Talks to stem demand for care applications

Children & Young People Now reports that the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) is working with the Ministry of Justice  to “stem demand” in the number of applications being made for children to be taken into care. To read the article click here. For more information see Cafcass annual report and […]

Care Leavers Left Hungry and in Debt – England

Research published by the Children’s Society finds that large numbers of young people leaving care are having their benefits stopped, pushing many into debt and destitution. ‘The Cost of Being Care-Free’, found that 4,000 benefit sanctions have been applied to care leavers in the last two years, making them at least three times more likely […]

Cafcass Care Applications: July 2016

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) has released its latest monthly care application figures, which show that a total of 1,305 care applications were received during July 2016. This figure represents a 13% increase compared to those received in July 2015 and is the highest ever number of applications for any […]

Commons Local Government Committee Calls for More Help for Care Leavers – England

The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee has published a report following its inquiry into homelessness. The Committee has found that a demonstrable increase in homelessness, driven by the cost and availability of housing, has pushed the problem to such a level that a renewed Government-wide strategy is needed. Paragraph 81 of the […]

Abuse During Childhood: Crime Survey Statistics 2015-2016

The 2015 to 2016 Crime Survey for England and Wales ran for the first time a module of questions asking adults whether they were abused as a child. The survey showed that 9% of adults aged 16 to 59 had experienced psychological abuse, 7% physical abuse, 7% sexual assault and 8% witnessed domestic violence or […]

Family Courts Face Crisis Over Rise in Care Applications – England & Wales

An article in The Guardian reports that Sir James Munby, president of high court’s family division, has issued an emergency statement following the rise in the number of care applications stating that the family court service in England and Wales is facing a “clear and imminent crisis”. Writing in September’s View from the President of the […]

Homelessness Inquiry Report Calls for Additional Support for Care Leavers

The House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee has published the report of its inquiry into homelessness which was launched in December 2015 in light of evidence that homelessness was increasing. The inquiry considered the factors leading to the increase in homelessness, the role of local authorities, the service-user’s perspective and the situation of […]

Together for Children Launched – England

Forty organisations and experts in children’s social care, including CoramBAAF, have come together to defend the rights of vulnerable children and young people, during the passage of the Children and Social Work Bill. Together for Children was formed to oppose plans to let councils exempt themselves from almost any duty imposed by children’s legislation passed […]

Apprenticeships for Care Leavers

The Centre for Social Justice has written a report for the Children’s Commissioner for England examining the availability of apprenticeships and traineeships to care leavers and the barriers that prevent care leavers becoming apprentices. The report, ‘Delivering a care leavers’ strategy for traineeships and apprenticeships’, shows that poor promotion and support prevents care leavers from […]

Second Eid celebration

On Monday 12th September it’s Eid’ul Adha, which means “Festival of Sacrifice” and occurs two months after Eid’ul Fitr in which Muslims sacrifice animals for the sake of Allah. The date of Eid al-Adha varies in accordance with the Islamic lunar calendar, falling on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah (the twelfth month). Eid ul […]