Articles by Date : April 01 2004 - April 30 2004

Debate on the registration charge for social workers
We asked:- Is it reasonable that everyone has to pay the same registration fee regardless of their salary? more
(13 April 2004 17:09)

Refugee Action warns of destitution ‘time bomb’ set by the government
Destitution among asylum seekers is a "time bomb", a leading campaigner has warned. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Principled approach
A recent study has led to the development of principles that should underpin services for children and young people with autism, writes researcher.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Deep wounds
Self-harm in young people often only comes to light when they turn up in a hospital A&E department. But that tells only a fraction of the story,.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Life on the edge
Only by listening to those who self-harm do we stand a chance of helping them control their urges. Anabel Unity Sale hears the stories of three young.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Is England being short-changed?
At last England is to gain a children's commissioner.But does the post lack the scope of its equivalents in other parts of the UK? Natalie Valios.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Behind the headlines
Our regular panel comments on a topic in the news: this week, the suggested increase in inspections of public services more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

My stepfather abused me
A young girl endures years of sexual abuse from her stepfather and as a teenager must raise their child. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Neighbourhoods hold the key
We must acknowledge that young people are not solely to blame for antisocial behaviour, writes Edwin Lewis. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Self-help crusade ignores cash facts
The Conservatives still do not recognise that compassion alone can only achieve so much. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Running scared
The government is far more fearful of the "nanny state" tag than necessary. It mistakenly believes that the public will not accept interference in.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

'Too many laws fail to improve system'
The government has been accused of producing too much asylum legislation rather than making the system work better. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Asylum tag fails children, says expert
Many social workers do not realise the Children Act 1989 covers asylum-seeking children, an asylum expert told the conference. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Encouragement from carers key
Encouragement from carers, teachers and social workers is the most important factor in the educational achievement of looked-after children, research.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

A year with no help and still couple wait
Doncaster Council, criticised last year by the Social Services Inspectorate over its home care, has left a sick man caring for his terminally ill.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Father-friendly UK wanted by charter
A three-year initiative for a father-friendly Britain was launched this week. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Government backs new rights bill
The government announced its support for the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill last week. The bill will give carers new rights to opportunities for.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Health visitors seek to stop service cuts
The Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association is fighting the Vale of Aylesbury Primary Care Trust's proposals to cut the health.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Connexions hailed by Audit Office
The Connexions Service represents a radical change in the delivery of guidance to young people, according to a National Audit Office report published.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Public forums 'not yet working well'
Many of the new bodies set up to allow the public to monitor the quality of health services are not functioning properly, according to forum members. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Browne steps into Hughes's shoes
Former Department for Work and Pensions minister Des Browne has been appointed as minister for citizenship and immigration following Beverley.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

'Poor treatment' of Cafcass board member may deter new applicants
The former board member of the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service at the centre of a whistleblowing dispute fears her poor.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

'Official' letters frighten homes into making 'data protection' payments
Care homes are being targeted by bogus companies into paying more than £100 to register under the Data Protection Act 1998. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Stoke Heath death inquiry unlikely
A public inquiry into the death of Joseph Scholes at Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution is unlikely to go ahead despite calls from campaigners.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

'Councils must be given more cash'
Councils in north west England believe the government needs to find extra funding if they are to pay residential nursing homes a "fair" rate for.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Bath drowning case may be re-opened
A care worker could be prosecuted over the death of a man with learning difficulties in 1998 after the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that it is.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Possible ID card for children's workers
A children's worker passport that would be carried by professionals who have been vetted is under consideration by the Department for Education and.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Risk assessment will determine rights
Asylum seekers applying for refugee status in the European Union could be divided into two classes in the future, depending on the risks they face in.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Extra pay for some West Sussex staff
West Sussex Council has agreed to pay child care social workers higher salaries to boost recruitment and retention, it has emerged. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Charities fear information-sharing will lead to loss of clients' trust
Voluntary sector organisations providing statutory services will be required to share information about children under plans in the Children Bill to.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Barnardo's wants tougher B&B laws
Thousands of children will remain in temporary accommodation despite the government's pledge that no family will spend long periods in B&Bs from this.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

New chief frowns at overuse of strip cells
Special cells in young offenders institutions should only ever be used sparingly, according to the new chair of the Youth Justice Board. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Hate crime hits third of disabled Scots
A third of disabled people in Scotland suffer hate crime attacks at least once a month, a new survey has revealed. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Alcohol Concern flags up fears over National Treatment Agency's future
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has vehemently denied rumours that its future could be in jeopardy. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Patients rely on charities for new clothes as trusts 'shirk obligations'
People with mental health problems who spend a long time in hospital receiving treatment are being denied suitable clothing by mental health trusts. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Glasgow short on doctor assessors
People in Glasgow who need medical assessments for benefits such as attendance allowance may face difficulties finding a doctor approved to assess.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Hidden catch to council tax bonus?
Older people might have to wait months for the £100 contributions towards their council tax bills promised in last month's budget, it has emerged. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Lords greet bill but seek more money and independence for commissioner
While backing the Children Bill, many peers have doubts about database information access and the scope of the children's commissioner's role. Lauren.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Board's new head is sweet on cutting number of young people in custody
Youth Justice Board chair Rod Morgan tells Clare Jerrom how his experience in testing and piloting sweets could provide lessons on how to improve.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Gunn on Politics
Beverley Hughes lacked empathy with the aspirations of eastern Europeans. more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Patients need a voice
Patient and user involvement has been made an article of faith by this government as it seeks to develop health and social care services. The new.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Hung out to dry
The official code of conduct for social care workers places a duty on staff to highlight poor standards, abuse or a lack of resources that may affect.... more
(08 April 2004 00:00)

Tuesday 13 April 2004
Immigration lawyers to do ethics tests. Civil servants in benefit offices go on strike. more
(13 April 2004 09:59)

What do social workers think of registration?
One in seven qualified social workers won’t register with the General Social Care Council “until forced to”, exclusive research has revealed from.... more
(08 April 2004 17:54)

Social workers are a truthful lot
Social care staff in the voluntary sector are an honest bunch, with just 6 per cent admitting that they have ever lied on their CV when applying for.... more
(15 April 2004 12:49)

More housing help for key workers
One-stop shops in England are to market a £690m programme designed to keep social workers, teachers and nurses in areas where house prices are high.... more
(15 April 2004 12:48)

Recruitment crisis for outreach teams
Crisis resolution and assertive outreach teams are finding it difficult to recruit social workers, a new report has found. more
(15 April 2004 12:48)

Thursday 8 April 2004
Homes for key workers to be built on NHS sites. 100,000 civil servants to join strike. more
(08 April 2004 10:09)

Cafcass rebel fears board recruitment crisis
The former board member of Cafcass who was at the centre of a whistleblowing dispute fears her poor treatment could put others off serving in similar.... more
(07 April 2004 10:48)

Wednesday 7 April 2004
Race crime linked to dispersal scheme Blair wants audit of asylum figures more
(07 April 2004 10:11)