Ofsted: Audit of children in care needed
Ofsted has urged a proper national audit of the needs of children in care.
In research into why do children go into children’s homes, Ofsted says that in order to understand sufficiency properly, there is a need to better understand the extent of the needs of children in care, and better understand the dynamics experienced [...]
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 that the [...]
Multi-disciplinary approach to children on edge of care
Children on the edge of care remain a concern for social workers and local authorities alike.
Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi recently said in December in a debate following the sentencing of Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes over the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes: “We have to make sure, if there is any evidence, [...]
Adoption funding boost to improve matching
The government is investing £160 million over three years to support adoption of children in care.
The government’s National Adoption Strategy was published last summer and figures released show that there has been a 23 per cent increase in the number of families approved to adopt, from 1,930 in September 2020 to 2,370 at [...]
Children in care from BME backgrounds face ‘double whammy’ of disadvantage
Inequalities in the youth justice system regarding ethnic minority children and children in care has intensified with minoritised children in care likely to bear the brunt, according to research from Lancaster University.
Children in care who come from an ethnic minority background can experience a 'double whammy' of disadvantage when it comes to youth justice [...]
High Court hearing over children in care aged 16 and 17 in inappropriate placements
Children aged 16 and 17 in care have been discriminated against as a result of secondary legislation introduced which only protects children aged 15 and under, the High Court will hear.
The Department for Education introduced secondary legislation requiring local authorities to always place children in care in settings which are regulated and provide care [...]
