Articles by Date : September 01 2003 - September 30 2003

Analysis: Government defies protests in bid to uphold section 55 of Asylum Act
Despite concern that new asylum laws run counter to policies on homelessness and contravene human rights, the government is pushing ahead. Clare.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

McTernan on politics
As the Iraq dossier frenzy subsides get ready for the good news on the health service. more
(04 September 2003 14:13)

Rhondda unit to test green paper ideas
A Welsh council's plans to set up a multi-agency child protection unit looks set to test out some of the ideas expected to appear in the children's.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Heatwave deaths prompt call for summer weather risk programmes
The number of deaths during the summer heatwave has been a "wake-up call" for social services departments, directors admitted this week. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Walsall services on the up, says report
Improvements in social services are helping to turn around poorly performing Walsall Council. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

'Special medical care is satisfactory'
Two-thirds of local education authorities offer pupils with special medical needs satisfactory provision, says a report from the Office for Standards.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Scottish executive to review services
A review of treatment and rehabilitation programmes has been started by the Scottish executive in a bid to tackle the country's growing drugs.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Report sets out options for rescuing sector from crippling insurance costs
The government should consider setting up its own insurance scheme to help small voluntary organisations facing huge increases in insurance premiums,.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

School must accept wheelchair user
A disabled teenager will begin his sixth-form studies next week after winning a landmark injunction against a college that had refused to admit him.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Shelter slams poor quality of statistics
Poor and incomplete recording of homelessness figures could have serious planning implications for councils and the government, warns a report by the.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Support for victims of trafficking urged
Social services departments should play a more prominent role in dealing with the victims of human trafficking, say Green Party members of the London.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Treatment myths deterring addicts
Myths about treatments for drug addiction are preventing heroin and crack cocaine addicts from seeking help, a new report suggests. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Staff say unsuitable care packages 'forced' on Lancashire service users
Lancashire social workers are being forced to recommend unsuitable care packages because the council's commissioning strategy is inadequate, a.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Blunkett toughens stance on criminals
The Home Office this week extended the list of offences that would result in refugees or asylum seekers being removed from the UK. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Operation Ore wins marginal support
Opinion is evenly divided on whether Operation Ore has lost credibility following the collapse of several high-profile cases. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Agencies call for national approach
A coalition of children's charities and local government groups has called on the government to collaborate on the creation of national standards and.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Question mark over integration of senior posts as Ross quits health role
The country's first joint social services director and primary care trust chief executive role has been "dismantled" after a disagreement over.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Study backs launch of 'granny creches'
Companies should set up "granny creches" where their workers can leave their older relatives while they go to work, according to an influential.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Deprivation index may be broadened
In deciding whether an area should be classified as deprived the government should consider the number of children in the area who are on the child.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

'Meet the victim' scheme is launched
Glasgow Council last week launched the first restorative justice scheme in Scotland designed to tackle youth crime. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Councils fear costs hike after ruling
The Association of Directors of Social Services is to write to the government expressing concern after last week's High Court ruling that councils.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Buy bonds to build houses, survey says
Almost seven out of 10 people would invest in bonds that were used to buy houses for people with learning difficulties, according to a new survey. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

High court rules right
The High Court has ruled that unaccompanied asylum-seeking children living in this country are covered by the Leaving Care Act 2000 as are all other.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Acute problems of trust
The breakdown in relations between Barking and Dagenham Council and the local primary care trust will cause concern further afield than east London. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Tools that dig deeper
New methods of assessing families are going beyond surface appearances to identify their real strengths and weaknesses, writes Cheshire Council's.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

It's a dog's life for providers
Councils' obsession with savings when putting services out to competitive tender is proving highly expensive, and detrimental to service providers'.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Why do so many men end it all?
More men than women commit suicide and often in violent circumstances. Anabel Unity Sale looks at the reasons for this anomaly and whether.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Northern Ireland staff escalate action
Social workers in Northern Ireland are stepping up their industrial action this week in a bid to secure a pay increase. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Government on target for cutting applications but appeals rise
Asylum applications to the UK have fallen by a third in the second quarter of this year. However, the number of appeals has risen by nearly 25 per.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Tenants need help with money advice
A new report from the Chartered Institute of Housing calls on social landlords to take a greater role in raising financial awareness among tenants. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Death by bad habits
The high suicide rate among men in the UK has often been linked to economic change and the end of "jobs for life", but there are other, simpler,.... more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Vital step toward better services
The children's green paper will deal with massive issues; of course it took a long time to prepare, says Caroline Abrahams. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Independence charade
Cuts in valued services under the guise of promoting independence have angered Julie Graysmark. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

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

Fifties school series rings bells in reality
A reality TV show has managed to stimulate the debate over the direction of education policy. more
(04 September 2003 00:00)

Social services staff numbers in Scotland and Wales
Staff working in Scottish councils increased by 1.9 per cent in the year to June 2002. more
(02 September 2003 17:57)

Thursday 4 September 2003
New programme to tackle school bullies. Magistrates fight to save family courts. more
(04 September 2003 09:56)

Workforce development at early stage, says report
Social care training body Topss has released a new report on workforce planning. The Report on the Social Work Workforce for Topss England published.... more
(02 September 2003 17:54)

Green paper on children due to be published
The government’s long awaited children’s green paper is to be published in September. more
(02 September 2003 17:49)

New mentoring scheme for lone parents launched
The Scottish Executive has announced a new campaign for lone parents to help them access education, training, employment and childcare, writes.... more
(03 September 2003 11:30)

Wednesday 3 September 2003
16 per cent fall in claims for asylum in EU Doctor's sex abuse questions criticised. more
(03 September 2003 10:03)

Argument over dismissal led to break up of pioneering role
The country’s first joint social services director and primary care trust executive role has been “dismantled” after a disagreement over whether the.... more
(03 September 2003 00:00)

Care in the Capital Week, 15-19 September 2003
Following the success of last year’s campaign, this year’s Care in the Capital focus is on retention. more
(02 September 2003 18:04)

How to recruit staff
Dip into your recruitment and selection box and do you pull out a treat or something bitter? It’s a tough job filling a job. Here, Des Kelly and John.... more
(02 September 2003 18:00)

Scheme failing to help disabled people at work
The government’s Access to Work scheme is failing to meet the needs of disabled people, new research has revealed. more
(02 September 2003 17:42)

More pay for toughest jobs
The government is considering encouraging local authorities to pay social workers taking on the toughest cases more in an effort to tackle the.... more
(02 September 2003 17:39)

Charity calls on government to help children suffering under poverty trap
Children whose parents move in and out of work are worse off than those whose families stay on benefits, according to a new report. more
(02 September 2003 17:14)

Do registers serve any purpose in social care?
The child protection register may be abolished under the government's anticipated green paper on children. But ministers are planning to introduce a.... more
(02 September 2003 16:26)

Tuesday 2 September 2003
Stay-home mother 'forgotten' by government. Boy of 11 treated like a slave and tortured. more
(02 September 2003 09:59)

Challenge to LEAs of rise in pupils with mental illness
One of the key challenges facing almost all local education authorities (LEAs) is the increase in the number of pupils with mental health.... more
(01 September 2003 18:37)