SEND Green Paper published following review
A simplified Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be introduced by the government as part of its reforms of the SEND system outlined in a green paper by digitising plans to make them more flexible, reducing bureaucracy and supporting parents to make informed choices
There will be a list of appropriate placements [...]
Children in receipt of free school meals twice as likely to be absent during pandemic
The absence rates of children in receipt of free school meals was more than double that of children who were not eligible in 2020-2021, Department for Education statistics have revealed.
The overall absence rate for pupils eligible for free school meals was 7.8% across the full year, more than double the rate for [...]
Surge of young people could be drawn into youth justice system following pandemic
There is a significant risk of a surge in the number of children drawn into the youth justice system following the pandemic, a report by the Alliance for Youth Justice has found.
The briefing finds:
Exacerbated vulnerabilities and inequalities: the impact of COVID-19 on children is devastating, as not only have pre-existing vulnerabilities been [...]
Backlog in CSA cases rises by 70%
The backlog of child sexual abuse cases has risen by 70% leaving thousands of children in limbo and lacking support, a leading children’s charity has warned.
The NSPCC made a Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Justice which showed that the number of outstanding CSA cases increased by 70% last year [...]
High Court rejects claim that 16 and 17 year olds are discriminated against over regulated accommodation
The High Court has ruled that secondary legislation which requires local authorities to always place children in care aged 15 and younger in settings which are regulated and provide care does not discriminate against 16 and 17-year olds.
Children rights charity Article 39 had claimed that the introduction of the secondary legislation meant [...]
Social workers ‘to take negative hit’ over Arthur and Star deaths
The social work profession will likely take “a negative hit” when the forthcoming Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews into the deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson are published, Dr Sharon Shoesmith has warned.
Dr Sharon ShoesmithArthur Labinjo-Hughes died on 17 June 2020 aged six years old following months of abuse and neglect. [...]
