Articles by Date : April 01 2002 - April 30 2002

Vital statistics for social work
Let's face it, social workers don't like statistics. more
(18 April 2002 00:00)

Reflections
Why is it that social services have such a bad press? To my mind, there can be no greater stress-creating situation than that of responding to an.... more
(18 April 2002 00:00)

Children in the round
Barnardo’s Terry Jones, Jenny Lewis and Owen Gill argue that adopting an ‘ecological’ approach brings into play powerful forces.... more
(18 April 2002 00:00)

Social care expects
Clare Jerrom kicks off a new series following six social work students as they approach the end of their courses and begin the search for.... more
(18 April 2002 00:00)

The best under review
I agree with Donal Mullally (Viewpoint, 28 March) that one of the major challenges facing social services departments is how to make the best use.... more
(18 April 2002 00:00)

Connexions programme extended to new areas
Connexions, the government’s advice and guidance service for 13 to 19-year-olds, has been launched in 12 new areas in the second stage of the.... more
(16 April 2002 14:46)

Councils no longer need community care plans
Local authorities will no longer be legally required to produce community care plans from this month (April). more
(16 April 2002 14:50)

Home secretary tells parents to stop children drinking
Home secretary David Blunkett urged parents to take responsibility for their children's drinking habits at a conference on youth crime, writes.... more
(16 April 2002 14:59)

A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers
By Clare Jerrom, Reg McKay and Alex Dobson. more
(17 April 2002 09:45)

England and Wales top European league for numbers of children sent to prison
More children are imprisoned in England and Wales than any other European country, despite home office statistics showing youth crime has fallen.... more
(17 April 2002 11:16)

Prosecutors not aware of how to handle rape cases against people with learning difficulties
Prosecutors in rape cases, where the victim has learning difficulties, are not always aware of how to handle the issues involved, according to a.... more
(17 April 2002 12:28)

Local authorities must consult carers of disabled children over vouchers
Local authorities required to issue carers of disabled children with vouchers for respite breaks, must consult recipients on how the scheme will.... more
(17 April 2002 12:40)

Bill to address 'Bournewood Gap' delayed
The second reading of a bill intended to provide protection for people with a mental disorder who are unable to consent to being treated in.... more
(17 April 2002 12:46)

Have your say
Do you think investigations into institutional child abuse are handled fairly? Are former staff in children's homes accused of crimes they did not.... more
(15 April 2002 10:47)

Number of social work students falls again
The number of people applying to become social workers fell again last year, new statistics show. more
(15 April 2002 11:55)

A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers
By David Callaghan, Reg McKay and Alex Dobson. more
(16 April 2002 09:18)

Landmark case sets human rights limits
The 21 March 2002 will be recorded as the date when the Human Rights Act 1998 had severe limits placed upon it by the judiciary. more
(16 April 2002 10:50)

Executive defends transfer of high profile asylum seekers before MSPs' visit
High profile asylum seekers have been moved away from Dungavel Detention Centre only days before a formal visit by a cross-party group of MSPs and.... more
(16 April 2002 11:42)

Fall in grants for disadvantaged groups
The amount of grants the community fund awards to disadvantaged groups is to fall from £287 million in 2002-03 to around £215 million.... more
(16 April 2002 14:20)

Swansea must improve prison conditions
Swansea prison must improve conditions for its vulnerable prisoners, a report from an unannounced inspection by the prison inspectorate has.... more
(18 April 2002 14:29)

Queen Mother's funeral delays cases
BAAF Adoption and Fostering has urged courts to promptly reschedule cases involving the future of vulnerable children that were cancelled because.... more
(11 April 2002 12:47)

news analysis of the role of doctors in child protection
Health professionals have failed to take their child protection responsibilities seriously, according to a new report. more
(11 April 2002 13:01)

Modernisation? We can do that
Social work already has the resources it needs to take responsibility for modernising itself, says David Asquith. more
(11 April 2002 13:48)

Great idea, shame about the resources
Next week's budget should give more financial help to parents to pay for child care. Gordon Brown quickly did what no chancellor had done.... more
(11 April 2002 14:03)

Behind the headlines
Our regular panel comments on a topic in the news. more
(11 April 2002 14:47)

Increase in number of children in poverty in Scotland
The number of Scottish children living in poverty has increased over the last year in spite of government plans to reduce the number, writes Reg.... more
(12 April 2002 17:22)

Youngsters to go to hearings rather than courts
Young offenders aged 16 and 17 are set to be referred to the children’s hearing system rather than the courts and helped in the community.... more
(12 April 2002 17:33)

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
(15 April 2002 09:24)

Government offers councils legal advice on helping homeless families
The Department of Health has advised social services departments to use powers under the Local Government Act 2000 to help homeless families with.... more
(11 April 2002 12:45)

Survey shows lack of adult numeracy
New research from the Department for Education and Skills has highlighted that as many as one in five adults may not have been able to calculate.... more
(11 April 2002 12:49)

Call to help victims of violent crime
Social workers are being called on by experts in criminal injury compensation to help provide more comprehensive support to victims of violent.... more
(11 April 2002 12:51)

NHS Alliance calls for joined-up approach from primary care trusts
Within three years, primary care trusts should have special arrangements in place for asylum seekers, refugees, single teenage mothers and isolated.... more
(11 April 2002 12:53)

Lottery distributor may get wider role
Culture secretary Tessa Jowell favours the idea of the Community Fund becoming a distributor of non-lottery money, according to the Department of.... more
(11 April 2002 12:56)

Scotland plans ban on hitting children
Women, children and victims of crime are to be the main beneficiaries of radical new legislation, according to the Scottish executive. more
(11 April 2002 12:57)

This week's diary is by a council social services press officer
Monday Just back from maternity leave and everyone tells me I've picked a bad time to return. Our joint review report is out this week and I'm.... more
(11 April 2002 13:51)

Reflections
As a social work academic previously employed by the NSPCC, I have followed the Victoria Climbie inquiry with concern. more
(11 April 2002 13:53)

Silent drug menace
The inappropriate prescription of psychoactive drugs barely creates a ripple outside the professional press, but it is at least as big a social.... more
(11 April 2002 13:55)

Inaccurate, offensive…
I am all for unconventional or even "politically incorrect" views, but they should be well argued and backed up by evidence. more
(11 April 2002 13:59)

Female offenders need better care
Fewer women should be sent to prison and there should be early access to adequate care for detained women with mental health problems, says a.... more
(11 April 2002 12:14)

Quality services get official recognition
Local government minister Nick Raynsford has praised 46 councils for the quality of some of their key public services, as he announced beacon.... more
(11 April 2002 12:17)

Intervention helps council services
Government intervention improves failing local authority services, according to new findings by the Audit Commission. more
(11 April 2002 12:19)

Charity chairperson faces theft charges
A charity worker from North Wales has been accused of stealing thousands of pounds from the charity for which he worked, which had been set up to.... more
(11 April 2002 12:24)

Britain lags behind in drugs treatment
Britain offers drug substitution treatment to fewer addicts than most other European Union member states, according to an EU drug-use agency. more
(11 April 2002 12:27)

Directors call for four-year degree
The government should consider extending the length of the social work degree from three years to four, according to the Association of Directors.... more
(11 April 2002 12:30)

Deaf couple choose to have deaf child
The National Deaf Children's Society has supported the decision by an American lesbian couple to deliberately have a second deaf child. more
(11 April 2002 12:31)

Somerset care trust workers report stress and independence concerns
Newly integrated health and social care organisations can expect to see a deterioration in staff morale and a rise in anxiety and stress among the.... more
(11 April 2002 12:33)

Report backs use of support workers
Mental health service users consider support workers to be vital to their recovery according to a report by mental health charity Maca. more
(11 April 2002 12:36)

Council staff caught up in contract trap
More than 1,000 social services staff at Derbyshire Council will lose their jobs if they refuse to accept new contracts which, their union claims,.... more
(11 April 2002 12:38)

Council faces court case over fees
Private care home owners in Durham have increased their fees by £70 a week after giving the council just 28 days' notice of the rise. more
(11 April 2002 12:42)

Talks on proposed assault law urged
Unison has called for talks with teaching unions to discuss demands for greater protection from assault for public servants made by one of the.... more
(11 April 2002 12:43)