Articles by Date : December 01 2004 - December 31 2004

Let the Learning Begin
How can social workers get a head start on their personal development after registration? Mike Wardle reveals all. more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Labelled and Locked Away
A man with learning difficulties needs help to face a future in the community after being wrongly described as an arsonist . more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Legal duty on service providers may leave them open to judicial review
Strategic health authorities and primary care trusts may be subject to judicial reviews if they fail to provide adequate services for children and.... more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

History Lessons
Europe's only social work museum has for 30 years stimulating and educating visitors. But this month it will close its doors for the final time. .... more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Saved by my Earplugs
Labelled a depressive, Marietta Matthews left hospital only to find life in a council flat less than ideal... more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Dispatches: Profiting From Kids in Care
There is big money to be made in keeping children in private care homes, writes Graham Hopkins. more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

The Children Act Obstacle Course
Front-line staff have a vital role to play in ensuring that the new Children Act succeeds, writes Hilton Dawson. more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Employer Profile: Wigan Council
Flexible working can be a boon for recruitment, morale and performance. Roisin Woolnough reports more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Unrealistic Vision
For the Children Act to be effective all we need is an army of super-bright motivators brimming with energy and passion. But there are too few of.... more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Power Sharing
Education and social services talk a lot about involving young people in services but do little to challenge power inequalities. Kristyn Wise looks.... more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Muslim frustration has to be addressed
The UK's new equality commission must devote energy to improving the lot of Muslims, writes Yvonne Roberts. more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Transfer Traumas
Tax credit problems continue to rumble on and many social work service users are likely to suffer as a result. more
(09 December 2004 00:00)

Wheelchair user wins landmark case against airline
Disabled travellers won a major victory at the appeal court this week when judges said budget airline Ryanair and Stansted airport must provide a.... more
(23 December 2004 16:55)

Father wins test case for child-care benefits
Campaigners Fathers Direct has welcomed a landmark case that saw an unemployed father win his seven-year fight to become eligible for child-care.... more
(23 December 2004 17:05)

Government orders crackdown on door to door lenders
Door to door lenders who prey on vulnerable people in need of a quick source of cash are to be investigated by the Competition Commission, writes.... more
(22 December 2004 17:33)

Children death cases to be reviewed
Just one in 10 cases of parents convicted of killing their children will be reopened, following a review triggered by the Cannings judgement, .... more
(22 December 2004 17:10)

Wednesday 22 December 2004
Disabled man wins wheelchair appeal Private schools should spend tax breaks on poorer pupils more
(22 December 2004 10:46)

Prison officers at Feltham viewed inmates as "animals"
Prison officers at Feltham Young Offender Institution acted like they were working in a “pig sty with inmates viewed like animals,” a senior prison.... more
(21 December 2004 15:57)

Police official criticises plans for children's database
A senior policeman has criticised plans to create a children’s database that can be used by all agencies as a “mythical” concept, writes Sally.... more
(21 December 2004 11:09)

Child prisoners given right to argue against solitary confinement
Children in prison will be given the right to argue against being placed in solitary confinement as a result of a judgement today, writes Clare.... more
(21 December 2004 12:11)

£30 million funding for intensive psychiatric units announced
Funding of £30 million for psychiatric intensive care units has been announced by health minister Rosie Winterton today, writes Clare Jerrom . more
(20 December 2004 15:43)

Tuesday 21 December 2004
Gap in mental health services grows Feltham YOI was "a pigsty" more
(21 December 2004 09:55)

Apprenticeship scheme for 14 year olds extended
The government has announced another 2000 young apprenticeship places for 14 year olds from next September, with a further expansion expected. more
(21 December 2004 10:12)

Reform of secrecy rules in family proceedings
Proposals to relax the rules about disclosure in family court proceedings have been published by the government. more
(21 December 2004 10:13)

Lone parent employment “can harm children”
Trying to push lone parents into work by making it more difficult for them to claim benefits will only benefit children if parents can get decent.... more
(21 December 2004 10:14)

Blunkett resigns as Home Secretary
David Blunkett last night resigned from his post as Home Secretary after an inquiry found his office was involved in “fast-tracking” his ex lover’s.... more
(16 December 2004 10:22)

Increase in the level of NHS funded nursing care announced
Stephen Ladyman has announced that care home residents will benefit from an increase in the level of NHS funded nursing care, writes Clare Jerrom . more
(20 December 2004 11:25)

Special report: Schools "lose track" of 10,000 pupils
Schools and local education authorities have lost track of around 10,000 pupils who have been suspended, excluded or failed to show up at all, the.... more
(17 December 2004 16:07)

Monday 20th December 2004
Millions face cut in winter fuel payout Maxine Carr seeks lifelong anonymity more
(20 December 2004 09:44)

Prisons to introduce alcohol testing
Alcohol testing is set to be introduced in prisons to deter its supply and use, the Prison Service has announced, writes Craig Kenny . more
(17 December 2004 16:45)

A radical rethink
Reorganising the UK's largest charity for people with serious mental illness is a huge task. Fortunately, Chris Whittaker had some vital experience.... more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

Boost for work-based learning in the North East
Topss North East, social work's key training body, is expanding its new learning resource centre networks for social workers and students. more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

Changing roles
Practitioners looking to keep moving need to keep up with new roles, writes Vic Citarella. more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

So what do you know?
Think you know your Bills from your White Papers, your YOTs from your YIPs? Test your knowledge of events in social care this year, and refresh your.... more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

Elixir of life
A retirement village in Staffordshire is benefiting its residents by creating a positive ageing environment. Yet challenges remain, says Miriam.... more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

Didn't they do well?
Many of the great and the good Britons of the last century have made it into the pages of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Terry Philpot.... more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

It's payback time
Charities are demanding more secure and longer-term funding from councils and government for the services they provide. William Little asks whether.... more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

New qualification designed for residential child care managers
Managers in residential child care can now gain a nationally recognised City & Guilds management qualification tailored for the sector, writes David.... more
(16 December 2004 00:00)

Friday 17 December 2004
Two Irish priests defrocked Tinsel banned from Christmas party more
(17 December 2004 09:57)

Offenders at Feltham YOI subjected to "poor treatment" at time of Mubarek murder
Prison officers at Feltham Young Offender Institution failed to perform basic duties including ensuring inmates were fed, at the time of Zahid.... more
(17 December 2004 09:15)

Eligibility criteria for fully funded NHS continuing care needed
The health ombudsman has called for national eligibility criteria for fully-funded NHS continuing care, to end a postcode lottery for people with.... more
(16 December 2004 17:26)

CPA reveals that councils are improving
A council with a two-star social services department has been rated as poor under the Audit Commission’s comprehensive performance assessment for the.... more
(16 December 2004 16:49)

Thursday 16 December 2004
Blunkett resigns Councils are perfomring better more
(16 December 2004 10:03)

Wednesday 15 December 2004
Girls worse than boys at binge drinking Court rejects mother's court appeal more
(15 December 2004 10:04)

Debate on internet adoption
We asked:- Is the internet a suitable medium through which prospective adopters should view children? more
(14 December 2004 12:36)

Scottish single correctional agency plan scrapped
The Scottish executive has scrapped its controversial plans for a single correction service, but still wants the Prison Service, police and social.... more
(14 December 2004 12:22)

29 children killed by fathers in contact and residence arrangements
Almost 30 children have been killed by their fathers in the past decade as a result of child contact and residence arrangements in England and Wales,.... more
(13 December 2004 13:48)

Rejected asylum seekers to carry out community work
The government this week started to implement its policy of making people whose asylum claims have failed and who are unable to return home carry out.... more
(14 December 2004 11:13)

Prisons failing in their duty of care
Vulnerable offenders are dying in custody because prison authorities are failing in their duty of care under human rights legislation, a report.... more
(14 December 2004 11:20)

Children in Northern Ireland 'at risk' by service cuts
Children in Northern Ireland will be put at risk because of cuts to services outlined in the government’s draft budget, the Northern Ireland.... more
(14 December 2004 11:06)