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DfE announces initiative to see more looked-after children placed in boarding schools

Councils to share £4.5m to support children of alcoholic dependent parents

The government has announced that nine councils will share a fund of £4.5m to support children of alcoholic dependent parents.

Government tells senior leaders in councils and schools to prioritise educational support for children in need

The Department for Education has released interim findings from it’s review into Improving the educational outcomes of Children in Need of help and protection.

Government announces plans to extend successful children’s social care initiatives to more councils.

Children’s minister, Nadhim Zahawi, has announced plans to extend Department for Education innovation projects to more Councils over the next 12 months.

NEW course approved by OFQUAL: Level 5 Leadership and Management Certificate Working with Children, Individuals and Families

We are thrilled that OFQUAL have approved our new
22 credit Level 5 Leadership and Management Certificate Working with Children, Individuals and Families qualification.

Interface awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certification

We are delighted to have been awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certification in recognition of the quality standards we are working to.

Government announces over £17m to help prevent young people being drawn into crime

The Home Office has announced that £17.7m will be allocated across 29 projects working to divert children and young people away from violent crime in England and Wales.

Report claims more needs to be done to tackle child criminal exploitation

A new report suggests local agencies still don't fully understand the scale of and risks posed by "county lines" drug running and other forms of child criminal exploitation,

New research shows 1 in 10 home schooled children are known to Social Services

A survey by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services indicates a significant percentage of children schooled at home are known to children’s social services.

Economic research suggests potential benefits of private tuition for children in care.

New research suggests the provision of extra support for children in care on a payment-by-results basis, could help address a gap in attainment with their peers and produce financial benefits.

Research shows the provision of early help services is under ‘serious threat’

The ACDCS has released its annual Safeguarding Pressures Services research suggesting that services supporting families at an early stage in order to prevent child safeguarding issues are "under serious threat"

Inquiry into Children’s Services funding launched

The Housing, Communities and Local Government select committee has launched an inquiry to understand whether current levels of funding for local authorities is sufficient to allow them to adequately deliver children’s services.

Care proceedings in England: The case for clear blue water

A report has been written by Isabelle Trowler stating that families subject to 'thin, red line decisions' should be diverted away from Court.

Research study find early years sector is being ’systematically underfunded’

Research undertaken by Ceeda suggests more than two in every five of child care providers are receiving less funding, in real-terms, than they were five years ago.

Chancellor pledges additional £84m for children’s social care

20 local authorities struggling with high or rising numbers of children in care will benefit from an additional £84m funding as announced in the budget.

Young people identify the growth in knife crime as their top concern.

A survey of over 1 million young people organised by the British Youth Council suggests that the growth in knife crime is their "top concern".

Research indicates public health underfunded by £3.2bn per year

A study by the Health Foundation indicates an additional £3.2bn a year is required to reverse the impact of government cuts to the public health grant.

Labour announces intention to boost health visitor numbers.

Labour has announced that it will seek to recruit additional health visitors if it wins the next general election.

MP calls for reform of the criminal records system for childhood offences.

Theresa Villiers MP has called for full review of the criminal records system arguing that it is preventing children from moving on from their mistakes.

Government publishes its response to critical Education Select Committee report on Alternative Provision in schools.

The government has released its response to a report published by the Education Select Committee in July which highlighted that too many children are being excluded and effectively abandoned in specialist education provision.

Government announces new £5m fund to tackle youth violence

The government has announced that a £5m fund will be made available to support local authority activities aimed at preventing serious youth violence.

Children in care to receive better mental health checks when they enter the care system.

From June 2019 looked after children will receive improved mental health checks as they enter the care system as part of a delayed pilot project.

Children’s Commissioners report highlights the number of babies living in households carrying very high risks

The Children’s Commissioner for England, has published a report indicating that there are 15,800 babies under the age of 1 considered by local authorities to be vulnerable or highly vulnerable and at risk of harm, but still living at home.

Study shows positive benefits from the Youth Mental Health First Aid in Schools Programme.

A recently published evaluation of the first year of the Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in Schools Programme indicates that the initiative is having positive benefit in helping to tackle youth mental health issues.

Early Intervention Foundation highlights how local authorities approach evaluation, and how they can start to tackle the challenges that arise.

The EIF has released two case studies which provide a useful insight into the issues local authorities face in evaluating early intervention services, with specific ideas on how to address some of the challenges which arise.

Home Secretary announces new £200 million endowment fund, to target young people at risk of starting a life of crime and violence

Sajid Javid has announced that projects supporting vulnerable children will be given the chance to access a new £200m fund as part of efforts to combat youth violence.

Childhood obesity to be tackled by new trailblaze projects

The Department of Health has announced it will fund five councils to support the development of new ways to tackle child obesity.

New unit launched to tackle ‘county lines’ crime

The Home Office has provided £3.6m funding to support the launch of the new National County Lines Coordination Centre as part of the serious violence strategy launched in April.

Over a quarter of CAMHS funding fails to reach frontline services

The government has published figures which indicate that only £688m (72%) of the £953m allocated since 2015 for CAMHS transformation has gone to local clinical commissioning groups.

Operation Encompass Scheme goes national.

A unique scheme between the Police and Education which provides early help to children exposed to domestic abuse is being rolled out across England & Wales.

The Institute of Health Visiting calls for health visitors to be given the lead role in supporting families with mental health issues

The Institute of Health Visiting (IHV) suggests a move to give health visitors the lead role in supporting families with mental health issues would help recognise mental health problems at a much earlier stage.

Mayor of London announces new approach to tackle serious violence

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has unveiled plans for a violence reduction unit which will be set up with £500,000 from City Hall and will expand on work under the mayor’s knife crime strategy.

Study reveals the benefits of good quality early years provision.

The University of Oxford has published research undertaken on behalf of the Department of Education on Early Education Use and Child Outcomes up to the age of four.

DfE myth busting guide

The DfE have published a short guide that they believe will clarify relevant parts of statutory guidance on children’s social care obligations.

Children’s minister announces national unit to tackle child exploitation

Children’s Minister Nadhim Zahawi has announced a new national unit will be established to help improve support for vulnerable children and young people at risk of exploitation.

Home Secretary announces new measures to keep children safe

The Home Secretary, Sajid Javed, has delivered a speech announcing new measures to keep children safe which, he describes, as his key mission during his period of tenure.

New research suggests educational outcomes are little improved as a result of the introduction of the 2-year-old entitlement to funded childcare.

Research indicates there is little evidence to suggest the introduction of the 2-year-old entitlement to government funded childcare has improved early years educational outcomes of poorer children

Independent Review of Sport in Youth and Adult Prisons calls for institutions to devise and implement an integrated physical activity and wellbeing strategy.

Professor Rosie Meek of Royal Holloway, University of London has published her A Sporting Chance review setting out 12 recommendations for the use and management of sporting activity in prisons, YOI’s and Children’s homes.

Government announces plans to end rough sleeping for good by 2027

James Brokenshire, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced the governments intention to halve the number of people sleeping rough in this Parliament and to end it for good by 2027.

Government consultation on the future of children's centres shelved

The Department for Education has confirmed that its long-awaited consultation on the future of children’s centres has been shelved indefinitely

New strategy launched setting out how the government will work with and support civil society in the years to come.

The government has launched its long-awaited Civil Society Strategy setting out how it intends to work with individuals and organisations acting with the primary purpose of creating social value.

Home Office makes £22m available to help prevent and tackle serious violence.

The Home Office has doubled the amount of money available to Police and Crime Commissioners in an attempt to encourage young people away from violent crime.

Changes to the way in which Youth offending teams (YOTs) are assessed announced

At the end of August YOT grading will fall into line with the grading system used by schools and children's services with inspection reports graded "outstanding", "good", "requires improvement" or "inadequate"

New research confirms most cases of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy occur in families well known to support services

A new study by the University of Warwick has investigated 30 Serious Case Reviews linked to Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) to develop a detailed understanding of the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The What Works Centre for Social Care launches new initiative to improve the quality of children's services in England

What Works Centre for Social Care initiative is teaming up with 21 pioneer councils to test new approaches and identify some "fast wins" to improve the quality of children's services in England.

Government confirms its intention to introduce a new mental health workforce in schools

The DHSC has announced plans to introduce thousands of new mental health workers who will work in or near schools and colleges.

Matt Hancock, the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has spoken about his priorities for the health and social care system

Speaking to the Health and Social Care Committee Hancock outlined his plans on a wide range of issues affecting health and social care.

Social Care Institute for Excellence publishes new guide on therapeutic interventions after abuse and neglect

The SCIE has published a new quick guide on therapeutic interventions after abuse and neglect for practitioners and managers supporting children, young people and families

Approved! Our Level 4 Certificate Working with Children, Individuals & Families named as mandatory qualification.

Our Level 4 Certificate Working with Children, Individuals & Families named as mandatory qualification.

Sexually abused boys often go unrecognised by specialist support professionals

Barnardo’s have released research which indicates that professionals may have difficulty in identifying and engaging boys and young men in terms of their history of abuse and trauma, often failing to recognise them as victims.

ADCS challenges the effectiveness of School Attendance Orders and appeals for methods to ensure children return to school

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has issued a response to the DfE’s call for evidence on elective home education.

Councils given until September 2019 to replace LSCB’s

The government has announced that Councils have until September 2019 to replace outgoing Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB’s) with new arrangements.

Children’s Commissioner’s latest report indicates one in six children are living in families with risks so serious that they need some level of help

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, has published a new report that brings together a range of information held by various government departments, agencies and others to reveal the scale of child vulnerability in England.

Report from the Children’s Commissioner highlights that thousands of children in care are still experiencing unstable and inconsistent support.

Anne Longfield, the Children’s Commissioner for England, has published her second Stability Index, an annual report which tracks the experiences of children in care.

Fit and Healthy Childhood APPG reports on Governments child mental health proposals

The All Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood has published a report on Mental Health in Childhood intended to support the Government in making its eagerly awaited child mental health legislation.

Government launches a 4 week consultation period to gather evidence on the right approach for future Loneliness Strategies.

The government has opened a consultation period asking for organisations with expertise and experience in tackling loneliness to provide views on the Strategy framework that is now being developed.

Report released by the Early Intervention Foundation looks at evidence supporting the Healthy Child Programme.

New report outlines 15 recommendations to improve youth mental health within the education and health sectors.

Major Review confirms crisis in Children’s Social Care and Family Justice Sector and outlines 20 options for change

Public spending on children in England: 2000 to 2020 is stable but there are some worrying trends

Placing vulnerable children into boarding schools is found to reduce the number of children in care

Secure Schools guidance

Adoption support Fund reduction

Concerns over nursery funding in Scotland

Mental Health Pilots to commence later this year

Mental Health Pilots to commence later this year.

Government will keep the Prevent programme

Social Work England to have power to limit duties

OFSTED to stop schools using ‘off role’

Ofsted inspector Sue Morris-King spoke to the education select committee and said that OFSTED are ramping up scrutiny of off-rolling. She said that they will strongly challenge any school pressuring parents to take children off roll during inspection and have recently trained inspectors on the issue.

Blackpool better Start to increase Health visitor role

Children and parents will be seen by health visitors at least eight times before their fourth birthday as part of an early intervention initiative designed to improve outcomes for children.

Substantial improvement in Tower Hamlets responding to knife crime

EIF Good Practice Submissions are open now

EIF Good Practice Submissions are open now.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has published its Interim Report on 25 April.

One in three councils are still to decide how they will replace local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs) with new arrangements for multi-agency working

Representation of children in public law proceedings

A study has concluded that children should continue to be represented by both a publicly-funded legal representative and a Cafcass guardian, known as the ‘tandem model’ of representation.

Innovation fund open to help children of dependent drinkers

The Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions have joined to provide funding for councils to establish initiatives to support children of alcoholics and dependent drinkers. They have set aside £4.5m.

Not making ends meet

See a report about the crisis support schemes run by local authorities. It states that they are failing to operate effectively leaving
more people having to turn to foodbanks and other charities for help.

NAHT Analysis of High Needs Funding

Funding that the government pays to LA's is not sufficient to support vulnerable pupils

Reducing Parental Conflict Programme

A £39m programme aimed at reducing conflict between parents in disadvantaged families is to be trialled in 30 council areas. This is to build on existing activity, committed expert organisations and the latest evidence to maximise the impact of investment.

Vulnerable children and social care in England

Read the review of the state of children's social care.

More than a number: Scale of youth homelessness revealed

Centrepoint launches data on youth homelessness in the UK

Youth Crime pilot expanded

A pilot programme that works with young offenders is to be expanded.

Members of the Serious Violence Taskforce announced

The Home Secretary has announced that a coalition of government ministers, cross-party MPs, police leaders, local government and the voluntary sector will make up the Serious Violence Taskforce – which will ensure sustained, swift and decisive action against violent crime.

DfE announces review of home-schooling regulations

ADCS highlighted that more regulation is needed around children who are home schooled.

Troubled Families payments – trial for up-front payments

A new funding system, called "earned autonomy" will be piloted with 11 local authorities from next month to pay for support provided through the government's Troubled Families programme.

Concern over SEND cuts

SEND cuts putting children at risk of exclusion

ADCS support flexibility around dropping independent reviewing officers

The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) has backed a stocktake and recommendations by supporting the idea that Councils should be given the choice whether to continue providing independent reviewing officers for children in care

Serious Violence Strategy

The government has set out their response to serious violence and recent increases in knife crime, gun crime and homicide.

Serious Crime Taskforce to be created

A new Serious Violence Taskforce to bring together key sectors.

Youth offending teams to trial programme to address trauma

Government to fund a trial in working with young offenders to address reasons for their behaviour.

Ofsted praises MASH teams

Praise for Children's Services in Waltham Forest MASH team.

A new focus for Government to improve outcomes for children with additional needs

A £4m fund has been established to review, understand and develop ways to help children with additional needs.

Primary staff need more help to steer children away from gangs

Frustrated primary staff felt they were doing everything they could to support young people at risk of getting involved with gangs.

Exclusion rates concerns the Education Secretary

Damien Hinds, Education Secretary expresses his concern of the high levels of children being excluded and could see the benefit of schools with low exclusion rate to share information.

A report shows children in north falling behind

Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner identifies the extent of how much children from the north are falling behind compared to their peers in London.

'Staff exodus' threatens high-quality childcare

Large number of qualified staff leaving nurseries due to low pay, endangering the government’s push to increase the provision of high-quality childcare.

Spending cuts to blame for children’s mental health

Government’s failure to acknowledge that many problems to improve mental health are the result of public spending cuts.

Recent study suggests adopted children should stay close to birth families

Following the findings of a recent academic study BASW (British Association of Social Workers) it found that adoption laws should be overhauled to ensure children can retain close to their birth families.

Our Lives Our Care

Looked after children’s views on their well-being

Barnet set up own looked after children charity

Barnet has become the first local authority in London to launch its own charity to help looked after children fulfil their dreams and aspirations.

Ofsted announces crackdown on school exclusion 'hot spots'

Ofsted to raise concerns with eight areas about the high number of pupils being removed from schools.

MD, Wendy Weal becomes a Leadership Fellow

Exciting news. Our Managing Director has become a Leadership Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows, St George’s House, Windsor Castle, Windsor.

Foster Care in England

A Review for the Department for Education by Sir Martin Nareyand Mark Owers

Careers strategy 'will fail' disadvantaged pupils

The Career Development Institute says measures in careers strategy will fail to live up to its aim to improve careers advice.

LGA call for mental health counselling for all pupils

Every secondary school in the country should be able to offer independent mental health counselling to all pupils

Poor areas worst affected by children's services cuts

Council areas with the highest levels of deprivation are bearing the brunt of children's services funding cuts, research has found.

Half of infant young carers under ten are suffering broken sleep to care for family members

A snapshot survey released by Carers Trust today, reveals a high proportion of infant young carers are regularly suffering from broken sleep in order to look after unwell family members

Social impact bond initiative launches to reduce number of children in care

Five London boroughs have joined forces to launch a therapeutic care programme funded with a £4.5m social impact bond, in a bid to keeping more than 350 vulnerable young people out of care.

Multisystemic therapy 'no more effective' than conventional support, study finds

An intensive family therapy programme, used nationwide to turn around the lives of teenagers involved in antisocial behaviour and on the edge of care, is no more effective than conventional methods, researchers have concluded.

Fragmented approach to child health damaging long term health of nation warns Royal College

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health state that child health is suffering at the hands of a disjointed approach from central Government.

Youth Index 2018 Annual Report

The Princes Trust found that almost half of young people fear that there will be fewer job opportunities in the next three years.

The cost of Free School meals

A recent study by The Education Policy Institute.

Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board recommend changes to the way domestic abuse is dealt with

Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board SERIOUS CASE REVIEW on Child G wants to see agencies involved in the case look closely at how domestic abuse services can be improved as well as how those working with families can better understand how faith can impact on parenting.

Mayor unveils plans for London’s first Early Years Hubs

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, unveiled new plans to help tackle inequality in education and help ensure children from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve their full potential.

Treasury to examine the impact of 30 hours free childcare extension

The committee will consider, scrutinise and explore areas of the free childcare entitlement for working families.

Improving social mobility through education - £50m investment

Investment of £50m in early years provision.

Labour urges action on youth knife crime

Labour has called on the government to deploy youth workers in hospitals to counter the growing number of young people dying from knife crime.

Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: a green paper

The government is asking people for their views on a green paper setting out measures to improve mental health support for children and young people.

Social mobility board members all leave

All of the members resigned in protest stating that they felt that there was a lack of support from government.

Social work accreditation introduction slowed down to five initial areas

The new accreditation system for children’s social workers is now being tested in a small number of areas.

Ofsted criticises treatment of SEND pupils across mainstream schools

The inspectorate's 2017 annual report states that in some cases informal exclusions are taking place, with parents being asked by head teachers to keep children at home as schools are unable to effectively support them.

National evaluation of the Troubled Families Programme 2015 to 2020: emerging findings

The Troubled Families Programme (2015 – 2020) is working to achieve significant and sustained progress with up to 400,000 families with multiple, high-cost problems by 2020. This is backed by over £900m of central government investment.

Cheshire West and Chester deliver good multi agency response – OFSTED

The Joint targeted area inspection of the multi-agency response to abuse and neglect in Cheshire West and Chester found good evidence of multi agency work to support children in the area.

LA Multi-academy trusts: Government Response

The education committee called to end ban on local authorities creating multi-academy trusts.

£45m boost for young people with SEND

A multi-million pound package has been announced to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Prevention of offending and YOT funding

A survey by the Ministry of Justice and Youth Justice Board to gain best practice across the system.

Changes to Universal Credit

Following the Budget 2017 there was an announcement of changes that will make a huge difference to the thousands on Universal Credit.

Alter league tables to reduce informal exclusions' says expert

An education expert has told MPs that changing the way school league tables are compiled could help reduce the number of pupils excluded because they are struggling academically.

Inspectors concerned about staff shortages in Youth prisons

HM Inspectorate of Prisons analysis of experiences in youth prisons.

Children’s Commissioner calls for action to tackle informal exclusions

The children's commissioner for England has pledged to push for action to address rising numbers of vulnerable children being informally excluded by schools.

Innovation projects 'struggle to address social worker recruitment problems'

Testing new ways of working in children's care.

Sunderland's children's services praised

As a result of the inspection judgement of inadequate in June 2015, Sunderland Council set up TfC to deliver children’s services functions on behalf of the council, including early help, social care and education services for children.

Parents’ alcohol abuse damaging the lives of 700,000 teenagers

Parents’ alcohol abuse is damaging the lives of an estimated 700,000 teenagers across the UK, according to new research from The Children’s Society.

Improving mental health support for our children and young people

Expert Working Group (working with Social Care Institute for Excellence - SCIE) final report.

Good intentions, good enough?

There are over 6,000 children who spend much of their childhood in residential special schools and colleges. A review of the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in residential special schools and colleges has now taken place.

EIF published guide to support parenting

The EIF (Early Intervention Foundation) has published a guide which summarises evidence to support families with complex needs in priority areas such as parenting.

The Future of Family Services - report

Off the Radar Report

Consultation on Local safeguarding Transitional arrangements

New ADCS President

ADCS announces president for 2019 as Rachel Dickinson

Figures rocket of child-on-child assaults

Police figures reveal almost 30,000 cases which included 2,625 alleged offences on school premises in the last four years.

Reducing the impact of Interparental conflict on children – EIF Commissioner’s Guide

This Guide is a practical planning tool to support local commissioners and leaders of services for children and families to reduce the impact of conflict between parents on children.

National mental and physical health initiative launched in schools

The Active in Mind project launches this month to improve children’s mental health and will be evaluated, and its successes shared, by academics at Leeds Beckett University.

Fostering system - funding and recruitment shortfall

The Department for Education-commissioned a report into the fostering system.

Victims and witnesses will have their experience of going to court made easier through a number of new waiting rooms

Investment in victim and witness waiting room in courts.

Payment Survey - the views of foster carers in England

Three-quarters of looked after children in the UK are being cared for by foster families. A recent survey was conducted by The Fostering Network.

Landmark review places family ties at the heart of prison reform

Ministry of Justice welcomes Lord Farmer's recommendations to strengthen family ties to help offenders turn their lives around and protect public safety.

Fostering system - funding and recruitment shortfall

DfE commissions report into the fostering system

A Country that Works for all Children

A position paper prepared by ADCS (The Association of Directors of Children’s Services Ltd) explores the impact of different initiatives and policies on children’s lives and outcomes.

Analysis reveals children’s mental health treatment ‘shockingly poor’

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield sets out the shockingly poor support children with mental health services are receiving from the NHS.

Language as a child wellbeing indicator

Early language acquisition impacts on all aspects of young children’s non-physical development

Treatment/outcomes of BAME individuals

A review into the treatment of, and outcomes for, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in the Criminal Justice System.

Social mobility and opportunity areas

The DfE seeking to boost children and young people's life chances in 12 English districts that score poorly on social mobility.

Making The Difference: Breaking the link between school exclusion and social exclusion

A report called 'Making the Difference' addresses why teachers should be provided with skills to support pupils who are at risk of being excluded.

Ethnicity facts and figures

For the first time there is a website created which brings together both new and already published official data on racial disparity in one place for the first time.

Youth prisons drive for recruitment

A prison officer graduate recruitment scheme is targeting social workers and teachers looking for a change of career.

£20m drive to create alliances and improve children's services

The Department for Education has set aside up to £20m to encourage councils to support each other to improve children's services standards.

No signs of slowing up for Early Intervention Programme

The Pause Project is due to expand further after a funding boost from the lottery funding.

Government Statistics show further cuts on Early Years & Youth Services

A further fall in spending by £112m in a year on early years services.

Ofsted joint inspections of the response to children living with domestic abuse

A report has been issues by OFSTED which is about the second joint targeted area inspection programme, which began in September 2016 and which examined ‘the multi-agency response to children living with domestic abuse’.

Priority for Social Justice & Productivity

A leading committee group of MP’s who explore and challenge government’s policy on children and young people will be focusing on matters surrounding social justice and productivity.

Government expects to introduce baseline test for reception age

It is expected that all four and five year olds will sit baseline tests on entering reception.

Proposal to ensure early years teachers head up nurseries in deprived areas

An alliance of early years leaders, academics and charities is recommending to the government to ensure a qualified early years teacher leads all nurseries in deprived areas within the next three years.

Youth Centre gets the green light

Croydon Council and charity OnSide Youth Zones have been granted planning permission to build a £6m youth centre, due to be completed in 2018.

The DfE appoints two LA’s to failing Children Services to aid improvement

A decision was made by Justine Greening, Education Secretary, following an Ofsted report found that Tower Hamlets Council was failing to perform.

Top priority on the issues of social justice and productivity for the education select committee

An influential group of MPs that probes government policy on children and young people will focus on the issues of social justice and productivity over the term of the current parliament, it has been announced.

A shocking picture of care leavers missing out on suitable mental health support

Research by the leading UK’s children’s charity Barnardos suggests that nearly half of England’s care leavers may be suffering with mental health problems.

MANIFESTO TO STRENGTHEN FAMILIES Policies for a Conservative Government to strengthen families

MPs and Peers have worked together to support the Government in delivering policies aimed at strengthening families, as part of its wider ambition for social reform.

Improvement Through Inspection?

A personal critique of Ofsted methodology and the implementation of the Single Inspection Framework for Local Authority Children’s Services in Stockport.

Early help review- Buckinghamshire

Buckinghamshire County Council to set up a new 0-19 children and families service.

Making young minds matter: Reshaping support services for young people

A new report suggests the reshaping of services is needed.

Analysis of repeat child protection referrals

A research report by the University of Manchester looks the services offered by local authorities and the reasons why some children are referred multiple times.

Early Intervention - Losing in the long run

Losing in the Long Run report, produced by Action for Children, calls for renewed commitment from the Government.

Children’s Services Omnibus

The DfE have published a report of the findings from the first wave of the new Children’s Services Omnibus Survey.

Children's services overspend tops £600m

Councils are overspending on their children's social care budgets by more than £600m a year as they look to protect vulnerable groups amid cuts in central government funding, council leaders are warning.

£20m to tackle online grooming

Home Secretary Amber Rudd has announced more than £20m in funding over three years to help combat the online grooming of children.

Council-led safeguarding hub helps smash child sex abuse ring

A multi-agency hub bringing together social workers, police and health professionals has helped convict 18 members of a child sex abuse ring.

DfE innovation findings on Family Safeguarding - Hertfordshire

The DfE provided funding for innovation in Hertfordshire for the setting up of Family Safeguarding teams.

2,000 additional CAMHS staff to be recruited

The NHS has announced plans to recruit and train an additional 2,000 nurses, therapists and qualified clinicians to work in CAMHS.

Street play initiatives in disadvantaged areas: experiences and emerging issues

A report published by Play England explores how local, resident-led street play initiatives and programmes are being taken forward in disadvantaged areas of England, in response to concerns about the decline in children’s opportunities for outdoor play.

Allegations of domestic abuse in child contact cases Joint research by Cafcass and Women’s Aid

A recent report has set out the findings of a small-scale study undertaken by Cafcass, with Women’s Aid, looking at domestic abuse allegations in 216 child contact cases.

Closing the gap

A new report into trends in educational advantage has been published.

Signs of Safety Evaluation

Signs of Safety approach to child protection found improved social work practice.

Safe Families evaluation

A DfE funded social care initiative has been evaluated by Dartington Social Research Unit and found to have "the potential to support many vulnerable families at low cost including a significant proportion of those children that were on the edge of the care system".

IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM

EIF has published a summary report of key findings and interventions to be effective in improving outcomes for vulnerable children.

Concerns over the growth of academy status on school-based childcare

Growth of academies could seriously impact of the policy introduced by the Government in 2010.

Doubling the early years pupil premium to improve life chances

The ‘’Time for Change report by the Social Mobility Commission calls for a substantial investment in early years education for disadvantaged children.

Report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a fit and healthy childhood

A report on maternal obesity by the All Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) on Fit and Healthy Childhood needs to be revised.

Charities appeal for action

More needs to be done to identify young people with substance abuse issues and address the underlying issues, two charities have said.

Teachers fear Prevent strategy 'stigmatises Muslim students'

School and college staff in England have concerns that the government anti-radicalisation strategy is increasing stigmatisation of Muslim students, research has found.

Children’s Commissioner’s Report on Vulnerability

New analysis from the Children’s Commissioner reveals a host of shocking statistics.

Calls for effective participation practice

A recent strategy aiming to give children and young people a chance to have a voice and with the help of the Youth Justice Board as well as the Beyond Youth Custody programme it will consider the implications for work with young people leaving custody.

Record increase in children receiving specialist SEN support

There has been a record increase in the number of children receiving additional support for special educational needs (SEN), with the figure rising by more than 30,000 in a single year.

Scottish review into children's care system

A "root and branch" review that will look into legislation, practices, culture and ethos of the children's care system in Scotland has launched.

Interparental relationships, conflict and the impacts of poverty

This overview summarises outputs from the Early Intervention Foundation (EIF) about why action to tackle inter-parental conflict matters for children and families who are in or at risk of poverty.

EIF - refreshed Guidebook

The EIF Guidebook provides information about early intervention programmes that have been evaluated and shown to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Unprotected – a report on attitudes to CSE

Family Education Trust reports on findings of serious case reviews and independent inquiry looking at reasons why abuse of young people was not picked up by professionals.

ADCS response to the NICE guideline on child abuse and neglect

The Association of Directors of Children’s Services Ltd (ADCS) welcomes the opportunity respond to the draft of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) child abuse and neglect guideline.

School Budget findings – the Sutton trust

The Sutton Trust surveyed 1,361 teachers in its annual teacher polling through the National Foundation for Educational Research Teacher Voice Omnibus survey, highlighting how budget cuts are affecting schools across the country.

Adoption Leadership Board data

Fall in the number of placement orders granted by courts in England.

Public Health England to monitor councils on Health Visitor Checks

The government body responsible for public health, Public Health England (PHE) has said that it will ensure that local authorities fulfil their duty to provide health visitor checks for young children.

Children in care moving too much

Concerns at the high number of looked-after children are being moved about.

National evaluation of the Troubled Families Programme 2015 - 2020: family outcomes - family survey: part 1

A newly released report contains findings from the baseline survey of families.

£30m to improve children's life chances

The government has announced that £30m will be spent to increase the life chances of children in disadvantaged families by resolving conflict among parents.

Fast-track social work scheme opens for applications

Government aims to train more than 3,000 new social workers through fast-track schemes.

Government misses important opportunities to tackle childhood obesity

Government criticised by Members of the Health Select Committee.

How does child poverty affect behaviour and school achievement?

An anaysis by EIF (Early Invention Foundation) shows children from less well-off families are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems at age 5 and do less well academically at age 10-16.

Internal inclusion units for schools

Tom Bennett (appointed in 2015 to advise the government on behaviour in schools) has call on the government to fund schools to create internal inclusion units to offer targeted early specialist intervention for children with behavioural problems.

ADCS response on Social work accreditation

ADCS welcomes government efforts to improve the quality and confidence of the children and family social work workforce.

Leed’s Council granted £9.6m to establish children's services 'centre of excellence'

Leeds Council has been awarded £9.6m from the Department for Education's innovation fund.

Compulsory SRE in schools from 2019

Sex and relationships education (SRE) will be made compulsory in all secondary schools. However, parents will continue to have a right to withdraw their children from sex education.

£40m for projects to tackle child abuse

A £40m package of measures to help tackle sexual abuse and child trafficking has been announced by the Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

DfE figures on children's social work caseloads

Average social work caseloads vary by in excess of 20 cases in different parts of England, new statistics published for the first time today show.

Prisons and Courts Bill

The prisons and courts bill will give governors control over their budgets for education, employment and health and introduce a new system of league tables and performance standards.

Professional development in speech, language and communication: findings from a national workforce survey

A new report from The Communication Trust presents the findings of consultation with the children and young people’s workforce.

Mental Health Services and Schools Link Pilots: Evaluation report

In summer 2015, NHS England and the Department for Education (DfE) jointly launched the Mental Health Services and Schools Link Pilots.

Accreditation exams for social workers

Children's social workers will be able to start taking exams to achieve accredited status from November.

MoJ has been criticised for 'weak' response to youth justice review

The Ministry of Justice has been criticised for its "weak" response to a major review of youth justice.

No choice but to send students with mental health problems to A&E

In the past year 74% of colleges in England had sent students experiencing mental health issues to A&E.

State of the Nation's Foster Care 2016 report

The Fostering Network has collated the views of foster carers through their State of the Nation survey. They found that ¾ of looked after children in the UK are cared for by foster families, meaning that improving the outcomes for children in care must start with improving foster care.

More childcare places to be created with £50m grant

Government has set up a £50m grant scheme to create 9,000 more childcare places and to help government deliver it’s free childcare pledge.

PM pledges review of children’s mental health services

Theresa May announces that a review will be carried out on the children and young people’s mental health services urging an improvement in this area to be a priority.

£80m Life Chances Fund available to Early Years Organisations

An announcement by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Cabinet Office encourages bids from Early Years organisations.

Children’s Centres Consultation to go ahead

The DfE has indicated that the Children’s Centres consultation is still going ahead, despite the life chances strategy being dropped.

Child poverty unit abolished

The cross-departmental child poverty unit to help reduce child poverty has been scrapped. The functions will now be included into the wider remit of DWP.

Ofsted and Local Government Ombudsman share childrens’s services concerns

The two organisations agreed to share information about complaints which in turn will help drive improvements in children’s services.

No ‘Life Chances’ strategy to be published

The long-awaited government strategy to boost the life chances of the poorest children in the country has been dropped and will not be published.

Innovation funding announced for 19 children's services departments

The DfE have announced who has been successful to receive £11m of innovation funding.

Time to act: charity urges Government to tackle England’s poor record on children

Increasing numbers of children have been let down in 2016.

Signs of Safety success

Praise by OFSTed for an area using Signs of Safety

ADCS Safeguarding Pressures National Research: Phase 5

ADCS Safeguarding Pressures research has provided evidence of trends in safeguarding activity and the provision of services to children and their families based on information from local authorities in five phases spanning 2007/8 to 2015/16.

Retain YOTs

The chair of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) has urged the government to ensure that councils to keep youth offending teams (YOTs) as part of any reforms to the youth justice system.

£4.30 funding rate for childcare places

The government has responded to consultation stating that every council will receive a minimum funding rate of £4.30 per hour to cover the cost of childcare places for three- and four-year-olds.

Child protection services – forced to privatise

Councils should be forced to outsource children's services including child protection work in an effort to improve standards

Children’s Minister gets support from leaders to create social work body plans

Children’s service leaders are supporting Edward Timpson’s idea of a new professional body for social work which to be supported by the government.

Home raids leaving children traumatised

An estimated 80,000 children each year witness home raids when a parent or family member is arrested but do not receive sufficient support afterwards.

Minister of Justice plan for a young offender mental health programme

A £24m programme to improve gaps in mental health treatment for young offenders.

Breakfast clubs linked to boosting pupil attainment and behaviour

A study by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) found that eating breakfast, or just attending a club, improves academic performance in maths and English of pupils aged six and seven in just two months.

Longfield urges children's centres to turn into family hubs

Children Commissioner's appeal to government to support family hubs

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to stay

Education Secretary confirms Early Years Foundation Stage profile to remain in place for the moment.

NCB creates a mental health toolkit for schools

A new online mental health toolkit aimed at staff and students in schools.

Social workers reject the government's plans for reform

9/10 social workers think planned reform do not tackle main concerns facing profession.

Time to Change – mental health research

Research shows that 49% of teenage boys in the UK would not feel comfortable talking to their dads about their mental health.

Government shelves controversial Education Bill

Justine Greening has announced that there will be no change to legislation made for the government to achieve its ambition of getting schools to convert to academy status voluntarily.

Troubled Families programme – little impact

The NIESR's analysis unable to find consistent evidence that the Troubled Family Programme had any significant or systematic impact.

Ofsted seeking more CSE focus from police and health services

Inspectors found a large variation in police responses to CSE.

Troubled Families approach needed to boost life chances

Conservative MP John Glen called for more integrated working between agencies to improve the life chances of children.

£1m social mobility trial

The government is to give £1m to trial a "new approach" to boost social mobility in six councils across England. They will be Blackpool, Derby City and Oldham, Norwich, Scarborough and West Somerset.

Education Committee to scrutinise primary school testing

Education committee launched an inquiry into how primary school reforms impacted teaching and learning.

Early years taskforce

Labour will launch an early years taskforce in a bid to transform early years provision for families.

Isabelle Trowler appeals for more social workers in early help

A plea from Chief children's social worker for England who is asking for greater involvement in supporting families in early help

The Damage of Debt

Children's Society study reports on how low well-being and poor mental health are linked to poverty and debt.

Childcare funding formula miss the mark on redistribution

The Family and Childcare Trust has completed their analysis on how funding of free early education and childcare for three and four year olds. Findings highlight that the formula does not prioritise those areas that most need to boost childcare places.

LGA seek more powers for LA’s to oversee home schooling

Leaders call for council to be given more control to crack down on illegal schools and monitor home schooling.

Theresa May states grammar school plans

Prime Minister Theresa May has announced plans to allow schools to choose pupils according to their capabilities.

DfE dramatically cuts grant funding for children’s charities

Since 2011 the Department for Education grant scheme handed out more than £200m to children's charities. This has now been cut to just £2.25m for the 18-month period up to April 2018

Innovation funding available for anti-radicalisation projects

Government will award a total of £1.5m to fund "innovative" projects which will help to prevent young people from being radicalised

Come back to social work

The DfE have announced a programme to retrain social workers who have left the profession.

Wilshaw wants councils to take responsibility for school improvement

Ofsted's Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, spoke at the London Councils education summit in central London.

Councils ask for oversight of academy finance

The Local Government Association (LGA) said money earmarked for education in England is too often "disappearing into the back pockets of those in charge" and they are asking to be given powers to monitor the way academies spend government cash to ensure pupils do not miss out on vital funding.

Innovation fund opens for anti-radicalisation projects

A total of £1.5m has been set aside by government to fund "innovative" projects that work to prevent young people from being radicalised, it has been announced.

Rise in number of children seeking mental health support

The number of children and young people in contact with mental health services is on the rise, with an increase of 6,905 in the space of two months.

Schools 'should be incentivised' to take on vulnerable children

The chair of the National Association of Virtual School Heads has said that virtual school heads are sometimes told by a head teacher that a school cannot take on a looked-after child because they are full... read more...

£60m perinatal mental health fund launches

NHS England has established a new perinatal mental health community services development fund... read more...

Islamist extremism in prisons report

In September 2015 the then Secretary of State for Justice commissioned a departmental review, supported by external expertise... read more...

A New Perspective on Poverty and Life-Chances

Understanding the links between poverty, interparental relationships, and children's social and emotional skills.

Ofsted announces domestic abuse focus for multi-agency inspections

Multi-agency inspections of how services work together to protect children within local authority areas will from next month focus on the quality of support for children living with domestic abuse, Ofsted has said.

Children’s centre overhaul

Andrew Selous, a conservative MP has asked the government to provide funding to help local authorities across England turn children's centres into “family centres”

Building emotional resilience in the children and families workforce

A report by the University of Bedfordshire outlines the need for policies to support workforce.

Health visitor chief warns against scrapping mandatory checks

The chief of the Institute of Health Visiting (IHV) has warned ministers against ditching the five checks health visitors are currently required to carry out on children up to two-and-a-half years old.

Consultation launched on reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect

This consultation outlines options for reform of the child protection system in England, specifically in relation to reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect.

Wilshaw - the quality of children's social care is "a leadership issue".

The head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw has questioned the focus of directors of children's services... read more...

Chain Effects 2015 – Sutton Trust Report

The Sutton Trust have published a report on the impact of academy chains on low-income students.

CQC report ‘Not Seen, Not Heard’

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is calling all health professionals to do more to listen to children.

ADCS Conference: Timpson announces foster care review

The government is to undertake a national “stocktake” of fostering in order to understand how the system can be improved.

Ofsted call for more powers

Ofsted Chief Inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw has asked the government for more powers to monitor councils where children’s safety is at risk.

ADCS Conference: One in five children’s social workers ‘fail’ accreditation exam

Around 20 per cent of children’s social workers taking part in a trial of a controversial accreditation system did not pass, it has emerged.

ADCS Conference: Trowler defends social work bill ‘exemption’ clause

The chief social worker for children speaks out

Foundations for life: What works to support parent child interaction in the early years

A report by 'The Early Intervention Foundation'.

Narey report published: Residential Care in England Report

Sir Martin Narey’s independent review of children’s residential has been published.

£80m payment-by-results fund to tackle social problems

Projects aimed at improving the life chances of vulnerable children and young people could gain a share of a new £80m government fund that links payments to improved outcomes.

Norfolk YOT praised

Interface are delighted with recent news of praise.

Manchester Council puts £10m into children’s services

Aiming to lower social worker caseloads by employing 132 members by 2021.

How safe are our children? NSPCC report

See the NSPCC report which compiles and analyses the most robust and up-to-date child protection data that exists for 2016.

Ellie Butler Serious Case Review

A serious case review criticised the family courts for their role.

Culture Change Programme – A Fairer Start

Interface are delighted to have been successful in being selected to provide a culture change training programme for A Fairer Start programme in Stockton.

Dentists urge action over 'crisis' in child dental health

Dentists are warning of a "crisis" in child dental after new figures revealed that thousands of children in England had to have decaying teeth removed last year.

Concern over implications of ‘profound’ safeguarding reforms

Proposed changes to Local Authority Safeguarding Arrangements.

Putting infant mental health in the spotlight

NSPCC has launched a campaign to improve mental health provision for looked-after children under five.

In Care, Out of Trouble

Interface are delighted with the excellent report by The Rt. Hon. the Lord Laming CBE DL examining how the life chances of children in care can be transformed by protecting them from unnecessary involvement in the criminal justice system.

Wood Report Review of the role and functions of Local Safeguarding Children Boards

See the recent Wood report on a review of the role and functions of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) within the context of local strategic multi-agency working.

Wraparound and holiday update

The government has published the response to the childcare provider ‘rights to request’ consultation... read more...

Webinar – Research and Evaluation

Please listen to the recent Webinar to hear tips from experts about what to consider in research and evaluation.

Youth offending team funding cut by further £9m

Youth offending teams (YOT) have had their funding slashed by a further £9m, it has emerged.

MP Tim Loughton concerned about quiet chief children's social worker

Chief children’s social worker Isabelle Trowler has been criticised for failing to give the post a high enough media or public profile.

Academies 'discriminating against SEN pupils', MPs told

Multi-academy trusts (MATs) are discriminating against children with special educational needs (SEN) by excluding disproportionate numbers.

Wendy Weal talks at Community Care Live Conference

Our Director, Wendy Weal presents at the recent Community Care Live conference in Birmingham. It is the largest free social care event featuring popular innovations.

Oftsed advice on unregistered schools

Sir Michael Wilshaw has written to the Secretary of State for Education raising concerns from his inspectors working in the area of child safety.

New publication Parental Mental Health and Child Welfare Work

This Annual brings together different perspectives on success and collaborative working for parental mental health and child welfare professionals.

Our own Wendy Weal has a section (Chapter 11 p75-77) on the schools vulnerability tool.

Early Years Educator Article - Level 4 Certificate - Working with Children, Individuals and Families

Read more about a new programme designed to equip workers with the understanding, ability and confidence to go out and work effectively with children, individuals and families.

Nursery World Interview with Wendy Weal - New Level 4 certificate for early intervention

Schools -Effective Staff Support and Supervision Training

Interface are delighted to be providing Effective Staff Support and Supervision Training for a group of schools in Coventry.

Suffolk Council praised for outstanding work with children in care

Improvement role for councils

LGA’s Roy Perry says the improvement agenda in children’s services should be led by councils instead of the government threatening to parachute in outside experts and set up independent trusts to oversee children’s social care.

Government announces extra £80m for SEN reforms

Councils across England will share £35.8m in 2016/17 to help them transfer young people to education, health and care (EHC) plans... read more...

Government commits to long-term funding for youth project

The government will continue to fund the British Youth Council (BYC) to support its Youth Voice initiative until 2020.

MP Tim Loughton supports New Level 4 Training ‘Working with children individuals and families.’

We are delighted that MP Tim Loughton has endorsed our new Level 4 training 'Working with vulnerable children, individuals and families' programme.He has also agreed to write a foreword for the comprehensive learner recourse explaining to learners how valuable their role is in transforming the lives of vulnerable families.