Children and Young People Now report on local authorities losing track of young people when they leave compulsory education. Councils’ record whether 16-18 year olds are not in employment, education or training (Neet), for those that cannot be found their status is marked
Ofsted has published an article looking at how its revisions to inspections aim to raise standards in foster care. The article, published to mark the end of Foster Care Fortnight (14-27 May) looks at changes made to the inspection process, including: an increased focus on service users and the progress children and young people are making.
The Welsh Deputy Minister for Social Services and Children has outlined plans to establish an expert group to develop policy on a National Adoption Service. Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick has been appointed as chair, and leaders from the adoption system have been invited to join.
The Department for Education and the Welsh Government have launched a consultation into propsals to update and simplify legislation on safeguarding children involved in performances. Issues covered include: clarifying when a local authority licence is required for a child to take place in a performance, streamlining the licensing process, and looking at the maximum number of children that a chaperone can be responsible for. The closing date is 3 August 2012.
The Department for Education has published an updated version of guidance on preventing and tackling bullying. The advice, which is aimed at headteachers, staff and governing bodies, includes: a guide to the law on bullying, a definition of bullying, and suggested means of prevention and intervention. The document replaces
The NSPCC has published a research report on adults who sexually abused children or young people while working in positions of trust. It aimed to identify: organisational risk factors; how adults were able to obtain these positions; and propose good practice. Findings include: in addition to vetting and screening, there must be an organisational culture where the welfare of the child is paramount, there is an awareness of what constitutes inappropriate or abusive behaviour, and clear and accessible routes to express concerns.
The NSPCC has published an updated version of a factsheet on child protection legislation in the UK. The factsheet provides a chronological list of the Acts, Orders, Measures and statutory guidance that set the legal foundations of child protection and safeguarding in the United Kingdom.
Safe Horizon has published a report on the Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), an evidence based intervention for traumatised children which they have been jointly implementing with the Childhood Violent Trauma Center at Yale Child Study Center. CFTSI aims to strengthen families and reduce early post-traumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms. A randomised control trial showed that children who received CFTSI were 65% less likely to show full PTSD at three month follow up.
The Scottish Government has published a progress report on its commitment to promoting children’s rights, set out in its 2009 response to the 2008 concluding observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Cafcass received 10,218 new care applications between April 2011 and April 2012, 11% higher than the same period last financial year. There were 748 care applications in England in April 2012.