Blunkett fails to reverse ruling on asylum benefits
David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, has lost his fight to overturn a High Court judge's ruling against new laws that deny food and accommodation to refugees who don't apply for asylum as soon as they arrive.
The Court of Appeal yesterday ruled that those in six test case had been unfairly treated by the system.
However, it upheld the measure of ending benefit payments to people who don't apply for asylum on arrival.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 19 March page 18
Deaf community wins recognition for sign language
The Government recognised British sign language as an official language yesterday.
The announcement comes after 20 years of campaigning by deaf people's organisations.
The recognition will bring better access to sign language interpreters and to information.
Source:- The Times Wednesday 19 March page 18
Disgraced baby broker hands out surrogacy advice
Agency employs woman criticised by judge for role in 'evil' international trade in babies.
Source:- The Daily Telegraph Wednesday 19 March page 16
Guardian Society
Shunted aside
Social services departments are accused of hijacking funding under the government's new Supporting People regime.
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 2
Compact solution
The Department for Culture Media and Sport has backed down on moves to merge two national lottery grant distributors without consulting the voluntary sector, marking the first victory for the sector's "compact" with government.
There is to be a 12-week consultation period with the sector on the merger of the community fund and the new opportunities fund.
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 4
Harsh draft excluded
Drugs minister Bob Ainsworth, has shelved government guidance which could have resulted in social care managers working with recovering drug addicts being prosecuted for allowing drug abuse on the premises.
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 4
Fair fighter
The radical campaigner Ed Mayo has been appointed as chief executive of the National Consumer Council (NCC).
He is set to put the rights of poor households at the centre of the policy agenda.
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 4
Pride of place
A decade after being rocked by IRA bombs, Warrington town centre has been revitalised - with the help of public art.
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 5
Voice squad
Maggie Brown on a report out today that says it's time to sit up and listen to community radio.
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 6
A fair chance - Lottery funding
How come some places are big hitters with bids, but other struggle to get off the mark?
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 10
The price of bad planning - Lottery funding
Confidential notes reveal a catalogue of weak applications
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 11
Free thinkers
John Carvel reports on why, despite devils in the detail, foundation status for hospitals can still break Whitehall shackles
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 13
Sound and fury
Profile: Paddy Ladd, pioneer and activist, taking 'deaf culture' to a wider audience
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 14
Vote of low confidence
Social workers trail behind in survey on role importance
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 119
Second city choice
Change of mind over Birmingham's top social care job
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 119
Without walls
Paul Dinsdale on a collaborative scheme that unblocks hospital beds and provides a high standard of home care
Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 19 March page 120
Scottish newspapers
Dunblane families demand release of further 100 files
Families of the victims of the Dunblane massacre last night called for further evidence relating to mass murderer Thomas Hamilton to be made public after it emerged that more than 100 documents relating to the death would remain secret.
The demands came as Scotland’s Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, released only four police reports on Hamilton in the wake of criticisms against the Crown Office for allowing 110 documents on the case to be kept from public view for 100 years.
Source: The Scotsman Wednesday 19th March page 4
Adoptions plunge to 20-year low
Hundreds of Scottish children are being left without permanent families as the number of applications to adopt plunged to the lowest point for at least 20 years.
One Scottish social worker is reported as saying he had to place children as far away as Hull because no-one in Scotland was willing to look after them.
Source: The Herald Wednesday 19th March page 11
Welsh newspapers
Estate to have activity centre
A new 250,000 community centre is to be built on a troubled housing estate in south Wales.
Residents of the Bettws estate in Newport have met with police to discuss the problem of anti-social behaviour on the estate and have complained that they are effectively kept under a curfew. Many residents say they are frightened to venture out of their homes at night as a result of yobbish behavior.
The new project will provide facilities for a range of activities for people living in the area.
Source: South Wales Argus Tuesday March 18 page 6
Backing for couple told they can’t offer respite care to teenagers
A couple with a range of qualifications have been told that they cannot offer respite care to teenagers with learning difficulties.
Alan Hill holds two degrees and three postgraduate diplomas while his wife Fiona is a respected head of a mental health charity branch.
But their plans to open a three-bed respite facility have been shattered because they do not have an NVQ Level 4 in care management as required by the Care Standards Act.
Alan Hill who currently teaches 11 to 13-year-ols with severe behavioral difficulties said that he had become increasingly disillusioned by the cutbacks in services and he had planned to set up a facility to cater for what he considered to be an urgent need.
Source Western Mail Wednesday 19 march page 3
High prices, poor transport and scant work – the reality of rural life
Many rural families are facing a bleak future as they struggle with poverty in Wales.
And two Welsh charities, Barnardo’s and NCH Cymru are calling for a radical rethink of policies to address the problem.
More than half the households in rural Wales have an income of less than £10,000 and unemployment levels are significantly higher than in urban areas.
The charities want to see a minimum income for people in rural areas to take into account the increased cost of basic living and better access to leisure and youth facilities.
Source Western Mail Wednesday 19 March page 7
