Councils should work together to tackle excess profit making in children’s social care rather than simply criticise it, the chair of the independent review of children’s social care in England has said. Speaking last week at the national children’s and adults services conference, Josh MacAlister, who is also the chief executive of and founder […]
Children adopted from care falls to lowest in 21 years, government figures show
The number of children adopted from care fell to its lowest level in 21 years in 2020-21, Department for Education (DfE) figures show. Their number fell by 18% on the year to 2,870, the lowest total since 1999-2000. Delays in family court proceedings during Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the latest annual decline in adoptions, but […]
Fostering in England 2020 to 2021: main findings
Ofsted have released their latest finding on Fostering in England. This release covers: the numbers of foster carers and foster places and placements, in both local authority (LA) fostering agencies and independent fostering agencies (IFAs) data relating to types of foster care, registrations, deregistrations and a range of other subjects the period between 1 […]
National Autistic Society: School Report 2021
The National Autistic Society’s new report has found that parents are facing exhausting and sometimes years-long battles to get support for their autistic children in school. The education system in England is simply not working for autistic children and we are calling on the Government to intervene with its upcoming review of the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, due in the Spring. Find out more here […]
Children and young people’s mental health
Unicef has published a report examining child, adolescent and caregiver mental health around the world. The report finds that: more than 13% of adolescents aged 10–19 live with a diagnosed mental disorder as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), with anxiety and depression making up about 40% of these diagnosed mental disorders; suicide […]
Children’s rights
The Scottish Government has said that it remains committed to incorporating the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law after the Supreme Court ruled on 6 October 2021 that certain parts of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill fall outwith the competence of the Scottish Parliament. Separately, members of […]
NUMBER OF 10- TO 17-YEAR-OLDS IN CARE PROCEEDINGS DOUBLES OVER LAST DECADE
It has emerged that the number of 10- to 17-year-olds subject to proceedings rose by 95 per cent between 2011/12 and 2019/20, from 3,081 to 6,013 children. Meanwhile, the number of 16-year-olds involve in proceedings has almost quadrupled, rising by 285 per cent over that time, according to the research. There has also been […]
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICES: SPENDING 2010-11 TO 2019-20
Pro Bono Economics has published a report, commissioned by the Children’s Services Funding Alliance (Action for Children, Barnardo’s, National Children’s Bureau, NSPCC and The Children’s Society) on spending on children and young people’s services over the last decade. It found that: Between 2010 and 2020 local authorities in England have halved spending on early intervention […]
Civil Service Care Leaver Internships Scheme
The UK Civil Service Care Leaver Internship Scheme offers 495 paid 12-month positions across various government departments and agencies to care experienced young people aged 18-30 in England, Scotland and Wales. The scheme is open for applications until 24 September. Find out more > […]
Sexual violence and sexual harassment in schools and colleges
The Department for Education (DfE) has published updated advice on sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges in England. The advice covers children of all ages, from primary through to secondary stage and into colleges and sets out what sexual violence and sexual harassment is, how to minimise the risk […]