Childrens services
Rising to the back-to-school challenge
Newham is anticipating an increase in demand for services as schools return, says Tim Aldridge, and COVID-19 has thrown a spotlight on existing inequalities.
Responding to the rise in parental conflict during lockdown
Despite a divergence in referral rates during COVID, research has found that councils are responding dynamically to deliver services, says Virginia Ghiara of the Early Intervention Foundation.
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.
Don’t short-change our children now
Kath O’Dwyer says getting a long-term sustainable funding settlement for local government as a whole – not just for children’s services – is crucial if we are to overcome the worst impacts of the crisis
Delivering a recovery that works for children
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children hosted a virtual event looking at the action needed to support children, young people and families to recover from the impact of COVID-19. Ann McGauran reports.
Charting a course through tricky waters
Without significant extra funding, many councils and their partners will struggle during COVID-19 recovery to manage the increased demand on services for supporting children and families, says Donna Molloy.
Closing the gap
Jenny Coles, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, gives Ann McGauran a realistic picture of how local government will need to work to overcome the challenges faced by many children and families post-COVID.
Tackling the barriers to information-sharing
Graham Bright looks at the perceived legal and ethical barriers to sharing information about children, and how they can be overcome.
Video conferencing has boosted partnership working
Use of video conferencing is helping local councils to achieve more, and the convenience factor is bringing many benefits for partnership working, says Michael Bracey.
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.
Putting social value into procurement
Claire Preston hopes the Social Value Toolkit will promote a ‘whole council’ approach that encourages organisations to put helping care leavers at the heart of procurement.
Building back better services for children
Chief executive of the National Children's Bureau Anna Feuchtwang asks how local and national government can build back children’s services that are better equipped to meet needs in the ‘new normal’.
Strengthening safeguarding by placing social workers in schools
The best aspects of a pilot that places social workers in schools are going to be tested more widely in a randomised controlled trial in at least 10 areas, says Michael Sanders.
Ensuring continuity of care during COVID-19
What happens when home isn't a safe place to be? Julie Tyas discusses how tech is becoming the eyes and ears of social workers during the pandemic.
Using virtual reality technology to understand the needs of children
Alison Alexander says VR is being used in the recruitment and training of prospective foster carers and adopters and across children’s services provision to better understand the impact of trauma.
Charity applies for judicial review of changes to children's social care law
A children’s rights charity has applied to the High Court for a judicial review of changes made to social care law by the Department for Education.
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.
Time for some creative thinking on safeguarding
With many key partners having closed their doors, local authorities need to think differently about safeguarding children to make sure they don’t fall through the net, warns Anne Longfield.
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.
There is no return to yesterday
Social services have adapted rapidly to the disruption of COVID-19, says Tony Hunter. As we emerge from the crisis, we need to think about what lessons we should learn and how we can harness data to make better social care decisions.
