Government sets out timeline for decision on controversial proposals to jail social workers

Government sets out timeline for decision on controversial proposals to jail social workers

The government is planning to launch its consultation on extending the crime of ‘wilful neglect’ to children’s social workers later this year

The government will make a decision by September 2016 on whether to go forward with proposals to jail social workers for up to five years for failing to protect children from sexual exploitation.

In its response to a report into the Rotherham sexual exploitation scandal, the government confirmed that a consultation on the controversial plan to extend the crime of wilful neglect to children’s social workers, teachers and councillors will be held this year and a final decision will be made by September 2016 at the latest. Wilful neglect is a crime that carries a maximum jail sentence of five years.

Failure to take action

“The consultation will seek views on sanctions for failure to take action on child abuse or neglect where it is a professional responsibility to do so,” the government said.

“‘Wilful neglect’ would impose criminal sanctions for those who are found guilty of deliberate, wilful or reckless neglect or mistreatment of children. It would cover inaction, concealment and/or deliberate cover ups and would ensure that those responsible for the very worst failures in care can be held accountable,” the response said.

The proposals received fierce criticism from the social work sector when they were announced in March, with an online petition opposing the announcement generating more than 11,000 supporters.

Source: Community Care

2015-16: Between April and July Cafcass received 4,092 care applications

2015-16: Between April and July Cafcass received 4,092 care application. This figure is 14.3% (512 applications) higher than the same period last year and 12.7% (460 applications) higher when compared to the same period in 2013. The figure for July 2015 (1,111 applications) is the highest number of applications received by Cafcass in any individual month.

Source: Cafcass

https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/news/2015/august/july-2015-care-demand-statistics.aspx

Care applications hit an all-time high for the second month in a row in July

Care applications hit an all-time high for the second month in a row in July.

Figures released today by Cafcass show that it received 1,111 new care applications in July, the highest monthly figure ever recorded. This tops the previous record of 1,104 applications that were made in June this year.

The figure is also 9% higher than 1,021 care applications made in July 2014. The latest rise has contributed to a 14.3% increase in care applications made between April and July 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Source: CYPNow

Young People and e-safety Report – 2,500-strong community of London schools

a new report ‘Young People and e-safety’ prepared by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) and commissioned by the London Grid for Learning (LGfL) a not-for-profit 2,500-strong community of London schools.

 

One third of young people have made friends online with people they did not know before and over half of these have met up in person. Online gaming seems to be the main route for bonding with strangers, as games consoles were frequently cited as the device used. These are just some of the alarming statistics revealed in a new report ‘Young People and e-safety’ prepared by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) and commissioned by the London Grid for Learning (LGfL) a not-for-profit 2,500-strong community of London schools.

 

Key findings from the report, which surveyed 16,855 London school children aged 7-16, include:

 

How do young people access the Internet?

  •  Nine out of 10 access the Internet outside of school.
  • 41% of seven-year-olds, 71% of 10- year-olds and 80% of 15- year-olds own their own Internet device.
  • 71% of 15-year-olds use their device in private, compared to 40% of seven-year- olds.
  • One in four admit that their parents do not know what they do online.

 

Online safety

  • Of those young people using social network sites, just over a third have made friends with people online that they did not know before and nearly half of these have gone on to meet this person in real life.
  • 41% went alone.
  • 40% of boys have made friends with strangers online compared to 32% of girls. Games consoles were frequently cited as the device used, indicating that young people are mainly bonding with strangers through online gaming.

 

Bullying

  • One in five report that they have been bullied online.
  • One in 10 admit to bullying others online.

 

Access to inappropriate content

  • 10% play games which are deemed inappropriate for their age.
  • 16% reported that they had found or been sent online content which made them feel uncomfortable.

 

However there is cause to remain optimistic – many of the survey’s statistics indicate young people are behaving responsibly online. For example, the majority of young people recognise that some websites are more trustworthy than others and know that they should not believe everything they see online. Of those who have been bullied online, 60% told someone about it, stopping the bullying in 77% of cases.

 

Brian Durrant, Chief Executive at LGfL, said: “This is a substantial survey which tells us a great deal about developments in children’s online behaviour and the risks and issues that need to be addressed. However we are encouraged by many of the findings and we hope that the guidance we provide will help schools ensure all pupils are equipped with the knowledge to use the Internet safely, as it is ultimately a wonderful thing.”

 

To address the areas of concern, LGfL’s expert esafety team has provided recommendations detailing how schools can support young people – and their families – in increasing their online safety. Questions such as “How do you help young people understand what images are appropriate to share?” and “Do you know which of your pupils have limited access to technology at home?” invites schools to consider if any changes need to be made to their esafety policies. LGfL also offers esafety resources and software for LGfL connected schools alongside broadband, associated ICT services and BETT award-winning curriculum content.

 

The report can be read at www.pupilsurvey.lgfl.net.

 

Source: Posted by Rebecca Paddick  E-safety
LGfL, online, stranger danger, esafety, National Foundation for Educational Research, London Grid for Learning, schools