Official Department of Education figures, released last week show that pupils with special educational needs are around nine times more likely to be permanently excluded than those with none – up from eight times the previous year.
Barnardos have warned that schools must tackle the causes and not just the symptoms of unruly behaviour. The call comes ahead of a new two part Channel 4 documentary which follows children from one of its specialist schools. The first episode is tonight (Tuesday 31st July) at 10.00 pm on Channel 4.
You can read more about this programme & view some clips on the Channel 4 website here: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/lost-children
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Benefits Cheats Cause A Negative Image Of Disabled People: New Report
New Research by the disability charity, Scope shows that almost half (46%) of disabled people feel that attitudes towards them have worsened over the last year.
Disabled people single out the tiny number of people falsely claiming disability benefits and the way their actions are reported by the media as the chief causes of public hostility. At the same time disabled people report that they are increasingly confronted by strangers questioning their right to support.
It comes after ministers released data suggesting 55% of sickness benefit claimants were no longer eligible for it. The government is changing the welfare system to try to get more people into work and is scrapping the three main benefits for disabled people in the process. Anyone receiving these benefits will be reviewed to see if they are capable of work or eligible for other benefits.
But a report from a parliamentary committee for Scope has warned that changes to disabled people's benefits may risk their right to independent living. The report asked 500 disabled people, their parents and carers a series of questions in England, Wales and Scotland. It found:
Disabled people single out the tiny number of people falsely claiming disability benefits and the way their actions are reported by the media as the chief causes of public hostility. At the same time disabled people report that they are increasingly confronted by strangers questioning their right to support.
It comes after ministers released data suggesting 55% of sickness benefit claimants were no longer eligible for it. The government is changing the welfare system to try to get more people into work and is scrapping the three main benefits for disabled people in the process. Anyone receiving these benefits will be reviewed to see if they are capable of work or eligible for other benefits.
But a report from a parliamentary committee for Scope has warned that changes to disabled people's benefits may risk their right to independent living. The report asked 500 disabled people, their parents and carers a series of questions in England, Wales and Scotland. It found:
- 46% of those polled said people's attitudes towards them had worsened over the last year
- 40% said people's atitudes had stayed the same; 16% said they had improved
- Nearly two-thirds (64%) said they had experienced aggression, hostility or name calling
- Nearly three-quarters or (73%) said they had experienced an assumption they did not work.
- When asked what could be contributing to such hostility, 87% singled out people claiming disability benefits to which they are not entitled
- 84% highlighted negative media coverage about benefit cheats
Monday, 30 July 2012
Vulnerable Children 'At Risk' In New Protection System
Some of England's most vulnerable children may lose out under planned changes to the child protection system, a new campaign group has argued.
The government wants to cut bureaucracy and replace more than 700 pages of guidance with three short documents. But the group Every Child In Need say the new rules are too vague and risk letting local authorities "do what they want when they want".
The group is particularly concerned that the relaxing of the rules may lead to delays. For example, the government proposes removing the requirement for local authorities to prepare an initial assessment of a child's needs within seven working days of a referral and a more detailed assessment within seven weeks.
The group fears that "many local authorities - cash-strapped following cuts to their budgets - are happy to take this lifeline which will mean less pressure to act quickly when a child in need comes to their attention". It argues that, far from cutting bureaucracy, the changes will remove "an essential safety net for children when they are failed by their local authority".
The group also says the new rules are overly-focused on child protection and will ignore a much larger number of children who have significant needs but are not at immediate risk of abuse. They give the examples of disabled children, homeless children or children who have been trafficked.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
The government wants to cut bureaucracy and replace more than 700 pages of guidance with three short documents. But the group Every Child In Need say the new rules are too vague and risk letting local authorities "do what they want when they want".
The group is particularly concerned that the relaxing of the rules may lead to delays. For example, the government proposes removing the requirement for local authorities to prepare an initial assessment of a child's needs within seven working days of a referral and a more detailed assessment within seven weeks.
The group fears that "many local authorities - cash-strapped following cuts to their budgets - are happy to take this lifeline which will mean less pressure to act quickly when a child in need comes to their attention". It argues that, far from cutting bureaucracy, the changes will remove "an essential safety net for children when they are failed by their local authority".
The group also says the new rules are overly-focused on child protection and will ignore a much larger number of children who have significant needs but are not at immediate risk of abuse. They give the examples of disabled children, homeless children or children who have been trafficked.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
'Mate Crime': Fake Friend Abuse Can Lead To Murder Of Those With Learning Disabilities
In recent years, a severely under-reported element of learning disability hate crime has been identified as so-called "mate crime". It can include physical abuse, torture and even murder.
Steven Hoskin had learning disabilities and endured months of abuse from people he believed to be his friends. He was tortured and taken to a viaduct where he was forced to hang by his fingers from railings. His hands were then stamped on causing him to fall 100ft (30m) to his death in 2006.
Steven was a victim of what is now being called "mate crime", a type of hate crime where perpetrators befriend vulnerable people with learning disabilities and exploit them.
An organisation was so worried about the instances of mate crime that it started a campaign to highlight the problem. The Association for Real Change (ARC UK) launched its Safety Net campaign in 2009, running for three years.
Rod Landman, ARC UK regional development officer, says that financial abuse is typical of mate crime. A couple of years ago he met a group of young people with Asperger's who talked about their "Tuesday friends".
"Tuesday is the day that their benefits get paid and so a particular group of people would turn up and help them to the cash point, help them to the pub and help them spend all their money.
"Then they don't see them again for another week," Mr Landman adds.
ARC UK is concerned that, without a sustained national campaign, more vulnerable adults will be abused by people pretending to be their friends. Identifying and tackling mate crime is complicated. Victims often do not understand what is happening to them or are too afraid to tell anyone.
ARC UK also points out that people with learning disabilities often find it hard to make friendships of any sort. When it comes to abusive friendships, they can often feel "any friend is better than no friend at all".
Mr Landman says that from his experience around 99.9% of learning disability mate crime goes unreported. One of the key points of the Mental Capacity Act states "every adult has the right to make his or her own decisions and must be assumed to have capacity to make them unless it is proved otherwise".
This includes bad decisions as well as good decisions.
Living in isolation can make people more vulnerable to these "fake friends" - it is believed that it goes on unnoticed more in rural areas.
Stephen Brookes from the Disability Hate Crime Network points to figures from Cumbria. In 2011, there were only four reports of disability hate crime and one prosecution in the county, while there more than 900 prosecutions in all across England and Wales. Mr Brookes says that in rural areas people do not know how to report these crimes and there is not enough support.
As social media takes off, the internet is becoming the new place for mate crime to be acted out. When it comes to tackling this hidden form of abuse, Mr Landman believes we are only just scratching the surface.
This issue was discussed on BBC Radio 4's You & Yours programme which you can listen to here.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
Steven Hoskin had learning disabilities and endured months of abuse from people he believed to be his friends. He was tortured and taken to a viaduct where he was forced to hang by his fingers from railings. His hands were then stamped on causing him to fall 100ft (30m) to his death in 2006.
Steven was a victim of what is now being called "mate crime", a type of hate crime where perpetrators befriend vulnerable people with learning disabilities and exploit them.
An organisation was so worried about the instances of mate crime that it started a campaign to highlight the problem. The Association for Real Change (ARC UK) launched its Safety Net campaign in 2009, running for three years.
Rod Landman, ARC UK regional development officer, says that financial abuse is typical of mate crime. A couple of years ago he met a group of young people with Asperger's who talked about their "Tuesday friends".
"Tuesday is the day that their benefits get paid and so a particular group of people would turn up and help them to the cash point, help them to the pub and help them spend all their money.
"Then they don't see them again for another week," Mr Landman adds.
ARC UK is concerned that, without a sustained national campaign, more vulnerable adults will be abused by people pretending to be their friends. Identifying and tackling mate crime is complicated. Victims often do not understand what is happening to them or are too afraid to tell anyone.
ARC UK also points out that people with learning disabilities often find it hard to make friendships of any sort. When it comes to abusive friendships, they can often feel "any friend is better than no friend at all".
Mr Landman says that from his experience around 99.9% of learning disability mate crime goes unreported. One of the key points of the Mental Capacity Act states "every adult has the right to make his or her own decisions and must be assumed to have capacity to make them unless it is proved otherwise".
This includes bad decisions as well as good decisions.
Living in isolation can make people more vulnerable to these "fake friends" - it is believed that it goes on unnoticed more in rural areas.
Stephen Brookes from the Disability Hate Crime Network points to figures from Cumbria. In 2011, there were only four reports of disability hate crime and one prosecution in the county, while there more than 900 prosecutions in all across England and Wales. Mr Brookes says that in rural areas people do not know how to report these crimes and there is not enough support.
As social media takes off, the internet is becoming the new place for mate crime to be acted out. When it comes to tackling this hidden form of abuse, Mr Landman believes we are only just scratching the surface.
This issue was discussed on BBC Radio 4's You & Yours programme which you can listen to here.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
UK Teenagers Shun Drugs For A Healthier Lifestyle
Teenagers in England are shunning drink and drugs for a cleaner lifestyle, say health officials. A survey of 6,500 children aged between 11 and 15 showed the numbers taking drugs, smoking and drinking alcohol had all fallen over the past decade.
A Report by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre found 17% had tried drugs at least once in 2011, compared with 29% in 2001. The team said youngsters appeared to be living increasingly healthy lifestyles.
The survey, which questions a selection of children at English secondary schools, is carried out every year to monitor reported use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. The latest poll, carried out between September and December last year, found the number of children at each age who said they had taken drugs in the preceding 12 months was down.
Among 15-year-olds, the number fell from 39% in 2001 to 23% in 2011. Only 3% of 11-year-olds had taken drugs.
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug, although its was also down. The survey also found the proportion of 11-to-15-year-olds smoking was the lowest since the polling began in 1982, and the number of "regular" smokers had halved in the past decade. Five per cent said they smoked at least one cigarette a week compared with 10% in 2001. Just 25% said they had tried cigarettes at least once.
The proportion drinking alcohol at least once has dropped to under half - 45%, compared with 61% per cent in 2001. Only 7% reported drinking regularly, down from 20% 10 years ago.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, said: "The report shows that pupils appear to be leading an increasingly clean-living lifestyle and are less likely to take drugs as well as cigarettes and alcohol.
"All this material will be of immense interest to those who work with young people and aim to steer them towards a healthier way of life."
Siobhan McCann, of the charity Drinkaware, said: "While the decline in the number of children trying alcohol is good news, the report still shows there are 360,000 young people who reported drinking alcohol in the last week alone."
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
A Report by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre found 17% had tried drugs at least once in 2011, compared with 29% in 2001. The team said youngsters appeared to be living increasingly healthy lifestyles.
The survey, which questions a selection of children at English secondary schools, is carried out every year to monitor reported use of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. The latest poll, carried out between September and December last year, found the number of children at each age who said they had taken drugs in the preceding 12 months was down.
Among 15-year-olds, the number fell from 39% in 2001 to 23% in 2011. Only 3% of 11-year-olds had taken drugs.
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug, although its was also down. The survey also found the proportion of 11-to-15-year-olds smoking was the lowest since the polling began in 1982, and the number of "regular" smokers had halved in the past decade. Five per cent said they smoked at least one cigarette a week compared with 10% in 2001. Just 25% said they had tried cigarettes at least once.
The proportion drinking alcohol at least once has dropped to under half - 45%, compared with 61% per cent in 2001. Only 7% reported drinking regularly, down from 20% 10 years ago.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, said: "The report shows that pupils appear to be leading an increasingly clean-living lifestyle and are less likely to take drugs as well as cigarettes and alcohol.
"All this material will be of immense interest to those who work with young people and aim to steer them towards a healthier way of life."
Siobhan McCann, of the charity Drinkaware, said: "While the decline in the number of children trying alcohol is good news, the report still shows there are 360,000 young people who reported drinking alcohol in the last week alone."
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Should Adoptive Siblings Be Separated For Their Own Benefit?
Brothers and sisters facing adoption should in some cases be split up for their own benefit, the government's adoption adviser has said.
Martin Narey said the presumption that siblings are kept together can sometimes "disadvantage children". There are too few adopters willing to take brothers and sisters together, he said.He also warned that keeping siblings together may not always be in the interests of individual children. Current legal guidance to local authorities says siblings should be placed for adoption together unless there was good reason for them not to be.
Mr Narey said the law should be changed, so that "the case for placing siblings together should be considered on the needs of each individual child."
Mr Narey gave several examples of the negative consequences of keeping children from dysfunctional families together.
Monday, 23 July 2012
Child Support Changes Will Impact On 100,000 Families
One in 11 families who currently get child support payments in England
will lose out in a major shake-up of the system, government analysis
suggests.
Ministers want to charge people to use a new maintenance service to encourage them to make their own arrangements. But government analysis suggested 100,000 families were unlikely to do so and could lose child support payments as a result.
The government insisted more people will benefit from its changes overall.
Single parent charity Gingerbread, which has highlighted the government's own calculations, estimated that knocking those 100,000 families out of the system would result in the loss of £26m in child support.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
Ministers want to charge people to use a new maintenance service to encourage them to make their own arrangements. But government analysis suggested 100,000 families were unlikely to do so and could lose child support payments as a result.
The government insisted more people will benefit from its changes overall.
Single parent charity Gingerbread, which has highlighted the government's own calculations, estimated that knocking those 100,000 families out of the system would result in the loss of £26m in child support.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
Rise In Convictions For Violence Against Women
Prosecutions and convictions for crimes of violence against women and girls have risen by 15,000 over four years.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, said the rise was due to better training and a greater understanding of victims. The Refuge charity welcomed the increase but said it represented only "the tip of the iceberg".
Most victims of domestic violence suffer in silence - Mr Starmer said a woman would on average be assaulted 30 times before she sought help. In a speech he will highlight the progress he believes the CPS has made when it comes to all violent crime against women and girls.
The DPP will tell his audience that last year in England and Wales there were 91,000 prosecutions and 52,000 convictions. The CPS launched its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy in 2008.
It focused on a number of issues including domestic violence, rape, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
New Report: Listening To Troubled Families
Social workers have been
urged to get "on the sofas" of England's most dysfunctional families to
help them break a "grim" cycle of abuse. Government adviser Louise Casey said some households could
get daily visits as part of a scheme to target 120,000 of the most
troubled families.
In a report for ministers she details a picture of welfare dependency and sexual abuse going back generations. She said it was "wrong that we allow them to carry on living this way".
The government says 120,000 "troubled families" in England cost taxpayers £9bn every year - and want to turn their lives around by 2015. Ms Casey insisted the evidence showed these families could change - despite mixed results from initiatives she was involved in under the previous Labour government.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's not about left wing, it's not about right wing, it's about doing the right thing and the right thing is... to get our sleeves rolled up nationally, locally and in these people's lives.
You can read more about this story on the BBC News website here.
Louise Casey's full report is available to download here.
In a report for ministers she details a picture of welfare dependency and sexual abuse going back generations. She said it was "wrong that we allow them to carry on living this way".
The government says 120,000 "troubled families" in England cost taxpayers £9bn every year - and want to turn their lives around by 2015. Ms Casey insisted the evidence showed these families could change - despite mixed results from initiatives she was involved in under the previous Labour government.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's not about left wing, it's not about right wing, it's about doing the right thing and the right thing is... to get our sleeves rolled up nationally, locally and in these people's lives.
You can read more about this story on the BBC News website here.
Louise Casey's full report is available to download here.
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Some useful books on Critical Analysis
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| Photograph by H is for Home |
- Aveyard, H., Sharp, P. and Wooliams, M. (2011) A beginner's guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. Maidenhead: OUP. [Ebook] Like most of Aveyard's books this is very clear and gives a strightforward guide to becomming a critical thinker.
- Bell, J. (2010) Doing your research project: a guide for first time researchers in education, health and social science. 5th edn. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill / OUP. [Ebook] This classic text has a useful chapter on doing a critical literature review.
- Brown, K. and Rutter, L. (2008) Critical thinking for social work. 2nd edn. Exeter: Learning Matters. [Ebook] Contains a good chapter on writing reflective academic assignments.
- Cottrell, S. (2011) Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument. 2nd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Good, clear overview on how to develop your critical thinking skills, what to look for and interpret in materials.
Monday, 16 July 2012
TV Habits 'Can Predict' Kid's Waistlines & Fitness
Children who increase the
number of hours of weekly television they watch between the ages of two
and four years old risk larger waistlines by age 10.
The study, in a BioMed Central journal, tracked the TV habits of 1,314 children.Experts say children should not watch more than two hours of TV a day.
Researchers found that the average amount of television watched by the children at the start of the study was 8.8 hours a week. This increased on average by six hours over the next two years to reach 14.8 hours a week by the age of four-and-a-half. Fifteen per cent of the children in the study were watching more than 18 hours per week by that age, according to their parents.
The study said the effect of 18 hours of television at 4.5 years of age would by the age of 10 result in an extra 7.6mm of waist because of the child's TV habit.
As well as measuring waist circumference, the researchers also carried out a standing long jump test to measure each child's muscular fitness and athletic ability. An extra weekly hour of TV can decrease the distance a child is able to jump from standing by 0.36cm, the study said.
The researchers said that further research was needed to work out whether television watching is directly responsible for the health issues they observed.
You can check your own BMI on the NHS Choices website here.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
1.0 Introduction - Learn to Use RefWorks in Twenty Minutes
This is the first of a series of RefWorks help videos. RefWorks is the University's reference management software which allows you to store useful references online and create bibliographies, correctly referenced in your chosen style. It takes away a lot of the pain of referencing!
You will first need to set up a RefWorks account - so why not come and see your librarian and get started!
Research & Writing Tips: Avoiding Plagiarism: What Do I Need to Cite?
Here's a brief video which explains clearly when you need to reference words and ideas.
New Dissertation Drop-in!
I'm offering an extra dissertation drop in session on Monday 16th July. This isn't a formal teaching session - just drop in for a chat aout any dissertation related support you'd like, e.g. developing a research question, searching for materials, referencing, critical thinking etc.
I'll be in Library IT Training Suite 1 (top floor of Polhill Library) from 10.30 - 12.00 - so just drop in if you're interested.
Apologies for the late announcement - I've only just heard that the room's free.
I'll be in Library IT Training Suite 1 (top floor of Polhill Library) from 10.30 - 12.00 - so just drop in if you're interested.
Apologies for the late announcement - I've only just heard that the room's free.
Monday, 9 July 2012
Homophobia In Schools Needs To Be Taken More Seriously
Homophobic bullying in schools needs to be taken more seriously, according to gay rights charity Stonewall. The report, the organisation's first on the issue for five years, also says despite progress being made, there is more to be done.
The organisation surveyed 1,614 lesbian, gay and bisexual people between the ages of 11-19. Fifty-five per cent said they were targeted because of their sexuality.
The government says it is doing more to tackle homophobia in schools. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has welcomed the report but agrees more needs to be done.
You can read more on this story on the BBC Newsbeat website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/18705431
The organisation surveyed 1,614 lesbian, gay and bisexual people between the ages of 11-19. Fifty-five per cent said they were targeted because of their sexuality.
The government says it is doing more to tackle homophobia in schools. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has welcomed the report but agrees more needs to be done.
You can read more on this story on the BBC Newsbeat website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/18705431
Measuring National Well-being: Education & Skills
New research from the Office of National Statistics suggests that people who are better educated are more likely to say that they are satisfied with their lives.
The study is part of a £2m project launched by the prime minister to try to measure people's happiness and well-being. It does not say education necessarily leads to happiness. The researchers point out that many other factors affect the way people feel, including someone's age, health, income and job.
The study also shows that over time, the UK's population has become better-educated. Between 1993 and 2011, the proportion of adults aged 16 to 64 without any formal educational qualifications has more than halved from 27% to 11%, it says. Meanwhile, the proportion with a degree or equivalent qualification has more than doubled from 11% to 24%.
The study is part of a £2m project launched by the prime minister to try to measure people's happiness and well-being. It does not say education necessarily leads to happiness. The researchers point out that many other factors affect the way people feel, including someone's age, health, income and job.
The study also shows that over time, the UK's population has become better-educated. Between 1993 and 2011, the proportion of adults aged 16 to 64 without any formal educational qualifications has more than halved from 27% to 11%, it says. Meanwhile, the proportion with a degree or equivalent qualification has more than doubled from 11% to 24%.
PM Unveils 'Foster To Adopt' Plan
Prime Minister, David Cameron has said that new-born babies being taken into care should be fostered by people who want to adopt them.
Mr Cameron says the law in England will be changed to encourage more councils to do this - so more babies can find a loving home earlier.
He says it is "shocking" that so many babies taken in to care at one month wait 15 months to be adopted. The government has pledged to simplify and speed up the adoption process.
It wants babies to be placed with prospective adoptive parents before the courts have decided to remove them permanently from their natural parents. In some cases, there might be disappointment for those trying to adopt, because the courts might eventually decide to return the child to its natural parents.
Most often, children are moved from foster carers to adoptive parents once the courts have decided that the child should be adopted - a process that often takes more than a year.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18724999
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| Photograph by o5com |
Mr Cameron says the law in England will be changed to encourage more councils to do this - so more babies can find a loving home earlier.
He says it is "shocking" that so many babies taken in to care at one month wait 15 months to be adopted. The government has pledged to simplify and speed up the adoption process.
It wants babies to be placed with prospective adoptive parents before the courts have decided to remove them permanently from their natural parents. In some cases, there might be disappointment for those trying to adopt, because the courts might eventually decide to return the child to its natural parents.
Most often, children are moved from foster carers to adoptive parents once the courts have decided that the child should be adopted - a process that often takes more than a year.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-18724999
Children's Charities Warn Of Rise In The Vulnerable
The number of children living in vulnerable families could rise to more than one million by 2015, three leading UK charities have warned.
Research for the NSPCC, Action for Children and The Children's Society suggests struggling families will be badly hit by cuts to tax and benefits. They want urgent action to ensure the next generation of young does not become "victim" of austerity. Ministers say welfare reform will lift thousands of families out of poverty.
The report by Landman Economics classed about 900,000 children as living in vulnerable households in 2008. This was using a more generous measure than the government's own classification of vulnerable families. Using that wider measure it predicts the number could increase to more than a million by 2011.
Researchers found a large number of families struggling with multiple problems like unemployment, depression and poor quality housing. The study also estimated the number of youngsters living in "extremely vulnerable families" could almost double, from less than 50,000 now to 96,000 by 2015.
Cuts to benefits and public services, and the recession, have been blamed for the potential rises.
You can read more on this story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18732477
Research for the NSPCC, Action for Children and The Children's Society suggests struggling families will be badly hit by cuts to tax and benefits. They want urgent action to ensure the next generation of young does not become "victim" of austerity. Ministers say welfare reform will lift thousands of families out of poverty.
The report by Landman Economics classed about 900,000 children as living in vulnerable households in 2008. This was using a more generous measure than the government's own classification of vulnerable families. Using that wider measure it predicts the number could increase to more than a million by 2011.
Researchers found a large number of families struggling with multiple problems like unemployment, depression and poor quality housing. The study also estimated the number of youngsters living in "extremely vulnerable families" could almost double, from less than 50,000 now to 96,000 by 2015.
Cuts to benefits and public services, and the recession, have been blamed for the potential rises.
You can read more on this story here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18732477
Councils Put Stricter Time Limits On Elderly Care
Most councils are imposing unreasonably short
time limits on care for the elderly at home, according to the UK
Homecare Association.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said it illustrated the financial pressures on the system.
Around 640,000 carers visit people in their homes across the UK on a daily basis, helping them with basic tasks like dressing, washing, and heating up meals.
But as budgets tighten, increasing numbers are being told to clockwatch; having time limits set on visits.
In its survey, the UK Homecare Association heard from 739 companies providing care at people's homes, representing 90% of all local authority areas.
You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18347303
Social Care Plans Need Funding
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has said that legislation to change the
funding of social care for elderly and disabled people in England could
be introduced during this Parliament.
Last July, a review chaired by economist Andrew Dilnot put forward a raft of ideas for changes to adult social care funding in England. Chief among these was a £35,000 cap on what people should pay towards home visits or care home costs before they get help from the state.
But shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "A cap is meaningless if there is no plan to deliver it. How is it going to be paid for? What is the timetable to put it in place?"
Care Minister Paul Burstow said Labour had failed to make changes to the care system when it was in office, and that the coalition government would "spell out in detail how we will change the system to comprehensively reform it for the 21st Century".
The Care & Support Alliance says one in two people needs care in their lifetime costing more than £20,000, while one in 10 requires care costing upwards of £100,000.
You can read & listen to a brief video on this topic on the BBC News site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18754431
Last July, a review chaired by economist Andrew Dilnot put forward a raft of ideas for changes to adult social care funding in England. Chief among these was a £35,000 cap on what people should pay towards home visits or care home costs before they get help from the state.
But shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said: "A cap is meaningless if there is no plan to deliver it. How is it going to be paid for? What is the timetable to put it in place?"
Care Minister Paul Burstow said Labour had failed to make changes to the care system when it was in office, and that the coalition government would "spell out in detail how we will change the system to comprehensively reform it for the 21st Century".
The Care & Support Alliance says one in two people needs care in their lifetime costing more than £20,000, while one in 10 requires care costing upwards of £100,000.
You can read & listen to a brief video on this topic on the BBC News site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-18754431
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Research & Writing Tips: Analysis
Yet more from Macquarie University! This video talks about critical analysis again and how to go about it. Suitable for undergrads and postgrads.
Research & Writing Tips: Reading & Summarising
Here's another good video from Macquarie University which explains how to read and take notes whilst researching. Again it says it's aimed at postgraduate students but this advice is applicable to undergrads too.
Research & Writing Tips: How To Critically Analyse An Article
This in an excellent video from Macquarie University in Australia which explains how to critique a journal article and show critical analysis. It gives examples of the difference between writing purely descriptively and showing evidence of proper critical analysis. The video says it's aimed at postgraduate students - but don't let that put you off, this advice applies to university students at any level.
On TV Next Week...
- Britain on the brink: back to the 20s? - Panorama BBC1 8.30-9.00 pm, Monday 9th July. With Britain in its longest financial slump for decades, Adam Shaw investigates whether we can cope with a new age of austerity that might bring similar social and political upheaval to 1970s.
- Riots: the aftershock BBC3 9.00-10.00 pm, Monday 9th July. Gemma Cairney investigates how the riots in England last August changed the lives of those involved. Over nine months, cameras follow thre people who were arrested, as well as several victims of violent disturbances.
- The town that never retired (1/2) BBC1 9.00-10.00 pm, Wednesday 11th July. In the first on two programmes (the second episode is at 9pm on Thursday 12th July) The Apprentice's Nick Hewer and Margaret Mountford head up an experiment in Preston to see if men and women in their 70s can still cut it in the modern workplace. With life expectancy in the UK rising and the pension pot tight, the government is looking to raise the retirement age to reflect this societal change - and some would claim economic necessity. Part of the BBC's ageing season.
- June Brown: Respect your elders BBC1 10.35-11.25 pm, Thursday 12th July. Veteran Eastenders star, June Brown talks to older people about their varied experiences in the care system, including her former on-screen husband John Bardon, who had a stroke five years ago and now needs 24 hour care.
Research & Writing Tips: Planning your time
Here's a brief video about time management during your dissertation. The students in this video are all education students doing an action research project but the general advice they give about organising your time applies to any subject.
If you have a cat you'll like this...
And now for a bit of light relief! If, like me, you are a cat owner you'll find this video very funny. If you're not you'll probably wonder what all the fuss is about! Here is Simon's cat in TV Dinner.
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
When I Get Older...
On TV this week a two part documentary When I get older looks at the harsh realities about the elderly.
Four famous pensioners: Tony Robinson, Gloria Hunniford, Lesley Joseph and John Simpson spend a few days living with old folk who are struggling.
John's time with an isolated OAP lays bare the reality of loneliness, while Lesly shares in the pain of a couple with ill health. Gloria joins a grandmother living in grinding poverty and Tony faces the anguish of a pensioner's bereavement.
When I get older is on Wenesday 4th July BBC 1, 9.00-10.00 pm. The second instalment which looks at life in care homes will be broadcast the following day Thursday 5th July BBC 1, 9.00-10.. pm.
It will alos be available to watch on BBCiPlayer.
Four famous pensioners: Tony Robinson, Gloria Hunniford, Lesley Joseph and John Simpson spend a few days living with old folk who are struggling.
John's time with an isolated OAP lays bare the reality of loneliness, while Lesly shares in the pain of a couple with ill health. Gloria joins a grandmother living in grinding poverty and Tony faces the anguish of a pensioner's bereavement.
When I get older is on Wenesday 4th July BBC 1, 9.00-10.00 pm. The second instalment which looks at life in care homes will be broadcast the following day Thursday 5th July BBC 1, 9.00-10.. pm.
It will alos be available to watch on BBCiPlayer.
A Teenager's Life In Care: 'Sex, Drink & Drugs'
There is a special feature on the BBC News website about the sexual exploitation of a teenager whilst in care.
Julie, not her real name, was placed in care at the age of 11, where she remained until she was 18, staying in a combination of foster homes and children's homes. Now 19, she has spoken to Newsnight about her experiences of sexual exploitation.
You can read the full feature here.
You can watch this episode of Newsnight on the sexual exploitation of children and what is being done to combat it on Tuesday 3rd July, 22.30 BST on BBC2, then afterwards on BBCiPlayer here.
Julie, not her real name, was placed in care at the age of 11, where she remained until she was 18, staying in a combination of foster homes and children's homes. Now 19, she has spoken to Newsnight about her experiences of sexual exploitation.
You can read the full feature here.
You can watch this episode of Newsnight on the sexual exploitation of children and what is being done to combat it on Tuesday 3rd July, 22.30 BST on BBC2, then afterwards on BBCiPlayer here.
Report Hilights 'Barriers' To Dementia Diagnosis
A new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia says that many patients face "shocking" delays for dementia diagnosis and treatment. It claims that GPs are often seen as barriers to a diagnosis and that some people have to wait more than a year for an appointment at a memory clinic.
The inquiry was set up to examine big discrepancies in dementia diagnosis rates. Across the UK it is estimated that only 43% of people with the disease have a formal diagnosis.Scotland has the highest rate with 64.5%. In Northern Ireland it is 61.5% and in England it is 41%. The diagnosis rate is lowest in Wales, with 37.4%.
The report says there is strong evidence to show the benefit of early diagnosis for people with dementia, their families, and also to the taxpayer.
But the inquiry highlights what it calls "barriers" to diagnosis and treatment, after looking at evidence submitted by more than 1,000 carers, GPs and hospital specialists.
These include poor public understanding of dementia. More than a third of carers who responded said the person with the condition had waited more than a year to go to their GP. The report says many came to regard GPs as barriers to diagnosis rather than gatekeepers.
It also identifies big variations in access to memory services. Some people reported having to wait more than a year for an appointment at a memory clinic, while for others it was just a few weeks.
And it says people often received no information or support following diagnosis.
The inquiry was set up to examine big discrepancies in dementia diagnosis rates. Across the UK it is estimated that only 43% of people with the disease have a formal diagnosis.Scotland has the highest rate with 64.5%. In Northern Ireland it is 61.5% and in England it is 41%. The diagnosis rate is lowest in Wales, with 37.4%.
The report says there is strong evidence to show the benefit of early diagnosis for people with dementia, their families, and also to the taxpayer.
But the inquiry highlights what it calls "barriers" to diagnosis and treatment, after looking at evidence submitted by more than 1,000 carers, GPs and hospital specialists.
These include poor public understanding of dementia. More than a third of carers who responded said the person with the condition had waited more than a year to go to their GP. The report says many came to regard GPs as barriers to diagnosis rather than gatekeepers.
It also identifies big variations in access to memory services. Some people reported having to wait more than a year for an appointment at a memory clinic, while for others it was just a few weeks.
And it says people often received no information or support following diagnosis.
Child Abuse In Care Homes: Children Subjected To 'Violent & Sadistic' Sexual Abuse
She made the comments as the government announced new reforms that aim to better protect youngsters who reside in the country's 455 children's homes.
The action comes following a report published by Ms Berelowitz, which was ordered after the jailing of a sex abuse ring in May which preyed on vulnerable girls in Rochdale. Only one of the girls was in care at the time of the abuse but all were known to social services at some point in their childhood.
The ongoing inquiry has highlighted evidence that children in care are particularly vulnerable to child sex exploitation, with some residential homes being specifically targeted by abusers.Ms Berelowitz said her research found perpetrators come from all ethnic groups, as do their victims, who are as young as 11 and are largely but not exclusively girls.
Speaking alongside Children's Minister Tim Loughton as he announced the new measures, she said of the abuse: "It is of a violent and sadistic nature. I've been in the children's services field for a very long time, and I have never come across the scale of violence and sadism that I'm encountering now. The stories that children and young people tell us are truly horrific."
"I think it's quite right and proper that the Government is paying special attention to this group of children as the state is their parent and therefore we have a special duty of care to children who are under care orders of one kind or another."
A spokesman for Ofsted welcomed the government's commitment to reform, adding that its own inspections of children's homes were constantly reviewed.
Monday, 2 July 2012
Dissertation Workshops
The following dissertation Drop-ins are available for July:
RefWorks Basics - Learn how to set up a RefWorks account, add references manually or import them directly from the Library Catalogue, Ebscohost Research Databases, organise your references into folders and create a bibliography in the correct style. Tuesday, 10th July, 10.30 - 12.00, Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1.
RefWorks Advanced - Learn how to import references directly from Google Scholar, download RefGrab-it and import references directly from webpages, download Write-N-Cite and create in-text citations, share folders etc. Tuesday, 17th July, 10.30 - 12.00, Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1.
Researching Your Dissertation - Drop-in for a chat about any dissertation-related questions you may have, e.g. researching your topic, developing a research question, reviewing the literature that you find etc. Tuesday, 24th July, 10.30 - 12.30, Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1.
RefWorks Basics - Learn how to set up a RefWorks account, add references manually or import them directly from the Library Catalogue, Ebscohost Research Databases, organise your references into folders and create a bibliography in the correct style. Tuesday, 10th July, 10.30 - 12.00, Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1.
RefWorks Advanced - Learn how to import references directly from Google Scholar, download RefGrab-it and import references directly from webpages, download Write-N-Cite and create in-text citations, share folders etc. Tuesday, 17th July, 10.30 - 12.00, Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1.
Researching Your Dissertation - Drop-in for a chat about any dissertation-related questions you may have, e.g. researching your topic, developing a research question, reviewing the literature that you find etc. Tuesday, 24th July, 10.30 - 12.30, Polhill Library IT Training Suite 1.
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