Childrens services
Councils in England must offer young mental health aid
English councils should be given a statutory duty to commission school-based mental health support for young people between the ages of 11 and 18, a report published yesterday suggested.
Generous guests raise £2,500 for kids
Many thanks to the guests at The MJ Awards who contributed to our charity collection, which raised £2,590 for Action for Children.
Equipping children for our diverse society
Yvette Thomas outlines how Buckinghamshire CC is partnering with the third sector to cut out racism and discrimination from an early age.
A matter of trust
Steve Crocker and Chris Whitehouse explain how the Isle of Wight, through its partnership with neighbouring Hampshire CC, has delivered dramatic improvements to its formerly failing services for children - without the need for a trust.
An early start is vital
The argument for early intervention sounds straightforward, writes Alison Michalska, but the difficulties lie in evidencing that it is working.
Princes Trust team-up to boost Lisburn enterprise awards
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is to work with the charity, The Prince’s Trust, to encourage budding entrepreneurs.
Ofsted ratings need improvement
A children’s services troubleshooter has questioned Ofsted’s rating system, claiming the ‘requires improvement’ category has become a ‘default judgement’.
‘Steady progress’ for Birmingham
Birmingham City Council is ‘making steady progress,’ an Ofsted monitoring report has found six months after inspectors judged the authority inadequate.
CSE inquiry hit by second withdrawal
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has been rocked after a second influential victims group with strong links to council children’s homes quit.
Inadequate rating for Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire CC children’s services has been rated inadequate by Ofsted in a report that highlighted serious concerns about the council’s leadership.
Gloucestershire leadership questioned in Ofsted report
Gloucestershire CC children’s services has been rated inadequate by Ofsted in a report that highlighted serious concerns about the council’s leadership.
Second victims group quits sex abuse inquiry
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has been rocked after a second influential victims group with strong links to council children’s homes quit.
Prospects purchases Homes 2 Inspire
Prospects Group UK, a provider of education, employment and care for children, has bought the children’s homes business, Homes 2 Inspire.
Plan to put poor performing kids’ services in trust slammed
Conservative manifesto plans to strip children’s services responsibilities from the ‘weakest councils’ have been attacked as a ‘short-sighted and inefficient response to under-performance’.
Authorities collaborate to buy children and adult case management ICT
Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire councils have worked together on the procurement of a new children and adult case management ICT system. The partnership will allow Telford & Wrekin Council to access the same contract as Shropshire.
CSE still presents a ‘massive challenge’
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is still a ‘massive’ challenge for councils and should not be treated as ‘last year’s policy,’ a former Home Office expert has warned.
DCLG cuts sector-led improvement grant
The Department for Communities and Local Government will provide a £21m grant for sector-led improvement in 2017/18, it has been confirmed.
CSE still 'massive challenge'
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is still a ‘massive’ challenge for councils and should not be treated as ‘last year’s policy,’ a former Home Office expert has warned.
Children's services pushed to 'breaking point'
Council leaders have warned that children’s services are rapidly becoming unsustainable as they face a funding gap of £2bn by 2020.
How Hertfordshire CC is embracing the safeguarding challenge
The Hertfordshire family safeguarding model is now being piloted outside of the county council’s borders. Jenny Coles explains its progress over the past two years.