ADCS
Don’t forget our youth workers
Government needs to put as much focus on resourcing the children and young people’s workforce as it does on ensuring the sustainability of the of the sector in the short term, argues Jenny Coles.
ADCS issues warning of family crisis to come
The Government need to provide a long-term financial settlement for to tackle rising demand for children’s services, experts have warned as economic consequences of COVID hit.
Investing in our future
Jenny Coles is president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services Jenny Coles explains why early investment in children prevents harm and makes financial sense.
Care staff concerns as demand set to peak
Concerns have been voiced about staffing levels in children’s services as the COVID-19 second wave takes its toll.
Spinning plates to improve lives
Ann McGauran talks to Charlotte Ramsden about the part she’s played in developing a new vision and plan for children and young people’s services across Greater Manchester – and how it feels to be awarded an OBE.
COVID-19 pressures ‘yet to emerge’
The consequences of the pandemic for the sector may only become apparent in the years to come, the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has said.
We have proved that councils are the place for social care - ADASS
The ‘joining up’ work done by local government during the pandemic has made it clear to Government and Whitehall that social care ‘needs a home’ in councils, says the president of ADASS.
Pulling children out of poverty
Poverty is not inevitable or ‘someone else’s problem’. President of the ADCS Jenny Coles looks at the future of the 200,000 more children who will face poverty in the wake of COVID-19.
Directors warn against blanket ban on unregulated accommodation
Children’s services directors have warned against a blanket ban on placing vulnerable youngsters in unregulated accommodation such as hostels or caravans.
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.
Government makes exam grades U-turn
The education secretary has bowed to public pressure and announced students will receive teacher-assessed grades.
ADCS president calls for welfare overhaul
The impact of the pandemic on children’s futures must not be underestimated, the president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has said.
Surrey CC director dies suddenly
Surrey CC director of children’s services, Dave Hill, died suddenly last night, the council has announced.
Children should not carry the cost of this crisis
Emergency funding for the pandemic is welcome, but it is not enough to cover costs. Children should not bear the brunt of the cuts, says Jenny Coles.
Charity threatens legal action on changes to safeguarding laws
A charity has threatened legal action against the Department for Education (DfE) if it does not withdraw a statutory instrument that makes changes to safeguards for children in care in England.
Working through the pandemic to protect children and families
A new report has identified the groups of children most likely to be at risk under lockdown. How are councils responding to need and have they got the resources to deliver?
Pandemic is making ‘inadequate funding baseline’ worse, says new ADCS president
The incoming president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) says she wants ‘unprecedented levels of investment in our children’s futures, please’, in response to the pandemic.
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.
Critical decisions loom in the children’s care homes sector
Monica Macheng examines the key challenges facing local authorities looking for suitable places for children with increasingly complex needs.
Aspire towards achievement
Rachel Dickinson argues the review of children’s care in England must challenge the stereotype that care is a bad place to end up and be more ambitious about what children can achieve.