Articles by Date : January 01 2003 - January 31 2003

Complain sailing
When you respond to complaints are your actions defensible or simply defensive? Christine Doorly, Des Kelly, Janet Sedon and Martin Willis take it on.... more
(23 January 2003 00:00)

On the path to freedom
A teenage boy who was abused as a child has gone on to abuse others. Jamie Schofield , a residential care manager, tells Graham Hopkins how his.... more
(23 January 2003 00:00)

Make allowances
Those living in local authority-run homes cannot get certain care allowances, writes Gary Vaux. more
(23 January 2003 00:00)

Creative thinking
Letter from Niaragua. more
(16 January 2003 00:00)

Research into practice
If we are to improve gender-aware practice we must come to terms with social work office culture, says researcher Jonathan Scourfield. more
(23 January 2003 00:00)

More than mental health
Our multidisciplinary team looks at the case of a teenage mother with a history of self-harming and low self-esteem. more
(16 January 2003 00:00)

Research into practice
Teenage parents seek different things from older parents when using a confidential helpline, says research co-author Jane Akister. more
(16 January 2003 00:00)

Corps standards
A partnership between children's services and the army in south Wales is winning a battle against youth offending by use of an intensive four-day.... more
(16 January 2003 00:00)

How wishing on a starr helped
Nine-year-old Homayra Ibrahim was severely traumatised when she sought asylum in Britain. Andrew Starr, primary mental health worker, tells Graham.... more
(09 January 2003 00:00)

Decisive moments
Can't make your mind up about how decisive to be? John Belcher, Sheena Doyle and Daphne Obang establish their intention to provide practical tips on.... more
(09 January 2003 00:00)

Background of Victoria Climbie case
Background stories from Victoria Climbie case. more
(28 January 2003 11:15)

Laming calls for fundamental reform
Lord Laming has called for fundamental changes to be made to children and families services in his inquiry report into Victoria Climbie's death, .... more
(28 January 2003 14:27)

Voluntary sector fears lottery merger
The voluntary sector has raised concerns over government proposals to merge lottery money distributors, the Community Fund and the New Opportunities.... more
(16 January 2003 00:00)

We don't want no education
Labour may give the impression of being tough on truancy but it is not so hot on the reason why 50,000 pupils each day skip school - something that.... more
(23 January 2003 00:00)

Bridging the Divide at Transition: What Happens for Young People with Learning Difficulties and their Families?
Bridging the Divide at Transition: What Happens for Young People with Learning Difficulties and their Families? Pauline Heslop, Robina.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Fatal delay
Terminally ill people are failing to receive benefits on time, despite rules designed to help, reports social worker Geraldine Nosowska. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Scandal of a system that lets thousands of children 'disappear'
There are more than 10,000 west African children in private foster care in Britain - unmonitored and unprotected. The need for action could not be.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Childhood Poverty and Social Exclusion
John Pierson on children's views of their own poverty. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Debate: the Victoria Climbie report - what next?
The most important changes should take place on the front line. Structural change in itself will not improve child protection. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Poor careers advice for those in care
Social workers in Northern Ireland need greater access to careers information to improve the advice offered to looked-after children, a new report.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Research into practice
Neil Thompson looks at research into the significance of resilience factors when children face transitions in their lives. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Community Fund delays merger move
The Community Fund has deferred its decision on whether to merge with the New Opportunities Fund, following concerns voiced by voluntary sector.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Call for inquiry into future of funding
A royal commission or "Wanless-type" inquiry should investigate jointly funding health and social care, says social worker turned Labour MP David.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

New bill to extend discrimination law
The definition of disability will soon include people with HIV and cancer, offering them greater protection against discrimination. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Council pays over assessment delays
South Tyneside Council has paid £500 compensation to a disabled man who had to wait months to receive home help and home adaptation assessments. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Police adapt simulator software to improve child protection skills
Social work managers from Croydon and two other councils are to undergo critical incident training on a computer simulation based on the Victoria.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Refugee charity calls on government to press ahead with induction centres
Nick Hardwick, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, has urged the government to continue with its controversial plans for asylum seeker.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Five win pay-out for years of abuse
Five people who allegedly endured a regime of physical and emotional abuse at a children's home in the 1960s and 1970s have been awarded a total of.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Cumbria gets foster carers on board
Cumbria Council is trying to recruit foster carers by advertising for them on buses. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Social workers' trial for theft collapses
Two social workers alleged to have defrauded Hampshire Council have been cleared of all charges after their trial collapsed. more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Single parents who work benefit more
Lone parents who receive child support payments are nearly twice as likely to have a job as those who receive no payments from former partners, new.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Internet whistleblower sacked
A social worker at Swindon council, who set up a website criticising the performance of her employers, has been sacked at a disciplinary hearing, .... more
(31 January 2003 15:41)

Report backs 1999 Haringey joint review
Lord Laming's report backs the original joint review of Haringey Council, which he says "continues to be the best available evidence as to the state.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Some poor reports
Letter from Saratov, Russia. During the past decade, newspapers have broken with the official line about the causes of poverty, writes Olga Boiko..... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Peers aim to delay social services fines
Liberal Democrats peers are planning to bring about a change to the Delayed Discharges Bill to prevent the proposals to fine social services coming.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

'Whistle-blower' faces disciplinary
A social worker who set up a website that alleged her council was under-performing is due to face a disciplinary hearing at Swindon Council, in.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Government set to ride out storm over definition of mental disorder
Some of the controversial proposals in the draft Mental Health Bill look set to remain, according to guidance on personality disorders released by.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Help for a sitting target
A wheelchair user claims that his carer physically attacks him. But he is unwilling to have his claims investigated. Our panel advises practice panel.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Decisions, decisions....
University is among the options available to care leaver Heidi Osborne but worries about the future haunt her more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

What we want for children
In phase two of the Victoria Climbie Inquiry, Lord Laming received submissions from a variety of agencies involved in children's services to inform.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

New cash for holiday schemes for vulnerable children
The government has announced funding for a national network of activity programmes for vulnerable children to take place during the summer holidays, .... more
(30 January 2003 17:31)

Debate:the Victoria Climbie report - what next?
The creation of a dedicated child protection service will resolve many of the problems inherent in the current system more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

More money to set up local trust pilots
The government is expected to announce a further £1 million of funding for the first wave of children's trusts, along with the launch of its.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Listen and learn
There is a rare chance to rebuild child protection policy after the Victoria Climbie tragedy. Agencies could make a start by speaking to and.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Consumers' views
A groundbreaking scheme in Staffordshire sees disabled people influencing consultation and user involvement through organising and presenting.... more
(30 January 2003 00:00)

Probation service staff take industrial action
Probation service staff in eight areas are working to their contracted hours as part of a dispute over their workloads following a strike on January.... more
(31 January 2003 11:45)

Milburn urges rethink over discipline against senior staff in Climbie case
In his response to Lord Laming’s report, health secretary Alan Milburn reignited the debate over whether senior managers in charge in Haringey at the.... more
(28 January 2003 17:44)

Friday 31 January 2003
Blair orders asylum crackdown on businesses. Youth minister says 'discipline' is not a dirty word. more
(31 January 2003 09:55)

Laming's plan for a 'children's commissioner' faces attack
Lord Laming recommended a new national agency for children and families led by a 'children's commissioner'. Opinions are divided on whether this.... more
(29 January 2003 17:25)

Functions of new inspection body unveiled
The government has published the remit and duties of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), which will supercede the National Care.... more
(29 January 2003 15:23)