The Government has published an Action Plan for Adoption setting out proposals to overhaul the system for prospective adopters and strengthen the performance regime for local authorities. Proposals include: scorecards to rate local authority performance on adoption targets; approval process for new adopters cut to six months; and a national gateway for adoption to provide a first point of contact.
The Department for Work and Pensions has published the Social Justice Strategy, intended to help vulnerable families. It emphasises the importance of preventive services, and providing support and tools to allow people a second chance to transform their lives. Emphasises the importance of joint working, and looks at how public, private and voluntary sector organisations can work together to deliver intervention services locally.
Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, has written a letter to the UK Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Kenneth Clarke, expressing concerns on a number of issues pertaining to the juvenile justice system, including: the low age of criminal responsibility, recommending that it be put in line with the rest of Europe at age 14 or 15; use of restraints; and separation of juveniles from adult offenders.
The Family Rights Group has published a new film about child protection conferences. The film, which looks at a fictionalised example of an initial child protection conference, is designed to help prepare parents and practitioners to participate in these meetings.
Cafcass received 9,299 new care applications between April 2011 and February 2012, 11.9% higher than the same period last financial year. There were 878 care applications in February 2012.
Ten people have been arrested and a further 112 are being investigated following the break up of an online child sexual abuse image network by Italian police. The group, which spanned at least 28 countries, used social media to swap images and videos of child abuse.
The Home Office has launched a campaign aimed at preventing teenage rape. The campaign is targeted at 13-18 year olds and aims to: raise awareness, improve understanding of what constitutes rape, sexual assault and consent, and empower young people to avoid, challenge and report sexually violent behaviour.
The Department for Education has launched a consultation on revising Sure Start Children’s Centres’ statutory guidance. The closing date is 1 June 2012.
The Department for Education has launched a consultation on guidance for Local Authorities on services to improve young people’s wellbeing. Issues covered include: ensuring the protection of young people from harm and neglect, and ascertaining and taking into account their views on service provision. The consultation closes on 25 May 2012.
