Government seeks contractor to deliver accreditation of social workers
The government has announced the next stages for the assessment and accreditation of social workers as part of its reform programme.
The Department for Education has published a tender document seeking a contractor to set up a system to assess and accredit children and family social workers in England.
The document outlines that the Department wishes 8,000 [...]
Head-teachers unable to find mental health support for pupils
Over half of head-teachers are reporting difficulties accessing mental health services for pupils, research launched for Children’s Mental Health Week.
The study by Place2Be and the National Association of Head-Teachers found that 56% of school leaders say it is difficult to find mental health services for pupils, and more than one in five who attempt [...]
Guidance launched for social workers following rise in care applications
ADCS and Cafcass launch guidance for social workers on working together in care proceedings following steep rise in applications
Local authority leaders have united with Cafcass to develop guidance for social workers in a bid to tackle the steep rise in care applications over the last year.
Cafcass chief executive Anthony Douglas has previously warned that [...]
Guidance on family and friends care assessments launched by FRG
The Family Rights Group has launched guidance to help social workers to carry out initial family and friends care assessments.
There is currently no guidance or minimum standards covering these assessments also known as viability assessments which has led to inconsistency in the way practitioners carry them out.
“The guide aims to provide social workers with a [...]
Child on child sex offences rockets by almost 80%
The number of child on child sex offences has risen by almost 80% shocking new figures have revealed.
Recorded cases of children committing sexual offences against other children increased by 78 per cent in England and Wales between 2013 and 2016, figures obtained by Barnardo’s shows.
Last summer the children’s charity warned that child on child sexual [...]
Fostering system under pressure
The fostering system in the UK is under ‘unsustainable’ strain, the Fostering Network has warned.
The goodwill and commitment of the workforce of foster carers is holding the fostering system together, the charity adds.
The Fostering Network’s chief executive, Kevin Williams, said: “This report paints a picture of a fostering system which is under unsustainable strain [...]
