Inspectorate finds inconsistent approach to domestic violence across police forces
There is an “unrelenting and increasing demand” for the police to respond to incidents of domestic violence, the chief inspector of Constabulary has warned.
A progress report on the police response to domestic abuse by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services found that the total number of reported domestic abuse crimes has increased [...]
Domestic violence is ‘common risk factor’ in SCR cases
Just over a third of serious incidents occurred while family court proceedings were ongoing, research by Cafcass has found.
A study of 97 Serious Case Reviews found by Cafcass found that in 36% of cases Cafcass was involved with the child at the time of the index incident.
“In a further 39% of cases we had previously [...]
Care applications rise in October
The number of care applications has risen in October, official statistics reveal.
There were 1,198 care applications made in October, according to Cafcass, up from 1,101 in September.
The figures are also a 4% rise from the October 2016 figure of 1,155 care applications.
There were a record 14,597 care applications made between April 2016 and March [...]
New chair of Residential Care Leadership Board appointed
A former ADCS president has been appointed to chair the new Residential Care Leadership Board.
Children’s minister Robert Goodwill announced that former President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services Alan Wood would take forward the recommendations made in Martin Narey’s review of residential care in 2015.
Robert Goodwill, Minister for Children and Families, said: “Children [...]
Adopted children 20 times more likely to be excluded
Adopted children are 20 times more likely to face a permanent exclusion from school than their peers, research has revealed.
A survey by the charity Adoption UK also found that adopted children are more likely to be temporarily excluded and many receive no learning during their exclusion period.
Becky White, Adoption UK’s schools development officer and the [...]
Ofsted praises progress at Dudley
“Positive progress” has been noted at Dudley Council’s children’s services department by Ofsted in a monitoring visit of the authority.
In the fourth monitoring visit since the local authority was judged to be inadequate in April 2016, inspectors said the implementation of the local authority’s improvement plan is resulting in positive progress.
“Social work practice continues to [...]
