Social workers are warning that cuts to services and growing case
loads are leaving vulnerable children without the protection they need.
Nearly five years after the death of Baby Peter Connelly, a
survey of social workers suggests many are worried about unmanageable
amounts of work.
You can watch a short video about this issue on the BBC New website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18099498
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Knowledge gap puts social workers at risk of breaking law - 5/23/2012 - Community Care
Children's social workers lack knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, meaning they could be breaching the legislation in child protection cases involving parents with learning disabilities, warn experts. You can read more on this story here:
Knowledge gap puts social workers at risk of breaking law - 5/23/2012 - Community Care
Knowledge gap puts social workers at risk of breaking law - 5/23/2012 - Community Care
Free Seminar: A Question of Religion: Young People And Identity In Contemporary Multi-faith Britain
The Centre for Child and Youth Research at Brunel University is holding its
second seminar day on 'A question of religion: young people and identity in contemporary
multi-faith Britain' on Friday 29 June2012. The event is
free and open to all. The programme covers:
- Young British Muslims finding their voice: from alienation to engagement. Dr Philip Lewis, Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford.
- Young Sikhs. Jasjit Singh, University of Leeds.
- The Youth On Religion project: Young people and the negotiation of identity in three diverse urban locations. Professor Nicola Madge, Centre for Child and Youth Research, Brunel University.
- Growing up with disability in Pakistani Muslim families. Dr Debbie Kramer-Roy, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Brunel University.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Government Spending Cuts Will Reverse Progress On Child Poverty
A new report by children's charity, Unicef warns that government spending cuts will reverse the progress made on child poverty.
The report on 35 wealthy countries says the UK did better than many others at protecting children from the impact of the global financial crisis. It highlights the UK's success in reducing child poverty to date, saying it is linked to the previous Labour government's focus on increasing household income.
Tax credits, cash transfers and accessible public services played a key role in reducing child poverty in the UK and protecting children from deprivation, it finds. Even though the UK missed its own targets to reduce the number of children living in poverty to 1.7m in 2010, it still saw one of the largest reductions following government intervention, it says.
Unicef chief executive David Bull said: "The UK should be proud that our commitment to end child poverty by 2020 in the past has seen a clear improvement in reducing child poverty and protecting vulnerable children from deprivation.
"However, we know that the number of children living in poverty in the UK is set to increase due to spending cuts.
"This will be a catastrophic blow to the futures of thousands of children, putting at risk their future health, education and chances of employment."
You can read more on this story on the BBC News site here: Global Cuts Will Reduce Spending On Child Poverty.
The full report: Report Card 10: Measuring Child Poverty is available to download here.
The report on 35 wealthy countries says the UK did better than many others at protecting children from the impact of the global financial crisis. It highlights the UK's success in reducing child poverty to date, saying it is linked to the previous Labour government's focus on increasing household income.
Tax credits, cash transfers and accessible public services played a key role in reducing child poverty in the UK and protecting children from deprivation, it finds. Even though the UK missed its own targets to reduce the number of children living in poverty to 1.7m in 2010, it still saw one of the largest reductions following government intervention, it says.
Unicef chief executive David Bull said: "The UK should be proud that our commitment to end child poverty by 2020 in the past has seen a clear improvement in reducing child poverty and protecting vulnerable children from deprivation.
"However, we know that the number of children living in poverty in the UK is set to increase due to spending cuts.
"This will be a catastrophic blow to the futures of thousands of children, putting at risk their future health, education and chances of employment."
You can read more on this story on the BBC News site here: Global Cuts Will Reduce Spending On Child Poverty.
The full report: Report Card 10: Measuring Child Poverty is available to download here.
Obese Teens - Should The State Do More?
Sunday Times columnist Minette Marrin says social services "should have stepped in years ago" to help obese teenager, Georgia Davis. She wonders why Georgia was put on the at-risk register "when that risk wasn't dealt with".
"There is a clear picture of a child in terrible need of help long before you describe her as a grown-up teenager", she told the Today programme's Sarah Montague.
63 stone Welsh teenager, Georgia, became so overweight that she needed to be cut free from her house after collapsing with breathing problems.
You can listen to the discussion of this issue on the Today programme here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9724000/9724325.stm
Women Hold Fewer Than 1/3 Of Top Jobs - BBC Research
Figures compiled by BBC News show that fewer than 1/3 of the UK's most inflential jobs are currently held by women.
Women occupy on average 30.9% of the most senior positions across 11 key sectors analysed by the BBC, including business, politics and policing.The armed forces and judiciary have the fewest women in top posts - 1.3% and 13.2% respectively - while secondary education has the most (36.7%).
Campaign group the Fawcett Society said progress was still too slow.
"Men outnumber women by four to one in Parliament and only a third of local councillors are women," the group's Preethi Sundaram said.
"When we look at the top quarters of power in the political world there are only five women there out of 22… It's quite an appalling fact really."
The European Commission is considering new laws to get more women into the top management jobs. Currently, just one in seven board members at Europe's top firms are women.
You can read more on this story as well as statistics on women in top jobs here: Women hold fewer than one third of top jobs.
Women occupy on average 30.9% of the most senior positions across 11 key sectors analysed by the BBC, including business, politics and policing.The armed forces and judiciary have the fewest women in top posts - 1.3% and 13.2% respectively - while secondary education has the most (36.7%).
Campaign group the Fawcett Society said progress was still too slow.
"Men outnumber women by four to one in Parliament and only a third of local councillors are women," the group's Preethi Sundaram said.
"When we look at the top quarters of power in the political world there are only five women there out of 22… It's quite an appalling fact really."
The European Commission is considering new laws to get more women into the top management jobs. Currently, just one in seven board members at Europe's top firms are women.
You can read more on this story as well as statistics on women in top jobs here: Women hold fewer than one third of top jobs.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Diamond Jubilee: You in '52
Here's an interesting little feature that I found on the BBC News site. Select whether you're male or female and click the tabs to find out what your life would have been like in early 1950s Britain. As you might expect options for women were extremely limited!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18152914
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18152914
Pace Of Child Protection Reforms Needs To Be Accelerated Says Munro
Professor Eileen Munro, author of the Government’s review of the child protection system, today said a “culture change” was underway in the child protection system but outlined an urgent need to now accelerate reforms to create a more child-centred system.
She said reforms had reached a “watershed moment” but, while progress is moving in the right direction, it now needs to move faster with more prescription and bureaucracy stripped away so social workers are able to focus on giving children and young people the help they need. Professor Munro said social workers must be confident to use their judgment instead of applying rules that do not match a specific child’s needs.
Professor Munro's Progress Report: Progress report: Moving towards a child centred system may be read by clicking on this link.
She said reforms had reached a “watershed moment” but, while progress is moving in the right direction, it now needs to move faster with more prescription and bureaucracy stripped away so social workers are able to focus on giving children and young people the help they need. Professor Munro said social workers must be confident to use their judgment instead of applying rules that do not match a specific child’s needs.
Professor Munro's Progress Report: Progress report: Moving towards a child centred system may be read by clicking on this link.
Government Failing To Tackle Britain's Housing Crisis Warns Shelter
Leading housing groups have warned today that the Government is failing to tackle the country’s growing housing crisis. In their second Housing Report, the National Housing Federation, Shelter and The Chartered Institute of Housing warn the Government is failing to deliver on five out of ten key housing indicators:
The Housing Report is available to read here.
- affordability of the private rented sector
- help with housing costs
- homelessness
- housing supply
- overcrowding.
The Housing Report is available to read here.
Fostering Services Need To Reach Out To A Wider Range Of Carers
The care system is facing major challenges as the number of looked after children rises and retiring foster carers are not replaced fast enough, warns Children's Minister, Tim Loughton.
Mr Loughton has urged fostering services not to be blinkered when considering who has the capacity to foster and to reach out to a wider pool of potential carers – able to help the increasingly challenging needs of children coming in care.
He argued that there will be a rising turnover of foster carers over coming years, caused in part by an aging workforce – the vast majority are already in their late forties to mid-50s. He said without younger and skilled foster carers coming forward, the current shortfall of carers will only grow.
The Fostering Network said last week that an extra 8750 foster carers are needed across the UK this year alone. The Network said that three out of five fostering services are “desperately seeking foster carers”; and that 98 per cent were looking for more foster families for teenagers than last year.
You can read more on this story and view related resources here: http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00209325/fostering-services-need-to-reach-out-to-wider-range-of-carers
Mr Loughton has urged fostering services not to be blinkered when considering who has the capacity to foster and to reach out to a wider pool of potential carers – able to help the increasingly challenging needs of children coming in care.
He argued that there will be a rising turnover of foster carers over coming years, caused in part by an aging workforce – the vast majority are already in their late forties to mid-50s. He said without younger and skilled foster carers coming forward, the current shortfall of carers will only grow.
The Fostering Network said last week that an extra 8750 foster carers are needed across the UK this year alone. The Network said that three out of five fostering services are “desperately seeking foster carers”; and that 98 per cent were looking for more foster families for teenagers than last year.
You can read more on this story and view related resources here: http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00209325/fostering-services-need-to-reach-out-to-wider-range-of-carers
NHS Hospitals Told To Do More For The Homeless
NHS hospitals are being urged to do more to help homeless patients, in a report commissioned by the government.
The report acknowledges that some staff feel that patients' housing needs are beyond the remit of hospitals. But it says a more intensive approach to the homeless can cut the cost of them repeatedly turning up as emergency cases. The report, by Homeless Link and St Mungo's, quotes the example of a special team at University College Hospital (UCH) in London which has helped save £100,000.
Homeless patients are thought to cost at least five times as much as other patients, because they often have multiple health problems and repeated admissions. NHS hospitals are being told to identify homeless patients quickly, and involve housing teams or hostels in their care - rather than discharging them back onto the streets.
You can read more on this story at the BBC News site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18210825
The full report is available here: Helping Homeless People Regain Their Health: Our Vision For A Better NHS
The report acknowledges that some staff feel that patients' housing needs are beyond the remit of hospitals. But it says a more intensive approach to the homeless can cut the cost of them repeatedly turning up as emergency cases. The report, by Homeless Link and St Mungo's, quotes the example of a special team at University College Hospital (UCH) in London which has helped save £100,000.
Homeless patients are thought to cost at least five times as much as other patients, because they often have multiple health problems and repeated admissions. NHS hospitals are being told to identify homeless patients quickly, and involve housing teams or hostels in their care - rather than discharging them back onto the streets.
You can read more on this story at the BBC News site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18210825
The full report is available here: Helping Homeless People Regain Their Health: Our Vision For A Better NHS
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Child Maintainance Cost Reductions Could Worsen Child Poverty
A report by the Commons Public Accounts Committee says that plans to charge single parents for access to the replacement for the Child Support Agency could worsen child poverty.
It warns that the Commission's cost reduction plans are high risk in that they rely heavily on the introduction of fees on parents rather than achieving genuine savings. Forecasting how parents will react to fees is difficult. Whilst ensuring parents accept proper responsibility for the cost of care for their children is important, it would be unfortunate if an unintended consequence of this initiative was more child poverty with extra costs to the taxpayer. Parents lack confidence in the system, and the Commission needs to demonstrate that it has a service which is worth paying fees for.
The report is available here: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/TSO-PDF/committee-reports/cmpubacc1874.pdf
It warns that the Commission's cost reduction plans are high risk in that they rely heavily on the introduction of fees on parents rather than achieving genuine savings. Forecasting how parents will react to fees is difficult. Whilst ensuring parents accept proper responsibility for the cost of care for their children is important, it would be unfortunate if an unintended consequence of this initiative was more child poverty with extra costs to the taxpayer. Parents lack confidence in the system, and the Commission needs to demonstrate that it has a service which is worth paying fees for.
The report is available here: http://www.parliament.uk/documents/TSO-PDF/committee-reports/cmpubacc1874.pdf
What Social Workers Think About The State Of Their Profession In 2012
A survey conducted by the British Association of Social Workers has revealed that of 1,100 social workers surveyed: 88% said vulnerable lives could be put at risk by cuts to services; 85% have seen notable cuts to services in the last 12 months; 77% are concerned about unmanageable caseloads; 46% are afraid to speak out about for fear of repercussions; 65% expressed concern about the use of unqualified staff.
The frontline social workers who responded to the survey repeatedly expressed their fears about the potential consequences of a system at breaking point. You can read the research here: http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_23651-3.pdf
The frontline social workers who responded to the survey repeatedly expressed their fears about the potential consequences of a system at breaking point. You can read the research here: http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_23651-3.pdf
Qualitative Study Of Children, Young People & Sexting
Jessica Ringrose, Institute of Education, and others for the NSPCC have conducted a small scale qualitative study to improve the understanding of sexting (the “exchange of sexual messages or images” and “creating, sharing and forwarding sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images”) and the use of mobile technology by young people.
The researchers conducted focus groups with 35 young people aged 12 to 14 years from inner city London schools. Participants were asked to become friends with the research team on Facebook so their activities online could be mapped. The findings reveal that sexting does not refer to a single activity but covers a range of activities experienced by young people. The key messages from the research are: the primary technology-related threat comes from peers, not 'stranger danger'; sexting is often coercive; girls are the most adversely affected; technology amplifies the problem by facilitating the objectification of girls; sexting reveals wider sexual pressures; ever younger children are affected; sexting practices are culturally specific; and more support and resources are vital to redress the gendered sexual pressures on young people.
The report sets out recommendations for schools, parents, internet service and site providers, child welfare professionals and future research and is available to read here: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/resourcesforprofessionals/sexualabuse/sexting-research-report_wdf89269.pdf
The researchers conducted focus groups with 35 young people aged 12 to 14 years from inner city London schools. Participants were asked to become friends with the research team on Facebook so their activities online could be mapped. The findings reveal that sexting does not refer to a single activity but covers a range of activities experienced by young people. The key messages from the research are: the primary technology-related threat comes from peers, not 'stranger danger'; sexting is often coercive; girls are the most adversely affected; technology amplifies the problem by facilitating the objectification of girls; sexting reveals wider sexual pressures; ever younger children are affected; sexting practices are culturally specific; and more support and resources are vital to redress the gendered sexual pressures on young people.
The report sets out recommendations for schools, parents, internet service and site providers, child welfare professionals and future research and is available to read here: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/resourcesforprofessionals/sexualabuse/sexting-research-report_wdf89269.pdf
Report On Youth Offending Work In Bedfordshire
HM Institute of Probation has published an inspection report on youth offending services in Bedfordshire.
The report states: “We found a staff team committed to delivering quality interventions with children and young people, supported by effective partnership working. The areas for improvement are recognised by managers and attention is being paid to provide more consistent oversight of Risk of Harm work. As such, Bedfordshire YOS is in a strong position to build upon the strengths identified by this inspection.”
The report is available to read here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/hmiprob/youth-inspection-reports/core-case/bedfordshire-cci.pdf
The report states: “We found a staff team committed to delivering quality interventions with children and young people, supported by effective partnership working. The areas for improvement are recognised by managers and attention is being paid to provide more consistent oversight of Risk of Harm work. As such, Bedfordshire YOS is in a strong position to build upon the strengths identified by this inspection.”
The report is available to read here: http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/hmiprob/youth-inspection-reports/core-case/bedfordshire-cci.pdf
Therapeutic Approaches To Social Work In Residential Child Care Settings
Geraldine Macdonald and others for the Social Care Institute for Excellence have published a new report looking at therapeutic approaches to social work in residential child care settings.
Compared to the looked-after population in general, children in residential child care have some of the highest levels of need, including increased emotional and behavioural difficulties. This report focuses on how residential child care staff in Northern Ireland trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches to enhance their practice and relationships with the young people in their care.
Staff reported that therapeutic approaches do have some limitations – for example in dealing with physical aggression – meaning that other models such as Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) were still an important part of practice. Young people in residential child care often noticed an improved ‘atmosphere’ and the use of fewer punishments to deal with poor behaviour, even if they did not notice that a new approach was being used.
Some factors that helped put these approaches into practice included training staff, offering follow-up supporting materials, and developing wider systems of working that support the approaches – for example careful planning when a young person is first admitted to a home. Therapeutic approaches can complement specialist therapeutic interventions – such as trauma-focused and cognitive-behavioural therapy, counselling and so on – but do not replace them. These specialist services are a vital part of the support that looked-after children and young people should have access to.
The report is available to read here: http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/reports/report58/files/report58.pdf
Compared to the looked-after population in general, children in residential child care have some of the highest levels of need, including increased emotional and behavioural difficulties. This report focuses on how residential child care staff in Northern Ireland trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches to enhance their practice and relationships with the young people in their care.
Staff reported that therapeutic approaches do have some limitations – for example in dealing with physical aggression – meaning that other models such as Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) were still an important part of practice. Young people in residential child care often noticed an improved ‘atmosphere’ and the use of fewer punishments to deal with poor behaviour, even if they did not notice that a new approach was being used.
Some factors that helped put these approaches into practice included training staff, offering follow-up supporting materials, and developing wider systems of working that support the approaches – for example careful planning when a young person is first admitted to a home. Therapeutic approaches can complement specialist therapeutic interventions – such as trauma-focused and cognitive-behavioural therapy, counselling and so on – but do not replace them. These specialist services are a vital part of the support that looked-after children and young people should have access to.
The report is available to read here: http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/reports/report58/files/report58.pdf
Creating Services & Welfare To Combat Perinatal Depression
A new report by Family Action argues that welfare cuts and poor quality housing are having a negative impact on mothers’ mental health and their ability to bond with their babies. It suggests that early intervention should mean intervening before at-risk babies are born, by providing services that support vulnerable mothers emotionally and help develop parenting skills, alongside financial support. Whilst there are services for severe maternal mental health problems there is very little for women suffering moderate to mild difficulties. The report also argues that the troubled families programme, although much needed, is not suitable for preventing problems before they cause damage.
The report is available to read here: http://www.family-action.org.uk/standard.aspx?id=19802
The report is available to read here: http://www.family-action.org.uk/standard.aspx?id=19802
The Government's Progress On Reforming The Care System
Tim Loughton, the Children's Minister spoke to social workers at the Community Care Live conference about the Government's progress in reforming child protection, fostering, adoption, the care system and the social work profession.
Mr Loughton's speech is available to read here:
http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/speeches/a00209139/community-care-live
Mr Loughton's speech is available to read here:
http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/speeches/a00209139/community-care-live
Former Young Runaways Shares Their Stories With Minister
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities and Criminal Information, met with young people who have been supported by the Children’s Society to hear about their experiences of running away and going missing.
She heard about their experiences, and talked to them about how the government was helping young people like them through the missing children and adults strategy (available to download in full here).
Lynne Featherstone said: 'The problem of children going missing is bigger than many people realise, with those aged 15 to 17 most likely to go missing, as well as being at risk of harm and exploitation. 'Hearing the views of children and young people has renewed my determination to ensure we are doing all we can to help and support them.'
The minister heard how two 15-year-old girls succumbed to peer pressure before going missing repeatedly, often feeling scared and vulnerable in some of the situations they found themselves in. However, they were introduced to a Children's Society project via their school, and soon found the impartial support and advice they needed to make the change.
She heard about their experiences, and talked to them about how the government was helping young people like them through the missing children and adults strategy (available to download in full here).
Lynne Featherstone said: 'The problem of children going missing is bigger than many people realise, with those aged 15 to 17 most likely to go missing, as well as being at risk of harm and exploitation. 'Hearing the views of children and young people has renewed my determination to ensure we are doing all we can to help and support them.'
The minister heard how two 15-year-old girls succumbed to peer pressure before going missing repeatedly, often feeling scared and vulnerable in some of the situations they found themselves in. However, they were introduced to a Children's Society project via their school, and soon found the impartial support and advice they needed to make the change.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Calls For Greater Use Of Mental Health Treatment For Offenders With Mental Health Problems
More news from the Centre for Mental Health. They have published a new briefing paper which looks at the provision of mental health care for adults in the criminal justice system.
You can read more about this briefing paper here: http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/news/2012_MHTR.aspx
The paper states "Despite
the fact that we know that as many as a quarter of offenders have a
mental illness its disappointing to discover that since its introduction
in 2005 the mental health treatment requirement still represents
well-under 1 per cent of all requirements issued."
Sean
Duggan, Centre for Mental Health chief executive said, commenting on
recent figures from the Ministry of Justice that show a fall in the
number of Mental Health Treatment Requirements (MHTRs) issued as part of
a Community Order or Suspended Sentence Order "Our
research has shown that the MHTR has unfilled potential as an option for
community sentences. By engaging offenders with mental health problems
in effective treatment in the community, the MHTR has to potential to
improve an individual's mental health and wellbeing and reduce the
chances of reoffending.
Mental Health Issues & Alcohol Abuse: How The Families Of Those In The Armed Forces Are Affected
Matt Fossey of the Centre for Mental Health spoke to Jenni Murray on Radio 4's Woman's Hour just over a week ago about the impact of alcohol abuse and mental health problems on the partners and children of Service personnel and veterans. The programme is still available to listen to online here: http://bbc.in/K1wi6h
The Centre has also published a report which calls for more research is urgently needed into the emotional needs of the families of those in the armed forces. It argues that a lack of research into domestic violence, alcohol abuse and mental health problems and there impact on the families of those in the UK armed forces means that their needs are going unmet.
The full report is available to read here: http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/news/2012_unsung_heroes.aspx
The Centre has also published a report which calls for more research is urgently needed into the emotional needs of the families of those in the armed forces. It argues that a lack of research into domestic violence, alcohol abuse and mental health problems and there impact on the families of those in the UK armed forces means that their needs are going unmet.
The full report is available to read here: http://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/news/2012_unsung_heroes.aspx
What Can Care Providers Do To Support Older Gay People?
May 17th was the International Day Against Homophobia. A recent paper by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Perspectives on ageing: lesbians, gay men and bisexuals by Sally Knocker shines a spotlight on the huge impact that prejudice has had on older people's lives and on the impact that the morms of their youth still have upon their present experience.
Sally found that many fear needing services, believing (rightly or wrongly) that their identity will become invisible or that they will experience prejudice from care professionals or their own peers. This is particularly true for those who are HIV positive. A national survey found that many HIV-positive older people fear that social care services, care homes and sheltered housing might be HIV prejudiced and/or homophobic. One in five reported experiencing age- or HIV-related discrimination in the past year, and HIV discrimination was worst in healthcare and goods and services.
Sally found that many fear needing services, believing (rightly or wrongly) that their identity will become invisible or that they will experience prejudice from care professionals or their own peers. This is particularly true for those who are HIV positive. A national survey found that many HIV-positive older people fear that social care services, care homes and sheltered housing might be HIV prejudiced and/or homophobic. One in five reported experiencing age- or HIV-related discrimination in the past year, and HIV discrimination was worst in healthcare and goods and services.
Access Full Text Articles From Home Directly From Google Scholar With LibX
Did you know that Learning Resources have developed an extension for Internet Explorer and Firefox which can give you direct access to your Library's resouces? It's called LibX and it's available to download (with full instructions) here: http://libx.org/editions/download.php?edition=A4ACB454
With LibX you can:
With LibX you can:
- Gain quick full text access to electronic articles subscribed to by your library, that you find using Google Scholar - even off campus.
- LibX places cues
in webpages that you visit if your library has resources related to that page. Whenever you see the cue just click on it to see what your Library has to offer, for e.g. books that you find using Amazon will have cues next to the books that the Library has in stock.
- Search the Library Catalogue directly from your toolbar.
Information Literacy Drop-ins 4th & 5th June
I've updated the workshops page to remove the drop-ins scheduled for 4th & 5th June 2012 as the library (& indeed the entire University) will be closed on those days for the Bank Holiday and the Queen's Jubilee. I shall be re-running those workshops & others later in the month.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Girl's Attitudes & Role Models Explored
A new report by Girlguiding UK highlights a role model deficit among girls and young women, shedding light on how the narrow range of positive examples available to girls and young women aged 7 to 21 is linked to a limited range of aspirations for their futures.
The report, prepared from focus group research, says that girls who think it right to refrain from sex while still far below the legal age of consent are no more than “a significant minority”. Several of those surveyed admitted taking risks and pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone in order to feel accepted – drinking alcohol, partying and having underage sex. They justify their actions by referring to the abundance of TV shows that are seen to normalise such behaviour.
The full report is available here:
http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/pdf/GirlsAttitudesExploredRoleModels_FINAL.pdf [PDF 5.55MB]
The report, prepared from focus group research, says that girls who think it right to refrain from sex while still far below the legal age of consent are no more than “a significant minority”. Several of those surveyed admitted taking risks and pushing themselves beyond their comfort zone in order to feel accepted – drinking alcohol, partying and having underage sex. They justify their actions by referring to the abundance of TV shows that are seen to normalise such behaviour.
The full report is available here:
http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/pdf/GirlsAttitudesExploredRoleModels_FINAL.pdf [PDF 5.55MB]
First Reading Of The Crime & Courts Bill
The Crime & Courts Bill has received its first Reading in the Lords. The Bill contains the following key elements relating to children:
- A National Crime Agency will be established to tackle serious organised and complex crime including sexual abuse and exploitation of children and cyber crime;
- A Single County Court system and a Family Court will be established to allow greater flexibility and increase the efficiency of the civil and family court systems in England and Wales; Enabling the introduction, in limited circumstances, of court broadcasting;
- A new offence of driving or being in charge of a vehicle with concentrations of specified controlled substances in excess of specified levels will be introduced.
Children & Families Bill To Give Families Support
The government will overhaul the special educational needs system and reduce delays in the family justice and adoption systems, under new legislation announced in the Queen’s Speech.
The Bill would introduce a single, simpler assessment process for children with SEN or disabilities, backed up by new Education, Health and Care Plans. It would speed up care proceedings in family courts with the introduction of a new six-month time limit on cases and other reforms. It would also include legislation to stop delays by social workers in matching parents to ethnic minority children and would strengthen the law so children have a relationship with both parents if families break up – if that is in their best interest. Ministers will consult shortly on the legal options about how this would work. The Bill would also strengthen the powers of the Children’s Commissioner and contains provisions relating to flexible parental leave.
The Bill is expected to be introduced early in 2013. The full press release is available here: http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00208753/childrens-bill-family-support
The Bill would introduce a single, simpler assessment process for children with SEN or disabilities, backed up by new Education, Health and Care Plans. It would speed up care proceedings in family courts with the introduction of a new six-month time limit on cases and other reforms. It would also include legislation to stop delays by social workers in matching parents to ethnic minority children and would strengthen the law so children have a relationship with both parents if families break up – if that is in their best interest. Ministers will consult shortly on the legal options about how this would work. The Bill would also strengthen the powers of the Children’s Commissioner and contains provisions relating to flexible parental leave.
The Bill is expected to be introduced early in 2013. The full press release is available here: http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00208753/childrens-bill-family-support
Adoption Scorecards Show The Extent Of Delays Across England
Hundreds of children are forced to wait an average of 20 months from entering care to moving in with their adoptive parents according to official figures.
You can read the full press release plus links to related resources here on the Department for Education's website: http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00208881/adoption-scorecards-show-the-serious-extent-of-delays-across-england
You can read the full press release plus links to related resources here on the Department for Education's website: http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/inthenews/a00208881/adoption-scorecards-show-the-serious-extent-of-delays-across-england
Protecting Children From Commercialisation & Sexualisation
The Government has set out new measures protect children from commercialisation and sexualisation in society.
Ministers welcomed progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the independent Let Children Be Children report by Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of Mothers’ Union – but said that industry still has plenty of work to do.
The Bailey review found that increasingly we live in a society full of sexualised imagery, where families don’t feel in control and children can’t be children. It said that parents are worried about their children being exposed to inappropriate material and that although families want to take responsibility, all too often they don’t know how.
The new measures include:
Ministers welcomed progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the independent Let Children Be Children report by Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of Mothers’ Union – but said that industry still has plenty of work to do.
The Bailey review found that increasingly we live in a society full of sexualised imagery, where families don’t feel in control and children can’t be children. It said that parents are worried about their children being exposed to inappropriate material and that although families want to take responsibility, all too often they don’t know how.
The new measures include:
- Consulting on whether the current age rating system should be extended to cover more music DVDs and Blu-ray discs - to protect children from inappropriate material. Most are currently exempt from the Video Recordings Acts 1984 and 2010 as are sports, religious and educational products;
-
Working with the music industry, online retailers and video services,
to have clear warnings on explicit videos where they are shown online.
Many online video services already do this, and by the end of the year,
YouTube will provide the music industry with the ability to label their
videos "explicit," giving parents a straightforward way of checking
whether they are going to be suitable for their children.
- Taking forward the final stage of legislation needed so that the planned new system of age classification and labelling for videogames giving clearer age ratings and advice for parents can start in July. The new system will extend the statutory backing to cover games rated PEGI 12 as well as to those rated 16 and 18; and
- Asking the Advertising Standards Authority to consider whether more should be done to spell out the commercial intent of ‘advergames’ to young people and their parents.
New Campaign Hi-lights Need For More Foster Carers
22 Minutes, a new recruitment campaign launched by the Fostering Network, emphasises the fact that a child comes into care and needs a foster family every 22 minutes across the UK. As a result, at least 8,750 more foster families are needed in 2012 alone.
You can read more about the campaign launch here: http://www.fostering.net/news/2012/new-campaign-highlights-need-more-foster-carers and visit the 22 Minutes Campaign website to watch the 22 Minutes trailer film and other videos and read their foster carer blogs.
You can read more about the campaign launch here: http://www.fostering.net/news/2012/new-campaign-highlights-need-more-foster-carers and visit the 22 Minutes Campaign website to watch the 22 Minutes trailer film and other videos and read their foster carer blogs.
Tyler Whelan Death: 'Agencies Missed Chances'
Peterborough Safeguarding Children Board has published its Serious Case Review into the death of Tyler Whelan. The report is available to download here: Peterborough Serious Case Reviews.
The report identified "numerous missed opportunities when interventions should have been more rigorous and incisive or clear". But it said there was no evidence that the death could have been prevented.
Tyler died in hospital in March 2011 after collapsing at home in Peterborough. His mother, Stephanie Whelan, 27, was found guilty of allowing or causing the death of her son.Her former partner, Elvis Lee, 34, was convicted of the murder at Cambridge Crown Court.
Monday, 14 May 2012
Library Closures For 4th & 5th June 2012
Just to remind everyone: the Library and all other University buildings will be closed on Monday 4th June (Bank Holiday) and Tuesday 5th June (Queen's Jubilee)!
Income Inequality & Poverty In The UK "Set To Rise" Claims New Report
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published a new report: The impact of employment changes on poverty in 2020.
The report states that projections suggest long-term labour market trends are set to continue. Examining the impact of these changes on income inequality and poverty levels, this study:
The report states that projections suggest long-term labour market trends are set to continue. Examining the impact of these changes on income inequality and poverty levels, this study:
- Forecasts a rise in income inequality and poverty levels.
- Cites expected cuts in benefits and tax credits as a major cause of these rises.
- Suggests the impact on the overall level of relative poverty and inequality forecast for 2020/21 made by changes imposed on employment and pay structures will be small.
The Home Office's Alcohol Strategy 2012
The Home Office has introduced its new Alcohol Strategy which sets out proposals to cut down on binge drinking, alcohol fuelled violence and slash the number of people drinking to damaging levels. The Alcohol Strategy includes committments to:
- introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol
- consult on a ban on the sale of multi-buy alcohol discounting
- introduce stronger powers for local areas to control the density of licensed premises including making the impact on health a consideration for this
- pilot innovative sobriety schemes to challenge alcohol-related offending
Focus On The Victim: Antisocial Behaviour Call-handling Report From The Home Office
During 2011, the Home Office worked with eight police force areas to
trial a new approach to handling antisocial behaviour calls from the
public and then manage their cases. The aim was to improve the ability of forces to identify
victims most at risk and to respond appropriately with their local
partners. The trials represent a 'bottom-up' effort to shift
practitioners' focus to protecting victims and communities, rather than
just logging types of antisocial behaviour.
The full report which analyses the results and lessons learnt from the trials is available to download here: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/asb-focus-on-the-victim
The full report which analyses the results and lessons learnt from the trials is available to download here: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/asb-focus-on-the-victim
Disability Benefit Change Needed Says Iain Duncan Smith
Work & Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith has insisted that reform of disability benefits is needed and that planned changes will go ahead.
It has emerged that half a million people are to lose the Disability Living Allowance over the next four years. However, Mr Duncan Smith told the Daily Telegraph the number of people claiming it had risen by 30% in recent years, with many people "allowed to fester".
Under the changes, two million claimants would be reassessed in the next four years, with only those considered to be in need of support able to qualify. The government is consulting on the proposals, but Mr Duncan Smith argued a new benefit had to be introduced.
He said: "It's been rising well ahead of any other gauge you might make about illness, sickness, disability or, for that matter, general trends in society. "A lot of that is down to the way the benefit was structured so that it was very loosely defined."
The allowance is currently claimed by more than three million people - but it is due to be replaced with a "personal independence payment", which ministers say will focus on those most in need. Mr Duncan Smith said the current system had been exploited and abused because of political fear about reforming a benefit for the disabled.
Disability campaigners have warned ministers that the new assessment must be fair, otherwise people with serious disabilities could lose the money they need to cover costs such as maintaining wheelchairs and using specially-adapted cars.
For Labour, shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne said: "This government has approached the vital reform of disability benefits with a mix of contempt and carelessness. Mr Duncan Smith wants to cut at least a fifth - almost £2.2bn - off the £13bn annual bill, according to the Daily Telegraph.
You can read more about this story on the BBC News website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18054734
Under the changes, two million claimants would be reassessed in the next four years, with only those considered to be in need of support able to qualify. The government is consulting on the proposals, but Mr Duncan Smith argued a new benefit had to be introduced.
He said: "It's been rising well ahead of any other gauge you might make about illness, sickness, disability or, for that matter, general trends in society. "A lot of that is down to the way the benefit was structured so that it was very loosely defined."
The allowance is currently claimed by more than three million people - but it is due to be replaced with a "personal independence payment", which ministers say will focus on those most in need. Mr Duncan Smith said the current system had been exploited and abused because of political fear about reforming a benefit for the disabled.
Disability campaigners have warned ministers that the new assessment must be fair, otherwise people with serious disabilities could lose the money they need to cover costs such as maintaining wheelchairs and using specially-adapted cars.
For Labour, shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne said: "This government has approached the vital reform of disability benefits with a mix of contempt and carelessness. Mr Duncan Smith wants to cut at least a fifth - almost £2.2bn - off the £13bn annual bill, according to the Daily Telegraph.
You can read more about this story on the BBC News website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18054734
Therapeutic approaches to social work in residential child care settings
We can open up and talk, rather than closing everything down
Young person in residential child care, Social Care TV film
SCIE’s newly launched report and at a glance briefing, produced in partnership with the Institute of Child Care Research in Belfast, focus on how residential child care staff in Northern Ireland trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches to enhance their practice and relationships with the young people.
Children and young people in care are among the most vulnerable in society. Compared to the looked-after population in general, children in residential child care have some of the highest levels of need, including increased emotional and behavioural difficulties.
What are therapeutic approaches?
Therapeutic approaches describe ways of working in which residential child care workers use a therapeutic perspective in their day-to-day social work with children and young people. This includes having a better understanding of how children’s experiences affect them, considering their emotional needs and fostering resilience.
Key findings from the study included:
• Therapeutic approaches can help residential child care staff to use a therapeutic perspective in their day-to-day work
• The approach is concerned with empowering all staff, not just those with therapeutic qualifications
• Staff reported the approach enhanced the consistency of their practice and their relationships with the young people
• Young people were often not aware that a new approach was being used, but noticed an improved ‘atmosphere’.
A newly launched a Social Care TV film accompanies the report. The film illustrates the impact of the approaches, focusing on the Lakewood Secure Unit in Bangor. Young people in the film say that talking about trauma and sharing stories means that they can “open up and talk, rather than closing everything down”. Training for all staff, including kitchen staff, has helped them to create a calmer, and more positive environment.
Young person in residential child care, Social Care TV film
SCIE’s newly launched report and at a glance briefing, produced in partnership with the Institute of Child Care Research in Belfast, focus on how residential child care staff in Northern Ireland trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches to enhance their practice and relationships with the young people.
Children and young people in care are among the most vulnerable in society. Compared to the looked-after population in general, children in residential child care have some of the highest levels of need, including increased emotional and behavioural difficulties.
What are therapeutic approaches?
Therapeutic approaches describe ways of working in which residential child care workers use a therapeutic perspective in their day-to-day social work with children and young people. This includes having a better understanding of how children’s experiences affect them, considering their emotional needs and fostering resilience.
Key findings from the study included:
• Therapeutic approaches can help residential child care staff to use a therapeutic perspective in their day-to-day work
• The approach is concerned with empowering all staff, not just those with therapeutic qualifications
• Staff reported the approach enhanced the consistency of their practice and their relationships with the young people
• Young people were often not aware that a new approach was being used, but noticed an improved ‘atmosphere’.
A newly launched a Social Care TV film accompanies the report. The film illustrates the impact of the approaches, focusing on the Lakewood Secure Unit in Bangor. Young people in the film say that talking about trauma and sharing stories means that they can “open up and talk, rather than closing everything down”. Training for all staff, including kitchen staff, has helped them to create a calmer, and more positive environment.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
Next Week On Radio 4: Children, Drugs & Alternatives To Custody
Next week on BBC Radio 4:
Monday 14th May, 8.00 pm The Trouble With Kane (1/2). Documentary about a 12 year old cannabis user, one of the first youngsters in Britain to be given intensive family therapy, coupled with intensive home drug-testing, as an alternative to custody.
You can listen to the programme on BBC Radio 4 online (once its been broadcast) at this address: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hq80p or by any other radio of course!
Monday 14th May, 8.00 pm The Trouble With Kane (1/2). Documentary about a 12 year old cannabis user, one of the first youngsters in Britain to be given intensive family therapy, coupled with intensive home drug-testing, as an alternative to custody.
You can listen to the programme on BBC Radio 4 online (once its been broadcast) at this address: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01hq80p or by any other radio of course!
The Impact Of Child Protection Services Upon Children
The Office of the Children's Commissioner has published a response to the DfE consultation: Children's Safeguarding Performance Information Consultation.
The consultation on performance measures poses questions that oblige local authorities and their partners in safeguarding to find effective ways of learning about the impact of services from children and young people themselves. This response is based on conversations with young people who have experience of care and/or child protection processes. The intention is to assist local authorities and partner agencies in developing performance measures which connect with children’s experiences and which enable improvements to be made to outcomes for them.
The response is freely available to download here: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_569
The consultation on performance measures poses questions that oblige local authorities and their partners in safeguarding to find effective ways of learning about the impact of services from children and young people themselves. This response is based on conversations with young people who have experience of care and/or child protection processes. The intention is to assist local authorities and partner agencies in developing performance measures which connect with children’s experiences and which enable improvements to be made to outcomes for them.
The response is freely available to download here: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_569
Response To The Cross-Government Consultation On The Definition Of Domestic Violence
The Office of the Children's Commissioner has published a response to the cross-government consultation on the definition of domestic violence.
The response is based on: Emerging evidence from the Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups; Research into children’s experience of risk and child protection; Research into the mental health needs of children in the youth justice system; Internal expertise across safeguarding, child abuse, domestic violence, health and serious youth violence, held at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
The response is freely available to download here: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_568
The response is based on: Emerging evidence from the Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups; Research into children’s experience of risk and child protection; Research into the mental health needs of children in the youth justice system; Internal expertise across safeguarding, child abuse, domestic violence, health and serious youth violence, held at the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.
The response is freely available to download here: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_568
Social Determinants Of Health & Well-being Among Young People
The World Health Organisation has published a new report which looks at how health and well-being inschool-aged children in determined by their social circumstances.
The report gives the results of the 2009/2010 HBSC survey, covering 39 countries and regions across the European Region and North America. It collected data from 11, 13 and 15-year-olds on 60 topics related to their health and well-being, social environments and behaviour. Responding to the survey, the young people described their social context (relations with family, peers and school), physical health and satisfaction with life, health behaviours (patterns of eating, tooth brushing and physical activity) and risk behaviours (use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, sexual behaviour, fighting and bullying). Statistical analyses were carried out to identify meaningful differences in the prevalence of health and social indicators by gender, age group and levels of family affluence.
The report is available to view here: http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/Life-stages/child-and-adolescent-health/publications/2012/social-determinants-of-health-and-well-being-among-young-people.-health-behaviour-in-school-aged-children-hbsc-study
The report gives the results of the 2009/2010 HBSC survey, covering 39 countries and regions across the European Region and North America. It collected data from 11, 13 and 15-year-olds on 60 topics related to their health and well-being, social environments and behaviour. Responding to the survey, the young people described their social context (relations with family, peers and school), physical health and satisfaction with life, health behaviours (patterns of eating, tooth brushing and physical activity) and risk behaviours (use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, sexual behaviour, fighting and bullying). Statistical analyses were carried out to identify meaningful differences in the prevalence of health and social indicators by gender, age group and levels of family affluence.
The report is available to view here: http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/health-topics/Life-stages/child-and-adolescent-health/publications/2012/social-determinants-of-health-and-well-being-among-young-people.-health-behaviour-in-school-aged-children-hbsc-study
Changing The Game For Girls
A study by Loughborough University's Institute of Youth Sport for the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation says that girls are not getting enough exercise because most are put off by school PE lessons.
Forty five per cent of those surveyed said “sport is too competitive”, 48% think it is “not feminine” and more than 50% believe boys enjoy sport more. The WSFC recommends making sport more appealing by offering activities like dance and martial arts at school.
The report is freely available to download here: http://wsff.org.uk/publications/reports/changing-the-game-for-girls
Forty five per cent of those surveyed said “sport is too competitive”, 48% think it is “not feminine” and more than 50% believe boys enjoy sport more. The WSFC recommends making sport more appealing by offering activities like dance and martial arts at school.
The report is freely available to download here: http://wsff.org.uk/publications/reports/changing-the-game-for-girls
Is Social Mobility In Britain The Worst In The Western World?
The All Party Group On Social Mobility has published a report which advises that social mobility in Britain is the worst in the Western world and the gap between rich and poor has become ingrained in children as young as three.
It quotes an OECD study showing that the prospects of half of all children born in the UK can be almost entirely linked to the circumstances of their parents – compared to only 15 per cent of those in Denmark. The Group calls for more intervention in the lives of under-threes and advises that the biggest impact on social mobility was the quality of parenting, whether the home environment was educational and whether the parents had good mental health.
The report and a video of a presentation "Seven Truths About Social Mobility" are available to view here: http://www.appg-socialmobility.org/
It quotes an OECD study showing that the prospects of half of all children born in the UK can be almost entirely linked to the circumstances of their parents – compared to only 15 per cent of those in Denmark. The Group calls for more intervention in the lives of under-threes and advises that the biggest impact on social mobility was the quality of parenting, whether the home environment was educational and whether the parents had good mental health.
The report and a video of a presentation "Seven Truths About Social Mobility" are available to view here: http://www.appg-socialmobility.org/
Children's Charities Adapting To Austerity
A report by the National Children’s Bureau estimates that the 34,000 charities in England that work mainly with children and young people face cuts of almost £405m in statutory funding over the five years up to 2015/6. A significant minority of charities fear closure over the coming year. NCB consulted 74 charities and found they are taking various actions to manage the impact of the cuts: reducing the number of staff; cutting back on the range of services they offer; developing consortia and mergers. The survey also found that charities face barriers to dealing with the financial challenge due to a lack of capacity to develop partnerships and shared services, and a lack of understanding about new business and funding models.
The report is available to read here: http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/705870/beyond_the_cuts.pdf
The report is available to read here: http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/705870/beyond_the_cuts.pdf
Legal Aid, Sentencing & Punishment Of Offenders Bill Given Royal Assent
Royal Assent has been given for the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill. The Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 21 June 2011 and received Royal Assent on 1 May 2012. The passing of the Act means a wide range of changes to the justice system can now go ahead. They include: creating a new offence of threatening people with a knife in public or at schools, with a mandatory prison sentence; focusing legal aid on cases where legal help is most needed, where people’s life or liberty is at stake or they are at risk of serious physical harm, face immediate loss of their home or their children may be taken into care, and reducing the £2.1 billion per year legal aid bill for England and Wales.
The full press release is available here on the Justice website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/press-releases/moj/royal-assent-for-legal-aid,-sentencing-and-punishment-of-offenders-bill
The full press release is available here on the Justice website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/press-releases/moj/royal-assent-for-legal-aid,-sentencing-and-punishment-of-offenders-bill
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Launch of GSCC's Practice Placement Report
The General Social Care Council (GSCC) today published its report, “The supply of social work practice placements: employers’ views” which analyses the views of employers on the provision of practice placements for social work students. This report is the first of five learning and research reports that will be published by the GSCC ahead of its closure on the 31 July 2012.
The press release which includes a link to the report can be found on the GSCC website - http://www.gscc.org.uk/news/47/Employers+value+experience+of+having+students+on+placements%2C+GSCC+report+finds.html
Kerrin Clapton, the author of the report has also written a blog for the Guardian Social Care Network which was published this morning. This can be viewed here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/social-care-network/2012/may/02/social-work-practice-placement-students
The press release which includes a link to the report can be found on the GSCC website - http://www.gscc.org.uk/news/47/Employers+value+experience+of+having+students+on+placements%2C+GSCC+report+finds.html
Kerrin Clapton, the author of the report has also written a blog for the Guardian Social Care Network which was published this morning. This can be viewed here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/social-care-network/2012/may/02/social-work-practice-placement-students
Binding For Dissertations
Recently a number of you have asked me about getting your dissertations bound. The library has a binding machine in the Reprographics Room on the Ground Floor. You can use it to bind your own dissertation - as long as you've bought the covers and the ring binder.
Alternatively, if you'd prefer to have someone else do the binding for you, this job has now been taken over by Jenny Hadfield of Reprographics. You can find Jenny in the Copy Shop at the Bedford Campus in room P.0.55 (main block). They are open Monday - Friday 09.00-16.30.
Alternatively, if you'd prefer to have someone else do the binding for you, this job has now been taken over by Jenny Hadfield of Reprographics. You can find Jenny in the Copy Shop at the Bedford Campus in room P.0.55 (main block). They are open Monday - Friday 09.00-16.30.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
The Case For Reforming The Law On Child Neglect
Neglect can have some of the worst and most long-term effects on a child's brain, physical development, behaviour, educational achievement and emotional wellbeing and Action for Children is calling for this to be recognised in law. The criminal law on neglect was passed in 1933 and Action for Children warns that it is out of date because it doesn’t cover all forms of neglect, particularly emotional neglect. The charity argues that in order to meet its purpose of prevention of neglect, the criminal offence and its associated sentencing guidelines should be updated to reflect the true nature of neglect, and should be re-written to enable early intervention and support for families. It is therefore calling on the government to commit to a review of the law on neglect during this Parliament.
The full report is available here: http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/media/3788628/action_for_children_keeping_children_safe_the_case_for_reforming_the_law_on_child_neglect.pdf
The full report is available here: http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/media/3788628/action_for_children_keeping_children_safe_the_case_for_reforming_the_law_on_child_neglect.pdf
Sexting & Sexual Grooming
Stockport MP, Ann Coffey introduced a Westminster Hall debate on the growing phenomenon of "sexting" - the sharing of sexually suggestive messages or images electronically, primarily between mobile phones. She said that sexting was often used as a form of cyber-bullying and that the link between sexual grooming and sexting is becoming increasingly apparent (according to the children's charity Beat Bullying). Increasingly younger children are being affected. Ms Coffey said that the mobile phone industry should do more to highlight some of the dangers of its products and suggested that the Children’s Minister should raise some of her specific ideas when he next met with the mobile phone companies.
You can read a summary of the debate here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120425/halltext/120425h0001.htm#12042537000002
You can read a summary of the debate here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120425/halltext/120425h0001.htm#12042537000002
Alarms About Malnutrition As More Children Turn Up To School Hungry
A study by the Prince’s Trust and the Times Educational Supplement suggests that growing numbers of children are turning up at school malnourished, dirty and struggling to concentrate because of increasing poverty. The survey of 515 teachers from schools across England is the latest to highlight the impact increasing poverty is having on children. According to the research, the most effective methods of helping deprived pupils cope with the impact of poverty is to provide them with mentors, However, two fifths of teachers said they did not have enough support to do this.
You can read about the research here: http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about_the_trust/headline_news/national_news_2012/1204_teacher_survey.aspx
You can read about the research here: http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/about_the_trust/headline_news/national_news_2012/1204_teacher_survey.aspx
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
New Report & Film Reveal The Shocking Impact Of Tobacco Packagin On Children
New research published by Cancer Research UK claims that tobacco companies are designing cigarette packs to resemble bottles of perfume or with lids that flip open like a lighter to lure young people into smoking. It said the findings provided a “chilling insight” into the power of branding and marketing by the tobacco industry.
Young people and women are identified as target groups to aim tobacco packaging at according to the new report which has been published alongside a short film that illustrates children's reactions to the slickly designed cigarette packs.
You can view both the film and report here: Tobacco packaging.
Young people and women are identified as target groups to aim tobacco packaging at according to the new report which has been published alongside a short film that illustrates children's reactions to the slickly designed cigarette packs.
You can view both the film and report here: Tobacco packaging.
British Teenagers Among The Worst For Sex & Drinking
Research published in the Lancet Series on Adolescent Health suggests that British teenagers are among the world’s worst for binge drinking and underage sex. In a league table of 40 mostly high-income countries, England had the fourth highest percentage of young people who have been drunk by the age of 13, with Wales fifth and Scotland eighth. Britain also had the third highest rate of sexual activity among 13 to 15-year-old girls in the study of 17 Western European nations, with 32 per cent saying they were sexually active. The two studies used figures for 2006, the most recent year of international comparable data. The research suggest that the wellbeing of teenagers has improved far less over the past 50 years than that of children under 10.
You can read the research here: http://www.thelancet.com/series/adolescent-health-2012
You can read the research here: http://www.thelancet.com/series/adolescent-health-2012
Information Literacy Drop-ins
I've just posted the new programme of information literacy 'drop-in' workshops on the "Workshops" page. The workshops will cover: using ebooks; finding journal articles with Ebscohost Research Databases, getting the best from Google Scholar, RefWorks fundamentals, RefWorks advanced and using databases other than Ebsco.
All the workshops are offered on a 'drop-in' basis - there's no need to book, just drop-in! They will all take place in Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1 (top floor) at the dates and times shown.
Please note: If you would like to attend a workshop but you can't make it at the time you can always contact me to arrange an appointment - individual appointments or groups doesn't matter! Also, if there are any other topics that I haven't covered but you wish I'd provide workshops on then drop me an email at: sally.fensome@beds.ac.uk and I'll see what I can do.
All the workshops are offered on a 'drop-in' basis - there's no need to book, just drop-in! They will all take place in Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1 (top floor) at the dates and times shown.
Please note: If you would like to attend a workshop but you can't make it at the time you can always contact me to arrange an appointment - individual appointments or groups doesn't matter! Also, if there are any other topics that I haven't covered but you wish I'd provide workshops on then drop me an email at: sally.fensome@beds.ac.uk and I'll see what I can do.
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