Articles by Date : June 01 2004 - June 30 2004

Employers call on councils to pay more.
Councils must pay higher fees if the voluntary sector is to recruit and retain qualified staff in order to provide high-quality services, social care.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Union seeks end to false abuse claims.
Members of Unison this week voted to introduce a policy to help workers falsely accused of abuse, arguing it was "disgraceful" that the public sector.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Children Bill fails to place new duties on schools – for now
Attempts to place a legal duty on schools to identify and meet the needs of looked after children in the Children Bill have failed, but could.... more
(25 June 2004 14:46)

Power vacuum is 'threat to services'.
Directors of social services at councils which fell into no overall control after the recent local elections could find their services affected by.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Back to the real world.
A widow's anxiety and isolation have been intensified by her son losing contact while living in France. Our panel assesses the case. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Government abandons new asylum caseworker recruitment rules
An attempt to broaden the diversity of asylum caseworkers by abolishing the job’s minimum academic requirements has been abandoned by the government.... more
(25 June 2004 14:20)

That Friday feeling.
A Friday evening activities group is engaging with young people in care by appreciating that education is not just about exam results. Graham Hopkins.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Take nothing for granted.
In the fourth part of his guide to social services finances, Paul Cook describes how to take maximum advantage of the array of grants that are.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Too much talk?
Three years ago it was hoped learning disability partnership boards would be the focus of user and carer-centred planning of services. Rachel Fyson.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

The balloon has deflated.
Three years ago Valuing People set out a vision of independence and choice for people with learning difficulties. Today many service users and.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Clash of wills.
Under the new Mental Capacity Bill, people could make living wills setting out what they wish to happen to them should they lose mental capacity in.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Debate on the role of unions in social work
Social care staff fear a blurring of professional boundaries as a result of plans to move their work closer to education and health. Do social.... more
(25 June 2004 12:54)

Worst of all worlds.
For many women with HIV/Aids from ethnic minorities their condition is compounded by hostility from family and friends, and only grudging help from.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

A service user's view of social care.
Service users, councils and participants were all benefiting from the European Volunteer Scheme - until some governments started disapproving of.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

We won despite stigma.
Barbara Howard describes how, against all the odds, her autistic son became a computer expert. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Belittlement that can break minds.
Society's prejudices about people with mental illness are harming their chances of recovery, writes Richard Brook. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

The will to live.
A living will may give the very ill some control over their lives and how they wish to die. But as a society do we really expect health.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Can new campaign to fight stigma win over public hearts and minds?
The latest attempt to give people with mental health problems a fairer deal is being launched this week. But, asks Sally Gillen, what can it.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Citizens of a dozen EU states rate social services higher than in UK.
Nearly half of European Union countries have higher quality social services than the UK, delegates to the annual European social services conference.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

MPs launch probe into influence of drug industry on UK regulators.
MPs are to hold an inquiry into the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the UK's health policies in a move hailed by mental health.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Projects in doubt as funding due to end.
Opportunities to reshape mainstream public services in deprived areas could be lost if neighbourhood renewal grants are withdrawn in 2006,.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Northern Ireland to raise expectations.
A leading Northern Irish civil servant has called on the government to educate people to seek higher standards from social services. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Dutch 'unwilling' find incentive to work.
Disabled people and drug abusers, like the rest of the population, have to look for a job for 20 hours a week in order to qualify for benefits in the.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Labour must regain universal principles.
Yvonne Roberts. Even the Conservatives have recognised the need for universally available child care. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

'Unpopular' groups are being excluded.
Housing associations are "covertly excluding some vulnerable groups" as part of their policies, the Audit Commission has revealed. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Minister seeks greater private sector role.
Minister for community care Stephen Ladyman has criticised councils that are failing to involve private sector housing developers in the building of.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

New powers for advocacy and living wills in revised Mental Capacity Bill.
Powers enabling people to make living wills that set out their wishes should they lose the mental capacity to make decisions were set out in a bill.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

EU laws 'increasing risk to refugees'.
Refugees will be at greater risk of persecution under the new EU asylum system, it is claimed. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Councils urged to take action to stem rise in homelessness.
Councils need to take preventive action to halt the rise in homelessness, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has warned. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Associations can restore cohesion.
Housing Associations have a vital role to play in bringing communities together, the National Housing Federation told delegates. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Cuts in Supporting People funding would 'mark end of new projects'.
The Association of Directors of Social Services has written to the government expressing its concern for the future of services funded under.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Violence at home breeds bad behaviour.
Antisocial behaviour and domestic violence go hand in hand and will be looked at together, confirmed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister permanent.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Few appeals on care costs succeed.
About one in nine appeals for the reimbursement of care costs that should have been paid by the NHS have been successful, the government has.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

New blueprint for social care mooted.
A 10-year vision of local government could map out the future relationship between social services and health and education. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Assessments hit by inadequate IT.
Poor IT infrastructure at primary care trusts is hampering implementation of the single assessment process for older people, a survey has revealed. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Peers grant extended powers to children's commissioner in England.
The children's commissioner for England has been given greater independence under changes made to the Children Bill by peers. more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Scots bill passed despite concerns.
The Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Bill was passed in Scottish parliament last week by 103 votes to 11 - despite concerns from children's.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Hodge dodges online answers.
Hopes that children's minister Margaret Hodge would shed light on the future of services for children and families at risk of social exclusion were.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

New vetting procedures may follow Bichard inquiry recmmendations.
A central register for all people working with children is being "urgently" considered by the government, following the publication this week of the.... more
(24 June 2004 00:00)

Friday 25 June 2004
Sure Start scheme ‘improves parenting’ One in ten parents go hungry so kids can eat more
(25 June 2004 10:14)

The Simon Hen Column
I recently met a young man who seems to have discovered his voice and his anger. Mick* has moved away from his parents into his own place, managed to.... more
(17 June 2004 00:00)

Don't Judge, Listen.
Sally Mansi and Kate Glover-Wright provide non-judgemental support for young people who use drugs. Here they tell Graham Hopkins that building a.... more
(17 June 2004 00:00)

Book Reviews
Keys to Citizenship. The Birth of an Adoptive, Foster or Stepmother. more
(17 June 2004 00:00)

Training.
Understanding Learning Disabilities. Exploring the Depths. more
(17 June 2004 00:00)

Thursday 24 June 2004
Psychiatric hospital pays out over patient death Support for Soham police chief more
(25 June 2004 08:49)

Wednesday 23 June 2004
Suspected ‘honour killings’ identified Soham police chief refuses to resign more
(23 June 2004 13:23)

Government plans “living wills” to help sufferers of mental incapacity
Powers enabling people to make “living wills” that set out their wishes should they lose the mental capacity to make decisions were set out in a bill.... more
(18 June 2004 16:33)

Scottish Executive promises legislation to protect vulnerable adults
A vulnerable adults bill will be introduced by the Scottish Executive "as soon as suitable legislative opportunity arises" according to Hugh Henry,.... more
(22 June 2004 16:16)

Primary care trusts are lagging in the older people assessment process
Poor IT infrastructure at primary care trusts is hampering the implementation of the single assessment process for older people, a survey by Liberal.... more
(22 June 2004 15:19)

Hodge launches review of expert witness role in child abuse cases
Children’s minister Margaret Hodge has announced an inquiry into the use of medical expert witnesses within child abuse cases in family courts, .... more
(22 June 2004 14:42)