Safeguarding
Ministers promise radical reform after child deaths review
Ministers have promised radical improvements to data sharing across children’s services after two critical reports this week identified problems that led to child deaths.
Safeguarding fears raised over Homes for Ukraine scheme
Senior council officials want greater powers to safeguard Ukrainian refugees amid fears revised national guidance still leaves some people vulnerable.
Let’s deliver a long-term local resettlement system
Schemes to support refugees must exist around a core, standardised resettlement programme that has a multi-year commitment and specific targets and a variety of housing strategies, says Yvonne Kachikoti.
EXCLUSIVE: Refugee funding to depend on data returns
The Government will not provide funding to councils to support refugees arriving under the Homes for Ukraine scheme if they fail to supply timely data.
Councils need support to protect refugees from exploitation, say experts
The Government has been urged to take ‘urgent measures’ to support councils in their response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis in order to tackle exploitation.
Government intervenes over council's 'inadequate' children's services
The Government has issued a statutory direction to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council forcing it to improve its children’s social care services.
Moving at pace and scale to help Ukrainian arrivals
The LGA's engagement with Government on the humanitarian crisis facing those fleeing the war in Ukraine will continue 'as we seek further clarity on roles, responsibilities and risks for councils,' says James Jamieson.
The art of the possible
A major new report from the ACCE, the CCN and Newton on the future of children's social care shows the art of the possible if councils are enabled to lead the charge in implementing the ‘optimised delivery model’, says Nicola Beach.
Helping highly vulnerable families to recover, rebuild their lives here, and thrive
Implementing and delivering the Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme will require more than just goodwill, says Graeme McDonald.
'Alarmingly high' numbers of exploited looked-after-children going missing from care
Nearly half of looked-after-children that have experienced criminal or sexual exploitation went missing from care in 2020, charities have warned.
Safeguarding needs systemic reform
When the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse issues its final report, it will need to be much more radical, says Richard Scorer.
Solihull ordered to improve children's services
The Government has ordered Solihull MBC to make urgent improvements to its children’s social care services following ‘serious’ concerns over how it protects vulnerable children.
Shortcomings revealed in second child murder case
A second court case in a month has revealed serious shortcomings in how local agencies responded to allegations of abuse shortly before a child’s murder.
‘We’re fighting a broken system’
Cllr Hannah Clare says the system of using hotels to temporarily house unaccompanied asylum-seeking children urgently needs to change, and that the Government must work faster to address the underlying issues.
MPs to quiz council over Arthur's death
Solihull MBC will next month be hauled in front of MPs on the Education Committee to answer questions on the killing of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
Inspection and review announced after court sentences two over Arthur's death
The Government has announced a local inspection and national review will take place following the abuse and murder of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
National review after concerns at children's homes
Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi has commissioned a national review in the wake of Ofsted deregistering two residential children’s homes operating in Doncaster after safeguarding concerns.
Councils warned after harrowing child protection case
Councils must better assess risks to vulnerable children posed by new adults entering family homes, a report by Warwickshire’s safeguarding children board has warned.
To dismiss or not?
Louise Carr examines the fairness of dismissing employees facing criminal, safeguarding and other investigations, and says there is no easy approach other than looking carefully at the facts.
Overprotected? – powers of attorney and deputyship
Britney Spears’ conservatorship has thrown the spotlight on the powers of the court to impose restrictions on vulnerable people. Saara Idelbi argues that councils are likely to have the best view of the safeguarding actions needed.
