ADCS
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.
Making the case for a bigger cake
Darryl Eyers explains why four local professional associations have come together alongside the LGA to make a collective case to Government for the right long-term resources
Demand led, resource constrained: SEND is broken
Outraged at the Government's call for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities financial recovery plans, Ian Thomas explains why it is the funding that is flawed, not the execution.
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.
Examining the boarding school effect
Councils appear to be reluctant to explore the option of placing the children they support at boarding schools, but Paul Marinko finds that the evidence points to improvements in outcomes.
Securing our future, today
Rachel Dickinson warns of the dangers of not making significant long-term investment in children’s services, and says there needs to be a step change in the process of Government funding for essential services.
Clear leadership from the government is needed on public health
Wellbeing should be built into the fabric of Government decision-making when it comes to both policy-making and funding allocation - and it is time for a multi-year funding settlement for public health, says Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy.
Councils defend out of area placements
The children’s commissioner has called for a national review of the care system as four in 10 children in care are living away from their home towns.
Fair redistribution must play a continuing part in council funding
SIGOMA chair Sir Stephen Houghton trusts ministers will ‘recognise the key role that councils must play in their ambition for a united and equal nation’ - and Government should commit to supporting the same level of service across the country.
Reflecting on the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) president, vice president and past presidents reflect on the successes of the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004, and what has changed since they became law.
We are forced to 'eke out too little to too many people' says social care chief
Too many social workers, managers and councillors 'are having to make invidious decisions to eke out too little to too many people whose needs are increasing' says social care chief Julie Ogley.
Level of private equity profits 'turns my stomach' says children's chief
The level of profits made by private equity companies from the care of vulnerable children 'turns my stomach', the president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) has said.
Government departments: ‘adopt a national health and wellbeing board approach’
Poverty and inequality should be understood and tackled as a public health issue, says a new paper from the Association of Directors of Children’s Services. Ann McGauran reports
‘We need to myth-bust here’
As the sector heads to Bournemouth for the National Children and Adult Services (NCAS) conference this week, Ann McGauran talks to Rachel Dickinson about how the country’s young are faring 30 years after the seminal 1989 Children Act.
Councils ‘set up to fail’ on SEND
A committee of MPs has acknowledged the Government’s proposal for a significant increase in high needs block funding next year - but say it will make little difference without ‘a systemic cultural shift’. Ann McGauran reports.
Getting to grips with youth violence
Stuart Gallimore says the Government’s response to serious youth violence and knife crime addresses the symptoms, not the root causes.
Patel pledges £20m to 'roll up' County Lines
The home secretary’s announcement of a £20m package to tackle County Lines drugs gangs has received a mixed reaction.
Directors dismiss 'recruiting sergeants' claim
Children’s services directors have dismissed as ‘wholly inappropriate’ MPs’ claims that councils are acting as inadvertent ‘recruiting sergeants’ for drugs gangs.
Prevention is the key to ensuring our children’s future
Rachel Dickinson encourages Boris Johnson to ensure children are central to the policy decisions of his new regime.