Cafcass report increase in children taken into care.

This week the Children's Court Advisory Service (Cafcass) released new figures showing a sharp increase in the number of children being taken into care. Many commentators have suggested this is as a result of social workers erring on the side of caution after the furore surrounding the Baby P case.

There were a few interesting and measured debates about the issue in the last few days (there were also a few unhinged slanging matches too but I'll steer clear of sharing those with you) and the Today Programme, as is often the case, hosted a brief and insightful discussion on the issue.

The first two episodes of Protecting Our Children, which is still available on iplayer, has certainly provided me with new evidence as to how finely balanced the decision to keep a child with their birth family or remove them can be.

Sharon Shoesmith wins appeal.

I'm going to need your help with this one.

I heard the news announced earlier that Sharon Shoesmith had won her appeal against her sacking by Haringey council. Many of you will have discussed the ramifications of the baby Peter case in class and no doubt in private too. I'm sure that you'll know more of the details surrounding this terribly sad series of events than I do.

I'd like to know what this means? For those of you wanting careers in those areas where the fallout from this case is still being felt, what are the possible outcomes?

The BBC currently have videos online with both Sharon Shoesmith and Ed Balls, who originally made the ruling against Mrs Shoesmith, along with a detailed report of today's outcome.

No doubt the newspapers will have in depth features on this story tomorrow too. If you need me to show you how to view them online then just contact me.

I would very much appreciate your opinions on this story so either leave a comment or email me a response if you feel the need.