Children
Mapping the workforce involved in reducing parental conflict
Georgina Atkins and Helen Burridge look at how Walsall Council worked with EIF to map workforce skills in reducing parental conflict and develop a local theory of change.
Focusing on the future for counties and unitaries
Chairman of the County Councils' Network Cllr Tim Oliver says he 'could not fail to be quietly impressed about the energy and determination of our member councils to tackle the incoming challenges head-on' at his organisation's annual conference.
County lines and the blight on our young
The justice system is not providing the adequate protection required by vulnerable children who are being exploited by ‘county lines’ criminal gangs, says Julian Hayes.
Rethinking support for young people
The Connected Futures Fund seeks to transform how young people are supported into work in places with higher levels of disadvantage. Anna Smee explains the aims of the multi-sector partnership approach.
Labour 'will prioritise early intervention'
The next Labour government will prioritise early intervention and provide open access mental health hubs to children in every community, says shadow minister for education Kate Green.
Youth justice needs a redesign
A shocking television exposure of aggressive staff behaviour towards children at the Medway Secure Training Centre should have been a watershed moment, but five years on this is still not the case, says Charlotte Ramsden.
Slough accepts damning SEND report
Watchdogs have demanded action from Slough Council to address ‘significant areas of weakness’ in its services for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Caring for care leavers: The Covenant Employers’ Charter
A helping hand in the form of a well-meaning mentor, some CV advice, interview preparation… everything can make a difference to young care leavers. And as Julie Towers explains, a new charter has been launched to help them flourish.
Let’s harness the energy of our youth to shape climate emergency declarations
Fay Holland of Groundwork says young people want to be involved in decisions about tackling the climate emergency, and it’s crucial to make sure they’re all included.
Breaking down the walls
Children need their communities, but communities need their youngsters too. And, as Chloë Darlington explains, councils are leaving one of their greatest strengths untapped.
Making the most of the Spending Review investment
Steph Waddell says more investment in the Supporting Families Programme makes good sense – and she proposes three steps to ensure it is deployed in the best way.
Let’s take a deep breath and try something different
Tackling the worsening children's placement capacity crisis requires councils and the private and voluntary sectors to stop seeing each other as the enemy, says Léonie Cowen.
Watchdog calls for mandatory transfer scheme
Ofsted has joined calls for councils to be required to take in unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
Government appoints SEND commissioner at Birmingham
A former council chief executive has been appointed to oversee improvements to Birmingham City Council’s special educational needs and disability (SEND) service.
Westminster wins legal battle with Holyrood
The UK Government has blocked two Scottish Parliament Bills after winning the backing of the Supreme Court.
Domestic violence and its betrayal
The Domestic Abuse Act could and should have gone further ‘particularly and most notably around funding, state support and restitution’ argues Stephen Young.
Help – when and where it’s needed
Norfolk CC has successfully shifted the emphasis in children's services from crisis to prevention, including remodelling its corporate parenting service for children in care and beyond. It's just the start, as Sara Tough explains.
Call for national service for children in care
Responsibilities for children in care should be removed from local authorities, a charity has said.
Starfish Talent 20 – People
In the second installment of the Starfish Talent 20, we put a spotlight on 20 leaders of the future, this time focusing on children’s and adult social care, education, communities and public health.
Three priorities for the new education secretary
Donna Molloy of the Early Intervention Foundation outlines three priorities for the new secretary of state for education Nadhim Zahawi and says there’s a ‘window of opportunity’ for positive change.
