Children
Delivering a recovery that works for children
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children hosted a virtual event looking at the action needed to support children, young people and families to recover from the impact of COVID-19. Ann McGauran reports
Build a country that works for all children - ADCS
Children and young people’s experience of COVID-19 should be front and centre of national recovery planning, says a new paper from the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS).
ADCS president calls for welfare overhaul
The impact of the pandemic on children’s futures must not be underestimated, the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has said.
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
The right time for some strategic thinking
The pandemic has presented an opportunity for the sector to re-think its recruitment strategies, particularly in the search for experienced social workers. Maggie Hennessy and Sonia Tanda explain.
Ofsted 'mindful' of councils' coronavirus pressures
The watchdog has promised to be ‘extremely mindful’ of pressures faced by local authorities as it looks at resuming operations post-lockdown.
Mockingbird: Supporting foster families
A Flintshire CC support system for foster families was awarded innovation funding last week. Angharad Dalton of Nesta looks at what it offers.
Time for some creative thinking on safeguarding
With many key partners having closed their doors, local authorities need to think differently about safeguarding children to make sure they don’t fall through the net, warns Anne Longfield.
Tower Hamlets hires new director
Tower Hamlets Council has appointed James Thomas as its new corporate director for children and culture.
Local agencies 'woefully ill-equipped' to stop child abuse
Children are being left at risk because local agencies – including social care – are often ‘woefully ill-equipped’ to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in families, four inspectorates have warned.
Bristol accused of 'abject failure' over SEND care plans
An overhaul of services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is under way at Bristol City Council, after it failed to meet deadlines for families applying for support.
Spielman in fresh illegal schools warning
Ofsted’s chief inspector has made a fresh call for the Department for Education (DfE) to crack down on unregistered or illegal schools.
COSLA conference: Ex-PM Brown says Scottish Government must do more on child poverty
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has launched a scathing attack on the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle the ‘nationwide epidemic’ of child poverty.
Star pupils
The lyrics to Swinging on a Star were reportedly penned after crooner Bing Crosby made a quip to one of his children.
Working with you, for you
By engaging with and seeking the guidance of its young people, Blackpool Council has been able to secure both funds and a new co-production ethic to improve the lives of its residents. Diane Booth explains
Working with you, for you
Diane Booth explains that by engaging with and seeking the guidance of its young people, Blackpool Council has been able to secure both funds and a new co-production ethic to improve the lives of its residents.
Improvements for Worcestershire children's services
Worcestershire CC’s children’s services have improved since they were rated inadequate three years ago, with families better cared for now, Ofsted has said.
Court ruling defends council but warns others
A crucial Supreme Court judgment has dismissed a family’s claim against a council for housing them next to an abusive household, but stressed authorities may still have a duty of care in other circumstances.
Spending Review should put aside £3bn for children's services - MPs
The Government needs to release at least £3bn of non-ring-fenced funding to local authorities to save children’s services from the ‘crisis’ they are in, MPs have said.
A system ‘that’s failing children and young people’
What lies behind the upward trend in the number of youngsters being moved to live a long way from home, and what can be done to keep more of them in their own communities? Ann McGauran reports.
