Safeguarding
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.
CQC issues COVID-19 guidance on DBS checks
The Care Quality Commission(CQC) has issued interim guidance on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and other recruitment checks in response to coronavirus.
Redesigning collaboration along County Lines
Ian Blackhurst explains why local authorities, the police and partner agencies need to share information dynamically and in real time to tackle county lines.
Keeping care going in a pandemic
We must use the adult social care sector’s 'magnificent' response to the coronavirus pandemic as categorical evidence as to how our future should be modelled and funded, says Dr Carol Tozer.
Keeping children and families safe
Lou Williams outlines why she believes the introduction of the Family Safeguarding model in Cambridgeshire will ‘make a real difference to the lives of our most vulnerable children’.
The sound of silence
Local agencies are often ‘woefully ill-equipped’ to stop child sexual abuse in the family environment, says a new joint report from four inspectorates including Ofsted. Why is multi-agency performance still so poor – and what needs to happen next? Chris Mahony reports.
Tackling familial sexual abuse needs a sustained approach
Dealing with child sexual abuse in the family environment calls for informed, committed and resourced leadership and delivery over time, says Mark Rogers.
Serious case review urges focus on home education
A serious case review has urged Government advisers to assess home education policies after a boy ‘disappeared from view’ for 14 months.
Keeping youngsters away from the edge
The Edge of Care programme is breaking the cycle of children and young people becoming looked-after. Anne Stoker describes the key aspects of the approach.
