Safeguarding
Domestic abuse victim funding fails to meet demands
New funding to support victims of domestic abuse does not go far enough, campaigners have argued.
Advocacy services remain crucial despite COVID pressures
Councils must ensure social care providers understand that the legal obligations to refer to advocacy services remain fully in place during COVID, says Jonathan Senker.
A very blunt instrument
Carolyne Willow says it is to this Government’s shame that it found time to carry out a ‘massive deregulation project during COVID-19, yet failed to introduce any legal protections for over 6,000 looked-after children in unregulated accommodation’.
Rising to the back-to-school challenge
Newham is anticipating an increase in demand for services as schools return, says Tim Aldridge, and COVID-19 has thrown a spotlight on existing inequalities.
Responding to the rise in parental conflict during lockdown
Despite a divergence in referral rates during COVID, research has found that councils are responding dynamically to deliver services, says Virginia Ghiara of the Early Intervention Foundation.
We must find a way to invest in our future
The ‘hidden harms’ to children over the past six months will be uncovered when schools fully open in September. We need an urgent and transparent discussion about funding, says Jenny Coles.
Tackling the barriers to information-sharing
Graham Bright looks at the perceived legal and ethical barriers to sharing information about children, and how they can be overcome.
New safeguarding system delayed
The full implementation of the replacement of the ‘overly bureaucratic and complicated’ deprivation of liberty safeguards has been delayed by 18 months.
Strengthening safeguarding by placing social workers in schools
The best aspects of a pilot that places social workers in schools are going to be tested more widely in a randomised controlled trial in at least 10 areas, says Michael Sanders.
Charity applies for judicial review of changes to children's social care law
A children’s rights charity has applied to the High Court for a judicial review of changes made to social care law by the Department for Education.
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.
Judge highlights Haringey safeguarding failures
A London borough has defended its social care service following scathing criticism from a High Court judge.
There is no return to yesterday
Social services have adapted rapidly to the disruption of COVID-19, says Tony Hunter. As we emerge from the crisis, we need to think about what lessons we should learn and how we can harness data to make better social care decisions.
Survey highlights child abuse could go unreported during lockdown
Child abuse could go unreported during lockdown as a quarter of adults do not know where to go for help, a survey has found.
'Missed opportunities' to safeguard neglected children
Four youngsters were left to live in ‘filthy and squalid’ conditions despite ‘numerous referrals’ to children’s services, a serious case review has found.
Playing our part to support the most vulnerable
Tim Aldridge outlines how his team in Newham has responded to the challenge of working during the pandemic, and says adversity has sparked innovation, resilience, collaboration and creativity.
An opportunity amidst the gloom
As social workers battle the coronavirus, Jenny Coles calls for children’s interests to be centre stage, now and after recovery.
A critical time for child protection
Keeping children safe is a challenge made even greater amid the coronavirus crisis. Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield outlines her fears.
Keeping our young people centre stage
Jenny Coles talks to Ann McGauran about her early days as ADCS president and the work being done by councils and schools as they rise to the challenge of COVID-19.
