From the fourth in a series of Safegaurding conferences hosted by Bath Spa University, in association with David Niven Associates. (Courtesy of David Niven Associates). The conference opened with welcomes and introductions by Prof Christina Slade, vice-chancellor of Bath Spa University, and Prof Stephen Ward, dean of the School of Education. The opening talk was … Continue reading
The national housing benefit caps which came into effect at the beginning of this year are forcing a number of London boroughs to examine the option of re-housing some of their housing benefit claimants outside of the capital. The caps are part of the government’s welfare reform and range from £250 per week for a one-bedroom … Continue reading
The national housing benefit caps which came into effect at the beginning of this year are forcing a number of London boroughs to examine the option of re-housing some of their housing benefit claimants outside of the capital. The caps are part of the government’s welfare reform and range from £250 per week for a one-bedroom … Continue reading
Commenting on Cafcass figures showing that the number of local council care applications has passed 10, 000 for the first time, Sue Kent, professional officer British Association of Social Workers, said: “Child protection work is facing a major crisis, soaring referrals yet a government agenda of cuts preventing social workers from doing their jobs properly. “Our members … Continue reading
What’s the ‘right’ number of care applications in a year? Does anyone know? I thought not. Cafcass seems to treat 912 applications in January 2012 (the highest number since Cafcass was set up in 2001) as a ‘right’ number. In February 2012 it attributed a 12.4% increase in new applications in the period between April … Continue reading
Care applications have hit all time high with an increase of 10.8% over the same period last year. This is a huge an alarming increase as it raises the a number of important questions: Is this a reflection of worsening socio-cultural issues? or is it due to socio-economic factors? Is this attributable to poorer parenting? … Continue reading