Hello. Apologies if you've been wondering where I am, but I've been having a break at home away from all that technology gubbins. Today is my last day until January so I thought I'd get a quick post out to you to prove I still care. And of course there's the small matter of the world ending tomorrow, so I thought I'd get in before Mars attacks or whatever it was that the Mayans weren't predicting doesn't happen...
What I really wanted to bring to your attention was this report showing up failings in the care system. It was substantially reported by the media and you can find mention of it on the BBC website too.
That aside, I just wanted to say thank you for making this year so much fun for me. My teachings statistics have gone through the roof so thank you for turning up for training sessions and thank you for reading the blog.
Have a brilliant Christmas and good luck for 2013,
Alan
Showing posts with label children in care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children in care. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Record numbers of children being taken into care
New figures released today show that the number of children taken into care has topped 10,000 within a 12 month period for the first time.
This news is in every newspaper and all over the TV news. You won't have any problems finding it!
However, the statistics were compiled by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services (CAFCASS), so if you want just the facts without the political analysis you can get straight to their website from here. This site is really useful for statistics going back to 2009.
From what I've read this morning most of the newspaper pieces refer back the baby P case as a catalyst for the steady increase in child removals. If you've an opinion you'd like to share I'd be glad to hear it.
This news is in every newspaper and all over the TV news. You won't have any problems finding it!
However, the statistics were compiled by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services (CAFCASS), so if you want just the facts without the political analysis you can get straight to their website from here. This site is really useful for statistics going back to 2009.
From what I've read this morning most of the newspaper pieces refer back the baby P case as a catalyst for the steady increase in child removals. If you've an opinion you'd like to share I'd be glad to hear it.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Call for reform of women's prisons
Clive Chatterton, former governor of Styal women's prison, has been damning of the use of short term prison sentences for women. This morning (Friday 17th February) he was interviewed on Women's Hour. Luckily he was the first item on so if you listen from the start you won't have long to wait. Anyway, the show is here and it's a very interesting listen. Do remember that the link will probably only work for a week.
In addition, The Guardian reported his concerns too and the link to their piece is here.
This is a difficult topic, however listening this morning it seemed to me that it touches on many issues you may discuss in class and which I've mentioned on the blog previously; mental health, children in care and the length of sentences fitting the seriousness of the crime. Although the Corston report was published 5 years ago to look at these very issues, it would appear that little progress has been made.
If you'd like more information on any of the background studies mentioned you know what to do.
In addition, The Guardian reported his concerns too and the link to their piece is here.
This is a difficult topic, however listening this morning it seemed to me that it touches on many issues you may discuss in class and which I've mentioned on the blog previously; mental health, children in care and the length of sentences fitting the seriousness of the crime. Although the Corston report was published 5 years ago to look at these very issues, it would appear that little progress has been made.
If you'd like more information on any of the background studies mentioned you know what to do.
Saturday, 11 February 2012
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.
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.
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