Fathers in repeated care proceedings find it hard to trust social workers
Significant childhood adversity, early entry to parenthood and persistent economic hardship were key issues for dads who experienced repeat involvement in care proceedings, according to research.
The study by the University of East Anglia and Lancaster University found that mothers and fathers involved in care proceedings invoke very different public and professional responses, with fathers [...]
Professionals back supervision orders as an option in care proceedings
Nine out of 10 professionals believe standalone supervision orders should continue to be an option in care proceedings, according to a survey by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory.
Professionals felt that supervision orders should continue to be available during care proceedings, mainly due to the need for a proportionate order between a care order and [...]
County line gangs change tactics during lockdown
County line gangs are increasingly targeting vulnerable children and young people in county-towns, as well as moving young people across county lines, a report by The National Youth Agency has warned.
Headline statistics reporting fewer drug-related arrests as a result of a concerted police response which resulted in arrests up and 102 county lines closed, [...]
Troubled Families scheme extended and renamed Supporting Families Programme
The government has launched the next phase of its Troubled Families Programme, renaming it The Supporting Families Programme, to support some of the most vulnerable families in society.
The newly named ‘Supporting Families’ programme, includes work to support people to leave abusive relationships, get the right support for people with mental health problems and help [...]
Referrals down by 20% during latest lockdown
Referrals to children’s social care fell by more than 20% in January during the latest national lockdown, official Department for Education statistics has shown.
The Ofsted chief inspector warned before Christmas that child abuse could be going undetected and the latest DfE figures show that referrals between 25 and 31 January 2021 was 23% [...]
Lords committee to investigate child vulnerability
The House of Lords Select Committee on Public Services has launched an inquiry into the role of public services in addressing child vulnerability.
The inquiry follows its first report, ‘A critical juncture for public services: lessons from COVID-19’, published in November which included a number of findings on children and public services and will focus [...]
