 50% rise in reports of child sexual abuse material online from members of the public during lockdown, according to the Internet Watch Foundation.
The IWF received 44,809 reports from members of the public between March 23 and July 9 this year, compared to 29,698 reports in the same period in 2019 [...]
Children’s minister: flexibilities on care legislation ‘no longer required’
The government has confirmed that local authorities should no longer be using flexibilities set out in the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 and, where they are used, there should be “strong justification”.
The Department for Education introduced secondary legislation in April in response to COVID-19 and the problems it presented [...]
DfE urged to secure sufficient resources for children’s services
Directors of children’s services have urged the Department for Education to lead the charge for securing sufficient resources for children’s services in the forthcoming spending review.
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services said that Covid-19 has increased cost pressures on councils who have a legal duty to set a balanced budget. While three injections [...]
