Children
Fighting for the children
Incoming president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, Andy Smith, talks to Ann McGauran about the optimism and opportunities he sees as the organisation tackles the challenges ahead for children and young people.
Wanted: A cross-party view on SEND
The unwillingness of either of the Government contenders to make future SEND spending commitments risks the problem not getting the pre-election focus it requires, says Greg Clark
Learning from tragedy
Debbie Jones looks at the lessons emerging from an independent review focused on the children found guilty of the deaths of three young people in Croydon.
Sticking plasters for a wound
Short-term funding and decision-making does not solve the underlying issues surrounding children’s services. It only stores up more pressure for the future says John Pearce.
Meeting the needs of London’s care leavers
The Pan London Care Leavers’ Compact is only the start of the journey to better support care-experienced young people in the capital, says Matt Raleigh.
A first step in tackling abuse
As the Government finally moves to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, councils are warning a complete programme of action is needed to significantly reduce the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. Mark Conrad reports.
Government 'may have underestimated' mandatory reporting impact
The Home Office may have underestimated the additional number of child sexual abuse (CSA) cases when mandatory reporting is introduced, experts have warned.
Judgment day
Kent and Home Office face growing pressure over asylum-seeking children.
Reducing infant mortality in Sheffield
No one element made the difference when it came to reducing Sheffield’s disproportionately high infant mortality rates, says Greg Fell – instead a 20-year commitment reaped incredible rewards.
Children’s needs not prioritised, service leaders warn
Children’s services directors have raised concerns that Government policy does not prioritise children.
Warwickshire probe over councillor SEND comments
Warwickshire CC has launched an investigation after a video showed councillors making disparaging remarks about children with special educational needs.
This is not a slow burning threat
We urgently need the Government to develop a national strategy to tackle the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms, says John Pearce.
Plan to fight poverty
Adrian Dougherty sets out lessons from a joined-up approach to addressing child poverty at North of Tyne Combined Authority.
What Choice? Your Choice
Director of practice at the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance Dr Karla Goodman says the Your Choice programme aimed at supporting change in young people at greatest risk of involvement in violence represents a promising development.
National children's placement strategy required to remove 'profiteering'
The president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services has called for a national placement strategy to remove the risks posed by some ‘clearly profiteering’ large providers.
Remove the risk from large private providers
Local authorities are the sole purchasers of children’s care placements, yet are often held to ransom by private providers. John Pearce examines the case for a comprehensive national placement strategy.
From merger to milestone: a year in reflection
Dr Jo Casebourne says Foundations has been delivering on its mission in its first year – generating and championing evidence that improves services to support family relationships.
Regional working is here to stay
John Copps says regional working in children’s services can no longer be something that can be seen as a side show and local authorities need to engage now or risk getting left behind.
Using data to make better decisions for our children
Dominic Luscombe and Debbie Barnes look at how an approach to capturing and tracking children’s needs over time, while connecting it with the cost of their care, has worked in five councils.
NCASC: 'Watch this space' on spiralling cost of children's placements
The sector should ‘watch this space’ for an announcement from the Government on the spiralling costs of private placements for children, a minister said today.
