Articles by Date : January 01 2002 - January 31 2002

Killer tells Victoria Climbie inquiry social services should not be blamed
One of Victoria Climbie’s killers has told the inquiry into her death that social services should not be blamed for failing to act, writes.... more
(31 January 2002 10:09)

Inquiry calls for overhaul of child protection services
An inquiry into one of Scotland’s biggest sex abuse scandals in Fife has concluded that the protection of children in the care of local.... more
(31 January 2002 11:44)

A broken compromise
Revelations that nursing home owners are failing to pass on the NHS supplement for free nursing care are unsurprising and confirm that the policy.... more
(31 January 2002 00:00)

A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers
By Clare Jerrom and Alex Dobson. more
(29 January 2002 09:58)

Charity produces evidence to cast doubt over rough sleeper count
A homelessness charity has produced evidence to cast doubt over the official government figures for people sleeping rough, writes David Callaghan. more
(30 January 2002 12:15)

Guidance for single assessments of older people issued
Final guidance on the single assessment process for older people has been launched by health minister Jacqui Smith. more
(28 January 2002 17:46)

Charity labels free nursing care programme ``a shambles``
Older people’s charity Age Concern has called for an inquiry by the House of Commons health select committee into the implementation of free.... more
(29 January 2002 12:37)

Spiritual needs of people with learning difficulties neglected
More should be done to address the spiritual needs of people with learning difficulties, according to a report from a learning difficulties.... more
(29 January 2002 15:23)

New bill to strengthen disability law
A private member's bill intended to strengthen current disability legislation has been presented to the House of Lords, writes Katie Leason. more
(29 January 2002 15:46)

A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers
By Clare Jerrom, Reg McKay and Alex Dobson. more
(30 January 2002 11:33)

Have your say
Maria Eagle, who is the minister responsible for disabled people, carers benefits and attendance allowances, is to take part in this discussion.... more
(23 January 2002 11:33)

Inspectors warn Brighton a care trust must improve services
The most important task for Brighton and Hove is to ensure that the planned establishment of a care trust leads "directly to better services for.... more
(25 January 2002 15:47)

Taskforce set to recommend policies to help homeless people
The Scottish executive’s homelessness taskforce is set to produce its final recommendations on future policies for homelessness. more
(25 January 2002 16:25)

A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers
Including headlines from Saturday and Sunday. By Clare Jerrom, Reg McKay and Alex Dobson. more
(28 January 2002 10:00)

Confusion at Climbie inquiry over NSPCC evidence
There was further confusion at the Victoria Climbie inquiry last week when it was revealed that late submissions by the NSPCC included two.... more
(28 January 2002 10:54)

Homeless bill loophole closed after pressure from social services directors
A potential loophole that may have forced councils to take the children of intentionally homeless families into care was closed last week by a.... more
(28 January 2002 11:28)

Have your say opportunity to quiz minister
Maria Eagle, who is the minister responsible for disabled people, carers benefits and attendance allowances, is to take part in the Have your say.... more
(24 January 2002 10:57)

Introducing Dementia - The Essential Facts And Issues Of Care
By David Sutcliffe. Age Concern Books £14. more
(24 January 2002 11:46)

Research into practice
The balance between child protection and child welfare is often a source of controversy. more
(24 January 2002 11:54)

Former nursery staff sue over abuse claim
Two former nursery workers accused of sexually abusing children in their care in a local authority report are suing for libel. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Less than two thirds of older people in care homes visited every week
Less than two thirds of people in care homes are visited by relatives or friends every week according to national statistics on the health of older.... more
(24 January 2002 12:55)

Mucking in to save a life
A farmer is shunned by his local community due to the effects of depression and fails to look after his animals properly. In his isolation he.... more
(24 January 2002 11:54)

Chief inspector warns of worsening recruitment problems in Wales
The chief inspector of social services in Wales has warned that there are increasing difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff in the.... more
(24 January 2002 16:38)

Watchdog finds improvements in social services provision
A number of improvements have been made in Scotland’s social services departments, according to the chairperson of the Accounts Commission. more
(24 January 2002 16:56)

A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers
By Clare Jerrom and Alex Dobson. more
(25 January 2002 09:55)

Behind the headlines
Our regular panel comments on a topic in the news. L is a man with severe learning difficulties, who cannot be named for legal reasons. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Ignoring our ambitions
Visually impaired people should be provided with the opportunities that others take for granted, says Phil Brough. The status of visually.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

This week's writer is a county council social worker
Monday As a fieldworker in an area office in the centre of town I join the daily scrum of shoppers in the search for a parking space. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Breaking up is easier when you are poor
An abandoned baby in Portugal has highlighted why some cohabiting couples split up The relationship between Mark Beddoes and Katherine Penny,.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

The gift of sport
Sport can provide disabled people with huge opportunities for fulfilment and personal growth, says Peter White, whose own experiences at a boarding.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Direct to the client
Alison Miller reports on a Cumbria-based direct payments scheme that won the older people/intermediate care category in Community Care's awards.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Worth waiting for?
Gary Vaux hails a benefit that could boost the income of five million older people - but not until 2003. Do you remember supplementary benefit?.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Caring through the Troubles
By Marie Smyth, Mike Morrissey, Jennifer Hamilton North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust free The Troubles in Northern Ireland.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers
By Clare Jerrom and Alex Dobson. more
(24 January 2002 09:57)

Only a quarter of care trust pilots are ready for April take off
Of the 16 care trust demonstrator sites announced by the government last year, only four are expected to go live in April 2002. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Cash bid to cover charity pull-out
The Welsh task force charged with devising a rescue package in the wake of the Children's Society decision to pull out of Wales says it has made.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Starter home bidding begins
Two thousand key workers in areas with high housing costs outside London are to benefit from £10,000 equity loans towards their first home. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Report criticises use of drugs and electronic tagging in care homes
Older people in care homes continue to be subject to various forms of restraint, according to a report by older people's charity Counsel and Care. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Minister calls in Walsall leaders after critical Audit Commission report
Leaders of Walsall Council were summoned by local government minister Nick Raynsford last week to explain how they will address "deep-seated.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Executive under pressure to meet extra costs of free personal care
The Scottish executive's plans for the care of older people face cash crises that could jeopardise the introduction of free personal care. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Timely reminder at a late hour
Working late one evening health manager Laurie Fentimen had a phone call that left a lasting impression. I never learn. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Advocacy needs friends
Advocacy has been described as a "good concept now trivialised" ("Speaking up", 10 January). more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Reflections
Imagine that your building society is repossessing your house and you are obliged to move out. more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Abandoned child's parents in talks
Bournemouth Council social services are having talks with the parents of baby Charlie Penny, who was abandoned in Portugal last week, over the.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

NSPCC still wants champion for all
Draft regulations for the children's rights director's role in England issued last week have prompted a mixed reaction from children's charity.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Care leavers want better housing
Young people leaving care need affordable accommodation that offers them additional support, a group of young care leavers told a conference for.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Support for count of rough sleepers
The government's controversial count of rough sleepers has been supported by two local government professionals involved in the process, who.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Low-risk patients in top secure hospital
Patients are regularly stuck inappropriately in the State Psychiatric Hospital in Carstairs, Lanarkshire, due to lack of community resources, the.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Stay of execution for Lambeth charity
Lambeth Shad, a charity providing 24-hour support and housing assistance for disabled people, has been given a four-week reprieve and a glimmer of.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)

Bolton praised for quality of services
Bolton Council's social services department has good quality services and has excellent prospects for further improvements, according to a report.... more
(24 January 2002 00:00)