Author Archives: CPTUKAdmin

The Ministry of Justice has published a consultation paper setting out proposals to reform youth custody

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The Ministry of Justice has published a consultation paper setting out proposals to reform youth custody. Plans include: establishing ‘Secure Colleges’ which will equip young offenders with the skills, qualifications and attitudes to avoid re-offending when they leave custody; developing partnerships with health providers who can improve the thinking and emotional well-being of young offenders. The deadline for responses is 30 April 2013.
Source: Ministry of Justice press release

London Councils have published a study examining the factors influencing the reduction of looked after children in London

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London Councils have published a study examining the factors influencing the reduction of looked after children in London. Department for Education figures indicate that numbers of looked after children in London have been decreasing since 2007, in contrast to a steadily rising trend across the rest of England. Findings include a consideration of local authority management’s successful strategies for handling numbers of looked after children. For example, having clear alternatives to care at the point of entry and exit; and involving senior management in care entry and exit decision making.
Source: London Councils 12 February 2013
Further information:
Looked after children in London: an analysis of changes in the numbers of looked after children in London (PDF version)

In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has published a statistical bulletin on children adopted from care during the year ending March 31, 2012.

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In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has published a statistical bulletin on children adopted from care during the year ending March 31, 2012. Findings include: 60 children were adopted from care during 2011-12, 10 more than the previous year; from the last entry in to care, the average length of time for a child to be adopted in 2011/12 was 3 years 5 months, the same as in 2009/10.
Source: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Further information:
Children adopted from care in Northern Ireland 2011/12

Cafcass is consulting on a draft Equality and Diversity (E&D) Strategy, 2013-15.

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Cafcass is consulting on a draft Equality and Diversity (E&D) Strategy, 2013-15. Elements of the strategy include: embedding a culture of learning and development around E&D to achieve better quality and depth of E&D analysis in frontline casework. Deadline for comments is 15 March, 2013.
Source: Cafcass 13 March 2013
Further information:
Draft equality and diversity strategy 2013-15 (PDF version)

The National Children’s Bureau has published a report on tackling child poverty and promoting children’s well-being

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The National Children’s Bureau has published a report on tackling child poverty and promoting children’s well-being which draws on examples of good practice from abroad. Recommendations include: offering cash incentives for families to engage in activities promoting their child’s well-being; establishing a central child poverty board with full ministerial representation to develop a cross-government child poverty strategy.
Source: NCB website 15 February 2013
Further information:
Tackling child poverty and promoting children’s well-being: lessons from abroad (PDF versions)

Young people representing 15 youth organisations across the UK have written to the Education Secretary

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Young people representing 15 youth organisations across the UK have written to the Education Secretary, Michael Gove, calling for greater investment in youth services. Their letter follows comments made by Mr Gove during an Education Select Committee meeting suggesting that youth policy is not a priority for Central Government.
Source: Children & Young People Now

The Home Affairs Select Committe has published its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the draft Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Bill.

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The Home Affairs Select Committe has published its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the draft Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Bill. Recommendations relating to young people include: provision in the bill for the annual review of all ASB interventions imposed on under-18s to ensure restrictions do not continue once behaviour has improved; the Injunction to Prevent Nuisance and Annoyance should only be implemented after attempts to resolve issues through informal support and behaviour agreements have failed.
Source: Parliament UK 15 February 2013
Further information:
Committee report: draft Anti-Social Behaviour Bill (PDF version)

The Child Protection All Parliamentary Group has published a report of the findings and recommendations of their inquiry into family justice reforms in the Children and Families Bill.

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The Child Protection All Parliamentary Group has published a report of the findings and recommendations of their inquiry into family justice reforms in the Children and Families Bill. Recommendations include: Government should provide training and support to social workers to enable them to produce good care plans and operate effectively in court; Government should ensure judges specialising in family law are used in family courts on a permanent basis.
Source: NSPCC Inform 11 February 2013
Further information:
Making care proceedings better for children (PDF version)

Ofsted has published a good practice resource highlighting the work of the South Whitehaven Sure Start Children’s Centre in supporting children and families through bereavement and trauma

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Ofsted has published a good practice resource highlighting the work of the South Whitehaven Sure Start Children’s Centre in supporting children and families through bereavement and trauma. They started a children’s bereavement group which enables children to express their grief in a supportive environment. Alongside the groupwork they offer activities such as play therapy, art, music and massage.
Source: Ofsted Press Release 30 January 2013
Further information:
South Whitehaven Children’s Centre – good practice example (PDF version)

The Ministry of Justice has published the annual Youth Justice Statistics.

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The Ministry of Justice has published the annual Youth Justice Statistics. These show that in 2011/12, 8,419 restraint incidents were recorded in secure children’s homes, secure training centres and young offenders’ institutions. This is an increase of 17% on 2010/11 when there were 7,191 incidents. In addition, self-harm incidents rose 21% from 1,424 in 2010/11 to 1,725 in 2011/12.
Source: Ministry of Justice press release
Further information:
Youth Justice Statistics 2011/12: England and Wales (PDF)
   Children & Young People Now article