Articles by Date : February 01 2003 - February 28 2003

Break down the front door
Lord Laming has set out a vision for improving front-line services that could see the demise of the child protection register. Are his proposals.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

NHS bill to repay costs of people in long-term care may run into millions
The NHS could face a multi-million pound bill to compensate dementia sufferers, disabled people and those with chronic illnesses who have been.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Platt calls for action to ease transition
A "step-change" in the quality of local authority services for people with learning difficulties is needed if the objectives set out in the Valuing.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Funds merger sparks independence fears
A merger of the New Opportunities Fund and the Community Fund was confirmed this week, despite concerns from within the voluntary sector that it.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

School targets ignore wider needs
Support and inclusion for children with the greatest social and learning needs are being compromised because of the competitive culture in schools,.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Huge gap in service provision for young
Many local authorities do not understand their legal duties towards asylum-seeking children and are failing to help them access education, health and.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Partnerships fall short of intentions
Most local strategic partnerships have failed to replace smaller partnerships, despite it being one of the main reasons they were set up, according.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Test case on direct payment restraints
A woman last week launched a test case at the High Court to allow her to use direct payments from her local authority to pay her husband to care for.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Directors urged to visit the front line
Directors of social services should spend an hour a day with front-line staff to find out how they are working and help avoid disasters on the scale.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

'Impact of act must be monitored'
The House of Lords made clear last week that the government should take responsibility for scrutinising the impact of the Community Care (Delayed.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Directors wary of board proposal
The Victoria Climbie Report's key recommendation has received a lukewarm response from the Association of Directors of Social Services. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Sea fort could house rehab project
A charity is attempting to turn a disused world war one sea fort into a rehabilitation centre for drug misusers. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Skills crisis fails to boost pay demands
Nearly two-thirds of visitors to Community Care's website say they do not feel able to negotiate better pay and conditions in view of the shortage of.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

The RHP Companion to Leaving Care
Edited by Ann Wheal. more
(27 February 2003 14:37)

People, Policies and Professionals
By Sally Sainsbury. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Students need study skills
Many social workers drop out of the post-qualifying award in social work because they lack essential research skills and knowledge. But, say.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Just chatting?
Anna Hinds of the Economic and Social Research Council wants to see more appreciation of the value of informal chat to older people. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Peers get personal
A Community Care award illustrates the achievements of the Hearsex project in helping young people discuss personal and sexual matters with their.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Anything but fine...
Opposition to fines for delays in discharging older people from hospitals has focused on how they will effect social services. But could the policy.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Grooming causes 'significant harm'
Manipulating a child to gain their compliance can be just as damaging as the act of sexual abuse, argues Jenny Still. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Dangers of diversity
While devolution of power in the NHS would in theory give more control to staff and patients, won't local empowerment accentuate inequalities across.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

McTernan on Politics
If older people are the main client group of the NHS, why are they so neglected? more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Please stop and listen
The label "personality disorder" provokes unwarranted fear, says Nina Roberts, who has the condition. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Behind the headlines
Our regular panel comments on a topic in the news. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Social care staff unite with nurses in opposing delayed discharge fines
Front-line opposition to government plans to fine social services for delayed discharges is mounting, according to a major survey commissioned by .... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Disparate services 'fail' offenders with mental health problems
A lack of co-ordination in multi-agency working is failing offenders with mental health problems, new research reveals. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Government set to appeal against High Court ruling on asylum claims
The government is to appeal against last week's ruling by the High Court to allow a judicial review of its decision to refuse to support six.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Let's stay together
Nurses and social care workers have tough messages for government this week. And with the two professions speaking out, we feel confident the.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Act now or we will all suffer later
Yvonne Roberts A new report sets out a strategy to tackle social deprivation. It must not be shelved. more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Do you speak my language?
Social workers and nurses will have to put to one side their professional rivalries if they are to build partnership working. And, although.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Ask the family
How do children and young people with behaviour problems relate to familygroup conferences?Socialwork lecturers Kate Wilson and Margaret Bell.... more
(27 February 2003 00:00)

Thursday 27 February 2003
Truancy court ends in shambles. Children from poor families to be given free transport to school. more
(27 February 2003 10:01)

Exclusive: Agencies fail to co-operate to help ex-offenders with mental health problems
Multi-agency working is not successful in tackling the needs of ex-offenders with a mental health problem, an unpublished Revolving Doors Agency.... more
(26 February 2003 16:36)

Woman campaigns for right to give husband direct payment
A woman has launched a test case at the high court to allow her to use direct payments from a local authority to pay her husband to care for her. more
(26 February 2003 15:44)

Directors told they should join frontline staff
Directors of social services should spend an hour each day alongside their frontline staff to get a better idea of how well they are working and help.... more
(26 February 2003 15:15)

Less reconvictions for young offenders
The government claims reconviction rates for young offenders have fallen by more than a fifth in the last six years. more
(26 February 2003 13:26)

Wednesday 26 February 2003
Government plans two new prisons to deal with overcrowding. Minister bans asylum seekers from his surgery. more
(26 February 2003 09:51)

Fund merger prompts voluntary sector income concerns
A merger of the New Opportunities Fund and the Community Fund has been confirmed, despite concerns from within the voluntary sector that it could.... more
(25 February 2003 14:44)

Directors give Laming's management boards cool response
A key recommendation of Lord Laming’s inquiry report has received a lukewarm response from the Association of Directors of Social Services, writes.... more
(25 February 2003 10:51)

Tuesday 25 February 2003
Police drop child abuse allegations against Matthew Kelly. more
(25 February 2003 10:07)

Council expresses regret for baby's death
Edinburgh council has expressed its sincere regret at the death of a baby boy, who was killed by his father, writes Nicola Barry. more
(24 February 2003 12:29)

Victoria Climbie's parents to sue authorities
The parents of Victoria Climbie are to take legal action against the authorities which failed to protect their daughter, writes Sally Gillen. more
(24 February 2003 12:04)

Monday 24 February 2003
Victoria Climbie's parents are to sue social services, police and hospitals for failing to protect her daughter. more
(24 February 2003 09:49)

Debate on whether senior managers take responsibility for service failures
Lord Laming criticised senior managers for their "breathtaking" failure to accept responsibility when services failed to protect Victoria Climbie. more
(20 February 2003 16:06)

Special report on implications of the ombudsman's report on continuing care
Thousands of dementia sufferers, disabled people, and those with a chronic illness could soon be reimbursed for fees they have been wrongly made to.... more
(21 February 2003 16:01)

Councils given power to accommodate children in need
Children act amended to allow local authorities to provide accommodation to children in need. more
(21 February 2003 13:08)

Children's safety must be considered by immigration officials
The risk of violence from a parent is one of the factors that can be considered when children apply for leave to enter the United Kingdom. This was.... more
(21 February 2003 12:58)

Friday 21 February 2003
Village fights for return of deported refugees. Baby's fatal blow 'not an accident' more
(21 February 2003 10:02)

news analysis of lack of consultation over new asylum centres
Protests marked the recent unveiling of plans for an asylum centre in Hampshire. Is the home office's failure to inform and consult impeding.... more
(20 February 2003 00:00)

Detained patients awarded pay-outs
Patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1993 are entitled to compensation if there are delays in reviewing their cases, the High Court ruled in.... more
(20 February 2003 16:42)