by Neil BatemanThe welfare reform green paper (published on 21 July) contains yet more proposals for toughening up the benefits system. It seems there is no turning back when it comes to these ideas that Tebbitt, Lilley and Co only dreamed of and now being wafted through by Brown, Purnell Associates.
Continue reading "Welfare reform green paper: threats and punishment won't work" »
Continue reading "NCH Hackney Family Intensive Project and the Youth Crime Action Plan" »
By Steve Arthington
Amid talk of choice and freedom, service users must remember they also gain more responsibility under personalised services
Continue reading "Direct payments, personalisation... who now cares for whom?" »
by Mike Wardle Continue reading "Practice placements are the key; not separate social work degrees" »
by Nigel Leaney
For
a number of years I've been a non-car user. My main modes of transport are my
push bike and the occasional over-priced train. I guess I'm lucky that I'm able
to make a choice.
by Helen Waddell
Because of the disabling symptoms of schizoaffective
disorder I am unable to work, and obtain an income by claiming incapacity
benefit. I feel relieved that I will not be subject to the criteria under which
new claimants for its replacement - the employment and support allowance - will
be assessed.
Continue reading "Mental health, work, and new incapacity benefit rules" »
By Simon StevensContinue reading "Information is power in the personalisation age" »
By Penelope Gibbs, Prison Reform Trust
He who pays the piper calls the tune. Or at least has greater influence over the tune. If local authorities paid for child custody, they would surely gain more control over where children are placed and the quality of regimes. And have a greater incentive to stop children being imprisoned. The government's new Youth Crime Action Plan has flirted with the idea of delegating the custody budget but not championed it. It proposes making the costs of custody more visible to inform debate "on whether, in the long term, local authorities should be responsible for the placement and funding of custodial placements".
Continue reading "Youth Action Plan should have gone further" »
by Allan Norman by Allan NormanSome will know this tube station lies on the Northern Line between Euston and Camden Town, but only if playing by the 'Charing Cross Branch' Rules. More of you will have heard of the Radio 4 panel show game, played by other rules. The game is one of great skill and strategy, but the rules are, let's face it, obscure.
Having heard argument from Slough on 9th and 10th June, on social work's duties to destitute and ill failed asylum seekers, the House of Lords is due to play 'Destitution at Mornington Crescent' in the next few days. They have yet to announce which Rules they will play by, but in anticipation I thought I would remind you of the key moves in the game so far: