Judicial review sought over use of PAVA spray in prisons holding children. Legal proceedings have been launched in the High Court to challenge the Government’s decision to authorise the use of PAVA spray in prisons holding children. 🔗 Read more -

Social Work England to increase fees despite 96% disapproval. The regulator for social work professionals in England says it will go ahead with planned fee increases despite its consultation finding strong disagreement to the proposals. 🔗 Read more -

“When I explain my upbringing to people, they struggle to understand”. Ciaran Marshall, who went into the foster care system when he was nine years old, explains the challenges and achievements of higher education for those with care experience. 🔗

Complaints about education and children’s services ‘dominating’ watchdog’s work. Children’s complaints still dominate Ombudsman casework in 2024-25, but housing has overtaken adult services. 🔗 Read more -

Inquiry to examine human rights of children in the social care system. A new inquiry will examine how well the human rights of children in England are protected in the social care system. 🔗 Read more -

Care-experienced students share ‘powerful and honest’ accounts of university. New videos feature care-experienced students sharing their stories about studying at university, including the challenges and successes. 🔗 Read more -

Shifting health and care from hospital to community ‘in jeopardy’ after new report. Directors of adult social services say action is needed if they are to implement Government’s aim to support more people to stay at home, rather than in hospital. 🔗

‘Role of data often overlooked or treated solely as a technical issue'. A new report from the @UniofOxford finds that while #childrensservices collect large volumes of data, often, the benefits & uses of it are unclear, & children's needs remain hidden. 🔗

In a wide-ranging interview with Social Work Today, Rachael Wardell discusses the positive impact of agency social work reforms, the challenges of multiple ongoing legislative changes, & the importance of maintaining focus on loving relationships. 🔗 (2/2).

Agency workforce market was ‘damaging to relational social work’. (1/2)

A research study finds that children in Northern Ireland exploited by paramilitaries & organised crime groups are not being formally identified as victims of modern slavery & human trafficking – despite indicators that they may meet the criteria. 🔗 (2/2).

Children in NI exploited by paramilitaries not formally identified as victims of modern slavery. (1/2)

‘Critical gaps in safeguarding’ for children placed under SGOs, research finds. A new study calls for improved safeguarding for adoptive and special guardianship families. 🔗 Read more -

Homeless man left to sleep on the streets because council did not do enough to help. 🔗

A Croydon man with mental health difficulties was left to sleep on the streets despite asking the council for help, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found. (1/2)

Local authorities must do more to recruit foster carers, Minister says. 🔗 Read more - (2/2).

Giving a speech to local authority leaders, Janet Daby tasked local authorities to recruit more foster carers – but many Directors of Children’s Services argue this is out of their control. (1/2)

“A moral failure”: Care system failing thousands of vulnerable children. 🔗 Read more -

A damning report from #ParliamentsEducationCommittee warns that England’s #childrenssocialcare system is failing thousands of vulnerable children, with many care leavers facing homelessness, unemployment & poor mental health due to systemic underinvestment & fragmented services.

Government announces £53 million for council-run children’s homes. Children’s homes will create 200 places for vulnerable children with complex needs. 🔗 Read more -