One in five childrens social workers unaware of Children and Families Act changes
A report conducted by the Victoria Climbié Foundation finds one in five childrens social workers unaware of Children and Families Act changes sweeping reforms to the adoption system.
Almost a fifth of social workers are still not aware of the changes brought in by the passing of the Children and Families Act into law four months [...]
Stark ‘home truths’ on state of residential child care...
Sector is “under-estimated, under-valued and under-funded", warns the Independent Children's Homes Association
A culture of “anti-residential feeling” must be challenged if children’s homes are to survive, a damning new report has warned.
The report, published by the Independent Children’s Homes Association (ICHA), claimed the residential child care sector is far too often attacked by [...]
Sam Gyimah confirmed as childcare minister
Conservative MP Sam Gyimah has been confirmed as the government minister responsible for childcare and early years. Gyimah has been a Conservative MP for East Surrey since May 2010.
Gyimah, who represents the constituency of East Surrey, announced the news on social network site Twitter this morning. Confirmation of his brief comes almost a week after [...]
Average duration of care proceedings in Jan-March 2014 was 33 weeks
The Cafcass Annual Report and Accounts 2013/14 demonstrates the progress that has been made in reducing the duration of care proceedings to a 26 weeks target. The report states that in the last quarter of the year, eight out of 40 Designated Family Judge (DFJ) areas were already completing applications in less than the 26 [...]
In 2013/14 almost 20,000 more parents went to court....
In 2013/14 almost 20,000 more parents went to court without a lawyer, according to government figures released as a consequence of a Freedom of Information request. The rise in unrepresented parents contesting child contact and residence cases follows the withdrawal of legal aid from family lawyers in April 2013 for most private family law matters. [...]
All looked-after children should have right to stay in care until 21...
All looked-after young people should have the right to stay in care until they are 21, while using bed and breakfast accommodation to house care leavers should be banned. No young adults should be forced to leave care before 21 and only be provided with regulated accommodation, says education committee
These are [...]
