23,000 reports of children missing from residential homes
There were more than 23,000 ‘missing incidents’ involving children in residential homes in England in 2017, it has emerged.
In response to a parliamentary question, it was revealed that between 2015 and 2017, there had been more than 50,000 reports of children missing from children’s homes.
The figures, published in response to a question tabled by Labour [...]
Snapshot: The Fostering Sector
The number of approved fostering households continues to decrease steadily, Ofsted has warned.
In a release by the inspectorate looking at fostering between 2016-17, it emerged that there were 43,710 approved fostering households at 31 March 2017, which is a 1% decrease from March 2016 when there were 44,320 approved households. The overall number has [...]
New President of Family Division appointed
The Rt Hon Sir Andrew McFarlane has been appointed as the President of the Family Division.
Sir Andrew McFarlane, who was called to the Bar in 1977 and took Silk (Queen’s Counsel) in 1998, had his appointment as the President of the Family Division approved by the Queen. He will take up the role on 28 [...]
Special Report: Reaction to the fostering stocktake
The fostering stocktake was recently published by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers. Need refreshing on the findings and recommendations? See Children First’s recent special report.
Overall, the stocktake’s in-depth focus has been praised. The Fostering Network said: “We are pleased to see that the stocktake has made recommendations that pick up [...]
Funding for children of alcohol-dependent parents is insufficient
Council leaders have warned that the government funding to help the children of alcoholic parents does not go far enough.
Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Hunt revealed a package of measured designed to help the estimated 200,000 children and young people living with an alcohol-dependent parent, backed with £6m of funding.
However, the Local Government [...]
Expert’s Corner with Philip King
Clare Jerrom speaks to Philip King about his views on the fostering stocktake
The recently published Fostering Stocktake appears to have divided opinion among the children’s services sector. While its thoroughness and spotlight on the foster care sector has been applauded by many, others have slammed some of the recommendations and [...]
