Children
Keeping children in sight
Last week allegations of ill-treatment at a children’s home in Cardiff were in the spotlight. Dan Peters talks to sector experts about whether the system of inspection is failing.
A change of direction
Léonie Cowen says there is a better model for the procurement of placements for looked after children, and she outlines how to achieve this using a collaborative Department for Education-funded approach she believes is unique.
Kent threatens Patel with legal action over asylum children
Kent CC is threatening to launch legal action against the home secretary as it struggles with rising numbers of unaccompanied child migrants.
Using creative housing strategies to improve fostering
Helen Costa discusses the urgent issue of lack of capacity in fostering and looks at what solutions are available to improve services.
'Alarming' rise in child poverty in North East
Research has found the top 10 local authority areas with the greatest increase in child poverty were all in the North East of England.
Child protection to be ‘reset’
Child protection will not return to the pre-pandemic norm, a top Department for Education official has pledged.
Powell becomes shadow housing secretary in mini-reshuffle
Labour leader Keir Starmer has replaced his shadow housing secretary and brought in a high-flyer as shadow child poverty minister as part of a mini-reshuffle.
Lack of ‘clarity’ hampering child protection
Improvements in multi-agency leadership locally and cross-government strategy nationally are required, Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission have told an inquiry.
Children and families need £12.5bn over three years, says new ADCS president
The growing number of children and families who need support 'to thrive, not just survive in the wake of the pandemic' will need investment of around £12.5bn over three years, says England's new children’s services chief.
Helping parents who are struggling alone with abuse from their children
Michelle John explains how PEGS is working with local authorities to equip them to support victims of child to parent abuse (CPA).
A creative vision for Newham
There is now greater optimism that Newham LBC is reaching a tipping point in its improvement journey, says Tim Aldridge. The ambition is for the council to become a nationally recognised example of best practice by 2023.
A sense of hope for the future
The new president of the ADCS Charlotte Ramsden talks to Ann McGauran about her aim of making this the ‘year of resetting our ambition for children and young people in this country’.
Gangs 'one step ahead' of authorities
Criminal gangs that exploit children are ‘one step ahead of authorities,’ mandarins have told peers investigating efforts to protect vulnerable young people.
Preventing young offenders signing up for a life sentence
Steve Ainsworth explores alternative ways to engage young people and help them turn their back on crime.
Looking at EHC plans in a post-COVID world
Natalie Kenneison argues that to understand the impact of COVID and whether enough money is available for high needs, quantitative information is required to show what is working and what is not.
Westminster to face Holyrood in court
The UK Government claims two proposed Scottish laws designed to protect councils and children undermine its sovereignty.
Medway’s children’s services commissioner is stood down
Medway Council will continue to run its own children’s services after the independent commissioner is stood down due to good progress on improvement.
How COVID confirmed Greater Manchester’s focus on people not programmes
Daisy Carter outlines how the citizen experience across Greater Manchester changed during COVID and shows the impact of ‘doing things quite differently’.
Call for inquiry into COVID’s 'devastating' impact on children
A coalition of child health experts has called for a wide-ranging independent commission to examine the ‘devastating impact’ of the pandemic on children.
Councils to feed children during half-term
Local authorities have been told to fund free meals to schoolchildren during half-term week next month, prompting an outcry from the sector.
