Articles by Date : July 01 2004 - July 31 2004

Voluntary sector promised greater role in long-term planning
Local authorities must support the development of voluntary and community sector infrastructure to allow organisations to have a say in children’s.... more
(05 July 2004 16:52)

MP acts to halt psychiatric unit closure
Families of 11 male long-term psychiatric patients have won their campaign to stop health chiefs closing a purpose built psychiatric unit, writes.... more
(05 July 2004 15:12)

Learning difficulties services still lack appropriate work force planning
The health and social care sector is struggling to recruit appropriately trained staff in the learning difficulties field, a conference heard last.... more
(05 July 2004 13:01)

Disability rights protesters occupy Commission building
Campaigners occupied the Disability Rights Commission in Manchester last month for over five hours arguing that it is not adequately representing the.... more
(05 July 2004 11:26)

Monday 5 July 2004
Parents cleared of child abuse to sue police Muslims demand curb on police powers more
(05 July 2004 10:43)

Foundation hospitals spark fear of “mutant social care”
As ten more foundation hospitals were approved last week, social services directors warned that more safeguards were needed to prevent them from.... more
(02 July 2004 15:54)

Child's play
Children's and young people's views of the Children Bill stress the need for fun and enjoyment and for them to have a greater say in information.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Building support
Housing associations are offering an ever-wider range of services to vulnerable groups. Louise Tickle reports. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Official calms fears that children’s trusts threaten Connexions
Fears that Connexions is to be phased out as children’s trusts come on stream were allayed this week by a leading civil servant, writes Amy Taylor..... more
(02 July 2004 16:24)

Paedophile report criticises two Welsh directors of education
Two directors of education have been severely criticised in a report by the Welsh Children’s Commissioner for the authorities’ failure to act against.... more
(02 July 2004 15:25)

Solicitor warns against pressure for psychiatric diagnosis of asylum cases
Social workers and mental health professionals should refuse to provide expert evidence in asylum cases if they feel it is inappropriate, a solicitor.... more
(02 July 2004 14:55)

Scottish Executive launches an independent review of social work
The Scottish Executive has promised a “fundamental look” at social work in the year-long independent review 21st Century Social Work, writes Maggie.... more
(02 July 2004 14:36)

Debate on living wills and social work
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
(02 July 2004 12:23)

The missing link
The crucial connection between decent housing and the protection of vulnerable children has been overlooked in the Children Bill, reports Natalie.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

The big question
Is the Mental Capacity Bill on the right track for empowering vulnerable adults? more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

If you ask me...
Graham Findlay is executive committee member of Cardiff & Vale coalition of disabled people. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

The Simon Heng Column
A service user's view of social care. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Follow that cab!
Clive Redmond felt as if he was on a road to nowhere during a taxi journey to a service users' group. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Soft drug in a class of its own
Reclassifying cannabis may send out the wrong messages that the drug is safe - when it is not, writes Jon Goble. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Parties swap places on compassion divide
The most attractive plans for tackling social exclusion seem to be coming from the Tories. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Costs of inequality
Combating poverty is a worthy aim of any government and one that New Labour has had some success with. But inequality also blights people's lives and.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Bichard tightens up the rules on reporting cases of under-age sex
A protocol developed in Yorkshire could form the basis of national guidance to help social workers identify potential child abuse, according to Sir.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Social care supremo aims to put adult services back on the map
The national director of social care will begin her new job by stripping social care back to its basic elements. Lauren Revans speaks to Kathryn.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Friday 2 July 2004
Sex abuse response criticised Pioneering drug project accused of failing clients more
(02 July 2004 10:50)

Dementia drug a 'waste of money'
A drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease is a waste of money and has little benefit on patients' lives, according to a study published by The Lancet.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Political parties outline their plans for the care services of the future
The government's new five-year NHS improvement plan promises to further integrate social services with health care bodies. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Limited Connexions in special schools
Some special schools are hindering disabled young people's use of Connexions support, according to research. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Bristol trio cleared of care allegations
Three Bristol social workers accused of mishandling the care of a man with mental health problems have been cleared by an internal council inquiry. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Man killed relative after trust blunder
The death of a woman at the hands of her mentally ill grandson could have been prevented if the primary care trust had listened to his family, claims.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Fees dispute prompts Unison call for members to delay registration
Unison is advising its members to delay registering with the UK's social care councils until it resolves a dispute over who should pay fees. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Groups urged to be wary of politicians
Contracts and relationships with the statutory sector could destroy voluntary groups, a public policy think-tank chief has warned. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

New fire guidelines 'restrict residents'
Fire safety checks are preventing care home residents doing everyday tasks and are stifling their independence, it has been claimed. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Research boost for Sure Start schemes
Sure Start is improving parents' relationships with their children, according to findings from a study commissioned by the government of its flagship.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Haringey criticised over scalding case
An independent serious case review into the scalding of a two-year-old boy has criticised Haringey Council in London. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Director seeks surprise decisions
Local authorities have been urged to sidestep traditional routes of promotion and make some "surprise appointments" in new children's services.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Mediation may be part of new bill
Mediation and conflict resolution may become part of the new vulnerable adults bill proposed by the Scottish executive last week (news, page 7, 24.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Government accused of dragging its feet over bid to tackle elder abuse
The government is being urged to tear up its response to the health select committee inquiry into elder abuse and start again. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Majority wants rethink on advocacy
Seven out of 10 visitors to Community Care 's website believe the new Mental Capacity Bill will not give people who lack mental capacity adequate.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Disability Act under fire from judge
Parliament needs to take "rapid remedial action" to reform disability discrimination laws to stop a "deluge of litigation" hitting the courts, Lord.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Police chief voices protection doubts
A senior police officer has raised doubts about police involvement in structural changes outlined in the Children Bill. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Social care director opens pay debate
The incoming national director for social care has refused to rule out a change in the way social workers' pay and conditions are negotiated. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Mother loses bid to look after her child
A mother with severe learning difficulties has lost an appeal to play a part in her daughter's life. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Centrepoint sounds alarm over fate of teenagers as B&B priorities shift
Pressure on councils to move families out of bed and breakfast accommodation has taken attention away from 16 and 17 year olds living in similar.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Work on register 'already under way'
Children's minister Margaret Hodge has confirmed that work on a central register for people working with children is under way. more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Corporation urged to raise its game
The Housing Corporation has "lost its vision" and there is confusion over which agency is responsible for social housing, a new government report.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Bid to force schools to meet needs fails
Attempts to place a legal duty on schools to identify and meet the needs of looked-after children in the Children Bill failed last week - but could.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Government abandons section 55 rule denying support to claimants
The government has announced a climbdown on its policy of denying asylum seekers support unless they make their claim within three days of arriving.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

A qualified success
Nothing better illustrated the populist style of this home secretary than the law introduced to deny asylum seekers support if they were too slow to.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

No room at the inn
It has been a damaging few weeks for the social housing sector, which has finally been called to account for its failure to meet the needs of some of.... more
(01 July 2004 00:00)

Thursday 1 July 2004
Asylum seekers treatment 'very generous' New policy on rape victims aims to 'give greater confidence' more
(01 July 2004 10:20)