DfE launches consultation on extending flexibilities to social workers amid pandemic
The government is consulting over plans to extend flexibilities for local authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The consultation, which runs until 28 February, is seeking views on a proposal to extend or amend a limited number of flexibilities within the Adoption and Children (Coronavirus) (Amendment) (No'.2) Regulations 2020, in relation to Medical Reports, Virtual Visits and [...]
Gang exploitation shows ‘no sign of abating’
A lack of coordination between different agencies responsible for helping to keep vulnerable children safe is leaving them at risk of exploitation, a report by the children’s commissioner for England has found.
In her report assessing how effectively existing infrastructure within local authorities is being used to deliver [...]
Two thirds of victims and survivors do not disclose abuse at the time it occurs
More than two thirds of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse did not tell anyone about the abuse at the time, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has found.
The analysis of The Inquiry’s Truth Project found that one in 10 victims and survivors disclosed the abuse for the first time when they spoke [...]
Social workers in Wales stretched to a point never seen before
Social workers are stretched and exhausted, children’s services leaders in Wales have warned.
President of ADSS Cymru Nicola Stubbins said the pressure to maintain the delivery of social work services is becoming more and more challenging and taking its toll on frontline workers.
“Social care staff are stretched now to a point I've never seen before and [...]
Failing to intervene early in children’s mental health could be ‘catastrophic’
The four governments in the UK must take steps to protect the mental health of vulnerable young people, Adoption UK has warned.
Children who experience trauma in their earliest years are likely to experience mental health problems and failing to intervene with these children could be “catastrophic” in adolescence and beyond, the charity states.
Adoption UK’s chief [...]
Government appoints education recovery commissioner
An education recovery commissioner has been appointed by the prime minister to ensure children and young people recover learning lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boris Johnson announced the appointment of Sir Kevan Collins as the government’s Education Recovery Commissioner, to oversee a comprehensive programme of catch-up aimed at young people who have lost [...]
