Beveridge Report: From 'deserving poor' to 'scroungers'

BBC News Magazine has an extensive article on the history of the welfare state and the public's changing attitudes.

Many people today are more suspicious of those claiming benefits, viewing them as 'scroungers' rather than 'deserving poor' - although research shows that benefit fraud is very low.

You can read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20431729

Disability History Month Free Event

As part of Disability History month the University of Bedfordshire will be presenting 'Inspired' with Laurence Clark. The show will take place on:

Friday 7 December 2012 at 7:30pm
at University of Bedfordshire Theatre
Bedford Campus, Polhill Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9EA

Laurence Clark is an internationally-acclaimed comedian, presenter, writer and actor who has cerebral palsy. His observational, political stand-up and hidden camera footage demonstrate the endearing naivety and ridiculousness of
human behaviour by seeing the world through his
eyes with humour and warmth. He’s performed everywhere from the House of Commons to a double-decker bus in Sheffield. His 7 critically acclaimed solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe have gained him 25 4-star and 3 5-star reviews. With television appearances on BBC, ITV and Channel 4, Laurence was the subject of a major
BBC1 documentary called “We Won’t Drop the Baby” shown in March 2012. He was awarded Shortlist magazine’s Funniest New Comedian, and writes for The Independent and The Guardian.

To book your free place call the booking office on: 0800 328 5334 or e-mail: knowledge@beds.ac.uk

Attendance to this event is through Bookings only

New Report by The University of Bedforshire into Gang Sexual Exploitation

Photograph by Ulrica

The Office of the Children's Commissioner has released a new report: I thought I was the only one. The only one in the world which reveals that thousands of children are sexually abused by gangs and groups in England each year. 


The study says there were 2,409 victims in the 14 months to October 2011 - but the true number is likely to be far higher. The report also identifies 16,500 children who were at "high risk of sexual exploitation" in 2010-11.

As part of the study the University of Bedfordshire was commissioned to examine sexual violence in gangs. The interim report Research into gang associated sexual explotation and sexual violence is available to read here.

Prison mental health team stretched by 'serious' increase in demand - 9/28/2012 - Community Care

Photograph by Mikecogh

In more news on mental health, prisons watchdog warns of "serious and sharply increasing" problem of prisoners presenting with mental health and personality disorders.

An annual report to ministers by the independent monitoring board at HMP Pentonville revealed mental health teams at the prison received 24 referrals a week in 2011/12, up from 18 referrals a week last year. Incidents of self harm had also “increased very significantly” over the last year.


The watchdog said the reasons behind the spike in mental health demand at the prison “were not fully understood”. But it warned of the need for extra resources to bolster the mental health support on offer.

The full article is available to read here in Community Care:
Prison mental health team stretched by 'serious' increase in demand - 9/28/2012 - Community Care

Failings in ethnic minority mental health care ignored - 10/31/2012 - Community Care

The government talks about mental health reform but has taken little action to address inequalities in a system where ethnic minorities are over-represented and under supported, writes Professor Kamaldeep Bhui.

Professor Bhui claims that the government’s efforts to reorganise health and social care to promote public mental health fails to pay any attention to inequalities. Aside from the odd mention in policy statements and the ongoing rhetoric about the perils of state multiculturalism, there is little action.

You can read the full article in Community Care here: Failings in ethnic minority mental health care ignored - 10/31/2012 - Community Care

Amazing Parrot Singing Gangnam style

Nothing to do with social sciences but this made me laugh this morning!

RefWorks Workshops

Just to remind everyone...

I am holding 2 'drop-in' workshops for RefWorks, the University's referencing software this term. The workshops will cover creating an account, importing references from DISCOVER, the Library Catalogue and the web and creating a bibliography. Also a chance to deal with any RefWorks related questions you may have.

There's no need to book just turn up if you're interested. Dates and times are:

• Tuesday, 27th November. 1.00 - 2.00 in Polhill Library IT Training Suite 2
• Tuesday 4th December. 1.00 - 2.00 in Polhill Library IT Training Suite 2

Saturday Extended Opening Hours

Bedford, Polhill Campus Library will be open until 22.00 hrs on the following Saturdays:

• 24th November
• Ist December
• 8th December
• 5th January
• 12th January
• 19th January
• 26th January

Library staff will leave at 15.45 and security staff will keep the building open until 22.00.

Social Workers At 'Rock Bottom' Over Issue Of Race & Adoption

A report in today's The Guardian newspaper says that social worker's morale is at 'rock bottom' by cuts, targets and ministers making the issue of race and adoption a "political football", according to the biggest professional association.

Nushra Mansuri, of the British Association of Social Workers, is expected to criticise the education secretary Michael Gove, who accused social workers of condemning black and Asian children to a life in care rather than see them adopted by white couples.

"Leftwing prescriptions are denying children the love they need," Gove said in February. "This misguided nonsense punishes those who most need our help." The coalition later amended practice guidelines to speed up the adoption process and emphasise the determination of ministers to see more trans-racial adoptions.

"We are angry being misrepresented in this way," said Mansuri, who speaks for 14,000 social workers. "It is easy to talk about children in care who need to be with loving families and we are concerned about that. But we also know that only a minority can be adopted."

Mansuri, who will address the Lords select committee on adoption legislation led by Lady Butler-Sloss, said ministers increased their popularity by highlighting difficulties in adoption but did not take responsibility: "They set the policies and release the resources. What Gove said is an example of adoption as a political football, of the misrepresentation and distortion that gets people's backs up."

You can read the full story in The Guardian here.

International Crackdown On Human Trafficking

Immigration Minister Mark Harper has joined with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to call on international partners to redouble efforts against human trafficking. He outlined work the government is undertaking to tackle this crime, both in the UK and overseas. This includes:

• work with embassies and high commissions of key source countries
• collaboration between the Metropolitan Police, the Romanian National Police and the Romanian Embassy to share intelligence
• work by Border Force officials to identify victims
• victim care under a contract run by the Salvation Army

Mark Harper said: 'Human trafficking is an atrocious crime that requires a strong and robust approach, both from within the UK and internationally.


'The government will continue to identify what further we can do to stop people from becoming victims in the first place and, if they do, how we can best support them to recover and recuperate from their terrible ordeal.

'Our aim is to build on our collective efforts with international partners so far to continue to support victims and to identify and punish perpetrators.'

The top five countries for trafficking, based on potential victims referred through the UK's victim care system, are Nigeria, Vietnam, Romania, China and Slovakia. The top ten countries accounted for more than 64% of all referrals in 2011.









 

Mexxy, Black Mamba & Other 'Legal Highs' To Be Banned

The Home Office has announced  that a number of so-called ‘legal highs’ will become illegal Class B drugs.

Following advice from the government's independent drug experts, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), new synthetic cannabinoids (such as those sold under the name 'Black Mamba') and methoxetamine (sold as Mexxy) and its related compounds will be classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The decision comes days after the ACMD recommended banning the substances because of their health and social harms. Minister for Crime Prevention Jeremy Browne said: 'High quality scientific advice is vital to the government's ongoing work to tackle harmful drug use. The independent advice we receive from the ACMD is critical to our evidence-based drugs policy.

'People who take 'legal highs' are taking serious risks with their lives because often they do not know what they are taking and the drugs may contain harmful substances.'


Since March this year, methoxetamine has been subject of the UK's first temporary class drug order (TCDO) following advice from the ACMD. It will remain a temporary class drug until parliament approves its classification. In its advice on methoxetamine the ACMD has indicated that the temporary ban may have had 'real and immediate impact on tackling internet sales of methoxetamine with a significant proportion of UK websites ceasing to advertise its sale.'

The government has also agreed to implement the ACMD's other recommendations on these substances including updating public health information on the drugs awareness website Frank.

NSPCC Issues Parental Advice Over Signs Of Abuse

The NSPCC has issued new guidance for parents to help them spot the signs of sexual abuse in children.

The charity says it has brought forward publication of the guide because of the number of calls it has received since allegations of abuse against Jimmy Savile emerged.

It says that since then it has received a 60% increase in calls expressing concern that a child is being abused.The charity also says most abusers are someone "close to the child".

More than a third of current calls to the NSPCC about child sexual abuse are made by the child's own parent. Research suggests 80% of such offences take place in the home of either the offender or the victim.

The NSPCC's guidance for parents and carers - What can I do? Protecting your child from sexual abuse  is available to download from their website here.

100's Of Children With "No State" In The UK

The BBC has found that hundreds of children living rough in London and other cities may have no nationality. 

Inside Out London has uncovered stories of children who according to official records do not exist - some forced into sex work to eat.

Further research by the BBC suggests it is a UK-wide problem. Charities warn of stateless children in Birmingham, Leeds, Coventry, Nottingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Oxford and Cardiff.

"The problems caused by statelessness are by no means limited to London," Chris Nash, of charity Asylum Aid, said. Though, he acknowledges it is in the capital that the problem is most acute.

Many of London's stateless youths came to the UK legally, but were never officially registered. They cannot access education or apply for social housing. According to two respected youth charities contacted by the BBC, there are "hundreds" of them in the city.

Both Coram Children's Legal Centre and Peckham Project Safe 'n' Sound are calling for increased awareness of the problem.

Safe 'n' Sound's Jennifer Blake said: "To date, we've been approached by over 600 young people. It is a big issue."

Inside Out London is on BBC 1 tonight, (Monday 5th October) at 7.30 pm and on BBC iPlayer for a week afterwards. 

You can read more on this story on the BBC News website here.

Dissertation Tips!

I've also set up a Pinterest board with links to videos on different aspects of researching and writing dissertations which you can view here.

And another one on general study skills: Study skills

There's also a board on: Using the Library - which covers all the general things such as reservations, webprint, using the document supply service etc.

And another one on: Referencing.

More useful books on writing dissertations

I set up links to some more useful books on researching and writing dissertations (many of them electronic). Check them out on my Pinterest board here.