Fundamental shift in children’s social care set out

  Vulnerable children and families in England will be better supported by a fundamental shift in how children’s social care services are delivered, guided by the findings of an independent review of children’s social care published today.   The government is setting out initial new measures in response to recommendations set out in Josh MacAlister’s […]

Campaign To Provide Books for Ukrainian Refugee Children

  A children’s literacy charity has launched a campaign to raise £1 million to buy books for Ukrainian refugees arriving in the UK.   Bookmark Reading, a literacy charity that provides volunteer-led reading support for children, aims to supply 5,000 welcome Book Boxes to Ukrainian children, aged five to nine, who have fled their homes due to […]

‘Lack of collective knowledge’ on needs of children in care’

  There is a ‘lack of collective knowledge’ around the needs of children in care, according to a study by Ofsted, published today.   The report ‘Why do children go into children’s homes?’ draws on responses to surveys and discussions between inspectors and children placed in children’s homes, staff and others to provide insights into the diverse […]

Westminster Hall debate on the recruitment and retention of foster carers

  On Thursday 21st April, MPs held a general debate on the recruitment and retention of foster carers which was put forward by Kate Osborne.   Will Quince, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education stated ‘On financial support, foster carers have a unique role. They are not employees, and I very much believe that […]

Child wellbeing and social media

  Ofcom has released a report exploring how media was understood and used by children and young people aged 3-17 in the UK in 2021. The report is part of wider programme from Ofcom, ‘Making sense of media’, and is intended as a reference for policy makers and the general public. Findings from the report […]

CHARITY URGES CARE REVIEW TO IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR KINSHIP FAMILIES

  Children and Young People Now have reported that a charity is urging the Care Review to take on board proposals to improve support for kinship carers and their children ahead of its final recommendations to the government.   Kinship says it is calling upon Josh MacAlister, who chairs the independent review of children’s social care […]

Caseloads bigger, more complex and harder to manage, say children’s social workers

  Community Care have reported that more than a third say caseloads “completely unmanageable” as court pressures, Covid impact and lack of other services increase complexity, taking toll on mental health and leaving some contemplating exit Children’s social workers’ caseloads are getting bigger, more complex and harder to manage, taking a toll on their mental […]

Supporting parents and carers

  The Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) has published a guide to help professionals provide a confident, supportive response to parents and carers when concerns about the sexual abuse of their child have been raised or abuse has been identified.   The guide explains: the impact that sexual abuse has on […]

Homes for Ukraine: The foster families who have taken in refugees

The government’s “Homes for Ukraine” scheme will see people in the UK hosting refugees in their homes for a minimum of six months. But while welcoming the move, some of those who have provided a home to refugees in the past are concerned about whether those arriving will get the support they need.   Fostering […]