The Department for Education has published a report on Local Safeguarding Children Board chairs’ perspectives on responding to the recommendations in the Munro Review. Findings include: 86% of LSCBs are positive about developing a child centred system and moving towards a system with greater trust and responsibility at a local level; and just over four fifths of LSCBs said government should be clearer about priorities in light of current austerity measures, as well as providing ring fenced funding for children’s social care services.
The Guardian report on an investigation into sexual misconduct within the police force. Findings include: there were 56 cases involving police officers who were either found to have used their position to rape, sexually assault or harass women and young people, or faced investigation for such allegations. The report, from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), is due to be published in September 2012.
Family Action has issued a press release on the findings of a survey of support services for women and children at risk. Findings include: one in five women do not have family or friends nearby to help if they are feeling down or isolated, rising to one in three for women in the lowest income group; and three in ten women are not aware of local support services for pregnancy and after birth, rising to just under a third for the lowest income group.
Children and Young People Now report that a new assessment system, developed by the Youth Justice Board, will be put in place for young offenders. The new framework provides a broader and more needs-based assessment than the existing Asset system.
The Department for Education has announced that the law in England will be changed to encourage councils to ensure new born babies who are taken into care are fostered by people who want to adopt them in an attempt to shorten adoption waiting times.
The Department for Education has announced a consultation on whether the law should be changed to make explicit internet websites available on an “opt-in” rather than an “opt-out” basis. It is intended that this change would give parents more control over the material their children have access to online. The consultation closes on 6 September 2012.
