Fast-track schemes ‘address shortage of social workers’
Fast-track training schemes will not address the shortage of social workers professor Ray Jones has warned.
In his written submission to the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into Social Work Reform, Jones said curtailed fast track schemes would not provide the required workforce nor address the current issue of a shortage and instability in the front-line [...]
Government announces £22m Staying Put funding
Government funding will support young people to remain with foster carers after turning 18 until their 21st birthday
Government funding of £22m will enable young people to remain in their foster placements until they are 21 years old.
The ‘Staying Put’ duty was introduced in the Children and Families Act 2014 and placed a requirement on local [...]
Judge awards child £5K for human rights breach
Family judge awards child £5k after his human rights were breached while in local authority care
A 10-year-old boy whose human rights were breached while he was in local authority care has been awarded £5,000 in damages.
A three-year delay by Worcestershire Council in revoking a placement order meant the child was unable to develop a relationship [...]
CAFCASS: Care applications hit record high
The number of applications for children to be taken into the care system in England has hit an all-time high.
Figures published today show that in February a total of 1,225 care applications were made – the highest-ever figure recorded by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass).
It represents an increase of 9.4 [...]
Inadequate authorities should be inspected after two years, says ADCS
Association of Directors of Children’s Services said re-inspecting within a shorter timescale is highly disruptive
The re-inspection of a local authority rated inadequate should be at least 24 months after the original inspection, the Association of Directors of Children’s Services has said.
Ofsted published a consultation document which closed last week seeking views on timescales around the [...]
Dramatic rise in child sexual offences
Figures show greater need for therapeutic interventions for child sexual abuse victims
There is a greater need for therapeutic interventions for victims of child sexual abuse after a surge in the number of reported offences has emerged.
The NSPCC has reported that there were 41,457 child sex offences recorded in England and Wales last year. This [...]
