Childrens services
Merger set to create second biggest care provider
A care firm would become the second largest provider in the country if it succeeds in taking over a rival.
Getting a grip on children’s services costs
Although the focus of social services budgets is on adult care costs, it is children’s services that are rapidly becoming an even greater challenge for hard-pressed education authorities, especially when it comes to the bill for looked-after children. The MJ and Prospects recently hosted a round table debate with chief executives to discuss solutions, as Dan Peters reports.
Qualified opinion for Lancashire accounts
Lancashire CC’s auditors have issued a qualified opinion on the county’s value for money work amid lingering concerns over children’s services and internal controls.
Children's services: the lives behind the numbers
Behind talk of crisis and budget pressures are children, families and our workforce. It is time to speak loud about it, says Robin Tuddenham.
30 hours make the difference
Staffordshire CC is one of eight authorities piloting the Department for Education’s 30 hours scheme from September 2016. The scheme is proving successful in helping get back into work or take on more hours, writes Mark Sutton.
Fostering opinion
Rachel Dickinson reacts to recent Government activity reviewing fostering activity across the country and says there is more to be done if local authorities are going to break the systemic issues plaguing the care sector.
Children's services progress 'satisfactory' at Worcestershire
‘Satisfactory progress’ is being made by Worcestershire children’s services, but ‘much work remains to be done,’ according to Ofsted.
Stop trying to explain away poor performance
The sector needs to be more open and honest about poor performance, writes Abdool Kara.
Management changes under way at 'inadequate' children's services in Wakefield
An overhaul of Wakefield City Council’s children’s services team is under way weeks after an inadequate rating by Ofsted.
Rutland shakes-up management team
Rutland CC has shaken-up its senior management team, with three directors taking on new roles.
Children's services risk management strategy is a leap of faith
Blair McPherson believes some councils are adopting a dangerous risk management strategy when it comes to children's services.
Ministers back company delay
Ministers have approved a request for Worcestershire CC’s new children’s social care company to be launched six months later than planned.
Zahawi fails to commit to new funds
Children’s minister Nadhim Zahawi has declined to support strict targets and fresh cash for early intervention work to reduce the number of kids in care.
Child welfare under threat
Children’s care services are sleepwalking towards another tragedy not helped by differing levels of inspection says an all-party group of MPs. Former minister Tim Loughton describes the findings of their report.
Home Office review fails to find Rotherham file
A review has failed to find a file allegedly indicating Whitehall was aware of widespread child abuse in Rotherham years before the scandal was exposed, home secretary Sajid Javid said today.
Budget gap doubles at Lewisham
Lewisham LBC’s budget gap has more than doubled following an ‘unprecedented’ overspend.
Council calls for asylum review
Portsmouth City Council’s leader, Cllr Gerald Vernon Jackson, has urged a review of the system for local authorities dealing with unaccompanied children seeking asylum.
Somerset CC's leader denies Section 114 is 'on horizon'
Somerset CC's leader, Cllr David Fothergill, has denied the council is about to issue a Section 114 notice and has promised the council will deliver a balanced budget.
Funding call to end 'postcode lottery'
MPs today called for more funds to help end a so-called postcode lottery for children’s services.
Ofsted to evaluate inspection framework, ADCS conference told
The way children’s services are inspected is itself to come under scrutiny, senior officers have heard.