Soaring care applications due to ‘local authority behaviour’
Sir James Munby warns that there is no strategy for tackling the current “crisis” in the care system
The president of the family courts division has spoken out about the “crisis” in the care system which has resulted in a massive surge of new cases coming through the courts.
Sir James Munby said the courts were “ill [...]
It’s time for a national cap on child protection caseloads
Efforts to get councils to voluntarily set reasonable workloads have failed. It’s time for a rethink, argues Social Work Tutor.
In my time in child protection social work, I’ve had caseloads ranging from eight to forty-six. Having progressed from student to senior social worker you’d think the number, and complexity, of cases would have naturally [...]
DfE announces commissioner for Reading
Education secretary announces children’s commissioner at Reading Council following ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating
The secretary of state for education has appointed a commissioner at reading Council after its children’s services were rated inadequate by Ofsted.
The inspection of Reading Council was carried out in May-June this year and the final report published in August slammed the “serious, persistent [...]
Two councils outline deep cuts to children's centres
Two local authorities have outlined plans to cut millions of pounds from their children's centres budgets.
Leicester City Council has proposed cuts to the range of services delivered in its 23 children's centres in a bid to save £4m. There will also be "significant" cuts to staff numbers.
Kirklees Council has also published plans to cut its [...]
No FGM prosecutions made in 30 years
No successful prosecutions against perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation have been made in the 30 years since it has been made illegal, it has emerged.
The Home Affairs Select Committee slammed the “lamentable record” as “beyond belief” saying it said would deter those brave enough to step forward and report this horrendous crime.
Interim chair of [...]
Why Jo Brand is making a comedy about social workers
A preview of Damned, the social work comedy from Jo Brand, which is set to air this month
Photo: Channel 4
It’s a new day in children’s services at Elm Heath Council – the fictional setting for Jo Brand’s new sitcom Damned.
For senior social worker Al (Alan Davies), the first challenge is to get [...]
