by Renuka Jeyarajah-Dent, Director of Operations, Coram
The tragedy of Baby P's death has quite rightly dominated the media for the last week. Newspapers are full of details of his death and images of his bruised face and more recently a photo of him. This has reminded children that they can die before they grow old and that parents who are meant to care for them can hurt them very badly.
Continue reading "The Death of Baby P: what do I tell my children?" »
Ed Balls' announcement that he is going to reform children's trusts in England may be a necessary response to the
tragic death of Baby P, but it is not likely to be sufficient. The evidence in the case seems to point to problems in professional judgement and management decision making and not organisational shape or structures. It is tempting to 'fix' what can easily be 'fixed' and the popular pressure for government to act is clear.
Continue reading "Children's services reform: More command and control?" »
By Peter CorserI get irritated with the old complaint of "the media only notices us when we get things wrong". But I have still been taken aback with the viciousness of
the campaign by The Sun this week.
Continue reading "Baby P campaign: The Sun at its worst" »
by Steve RogowskiThe government's
Every Child Matters agenda has now been undermined by its support for a failed trickle-down free market
Continue reading "What would Marx say?" »
by Helen Bonnick
As the economy worsens, social workers will be busier dealing with rising levels of poverty and debt. Can we cope?As the new term starts, school-based family workers are set to be faced with more debt - and poverty - related work in the months ahead. Although the focus may be on raising levels of attendance and achievement, many issues centre on the family's financial situation. Whether it is an inability to afford a school uniform, a new pair of shoes, dinner money or outing expenses, poverty impacts on a child's readiness to learn in many direct ways.
Continue reading "The trickle down effects of recession: school social workers spot the difference" »
by Helen Bonnick
Strict parenting is seen by many as outdated but have we gone too far in giving children the right to dictate terms at home?
Continue reading "Are we too soft on kids?" »
by Andrew Holman
I spend huge amounts of time reassuring parents with learning difficulties that social workers do not make the decision about child removal. That the decision is made by a court, or exceptionally with the help of the police, but that would only be in extreme circumstances of imminent danger.
Continue reading "Nottingham baby case will only help conspiracy theorists" »
by Clare Tickell, chief executive of NCH
Ed Balls’ vision to make Britain the best place in the world to grow up, is one that I’m delighted to see at the forefront of the Children’s Plan. Finally the emotional wellbeing of children and young people has become a priority for policy makers.
Continue reading "Government must deliver on children's plan vision" »