http://www.communitycare.co.ukEssential information on child protection and child abuse articles from Community Care.en-gbReed Business Information, 2006.Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:41:00 GMT60http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/10/117976/how-security-guards-help-keep-social-workers-safe-on-home-visits.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/10/117976/how-security-guards-help-keep-social-workers-safe-on-home-visits.html One of the most memorable moments in the second episode of BBC Two’s Protecting Our Children programme came less than two minutes in. As Annie Semphill, the Bristol social worker, arrived outside the home of Shaun and Marva, she met with the two security guards who would accompany her on the visit to discuss the couple’s ability to care for their then unborn child. The security guards kept resurfacing too. Semphill’s visits to Shaun, who has a history of unpredictable violence, always had a burly, cross-armed guard close by. The use of security guards raised some eyebrows during Community Care’s live discussion as the documentary was aired with reactions ranging from shock at their use to wishes that their local authority would do the same (see box below). In a blog for Community Care a couple of days later, Semphill expressed surprise at people’s interest in the use of security, explaining that “it did make me feel safe to have two large uniformed men standing behind me as I...Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:41:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/09/117975/social-worker-suspended-for-not-reporting-underage-sex-case.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/09/117975/social-worker-suspended-for-not-reporting-underage-sex-case.htmlA social worker has been suspended for not reporting a case of sexual activity between two children aged under 13, in breach of national child protection guidance. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:25:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/09/117973/family-courts-plans-risk-miscarriages-of-justice.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/09/117973/family-courts-plans-risk-miscarriages-of-justice.htmlSocial workers and children's guardians have condemned "nonsensical" government plans for a six-month limit on care cases, warning the deadline could lead to miscarriages of justice.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:35:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/07/117966/eileen-munro-takes-new-role-at-the-college-of-social-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/02/07/117966/eileen-munro-takes-new-role-at-the-college-of-social-work.htmlProfessor Eileen Munro has been appointed transitional chair of The College of Social Work’s children’s faculty, it was announced today. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:04:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/23/117939/half-of-social-workers-feel-powerless-to-stop-neglect.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/23/117939/half-of-social-workers-feel-powerless-to-stop-neglect.htmlHalf of social workers feel powerless to stop children being neglected because of high thresholds and inadequate resources. (Image: Rex Features)Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:57:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/18/117934/council-pays-1m-damages-for-shocking-child-abuse-failings.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/18/117934/council-pays-1m-damages-for-shocking-child-abuse-failings.htmlEssex council has paid damages of almost £1m to four siblings it failed to protect from years of parental abuse, Community Care has learned. (Pic: posed by model, Nigel R. Barklie/Rex Features)Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/18/117935/councils-face-hidden-army-of-child-abuse-damage-claimants.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/18/117935/councils-face-hidden-army-of-child-abuse-damage-claimants.htmlLocal authorities could be hit by a “hidden army” of people seeking damages for historic child abuse cases, lawyers have warned.Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:48:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/11/117918/cafcass-how-we-screen-200-private-law-cases-a-day.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/11/117918/cafcass-how-we-screen-200-private-law-cases-a-day.htmlOn a typical day, at least 200 private law applications will arrive at Cafcass’ national business centre (NBC) in Coventry. Every application - from a parent or guardian - will be different, but each will represent a child who has experienced family breakdown. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/03/117900/munro-leads-new-year-roll-of-honour-in-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2012/01/03/117900/munro-leads-new-year-roll-of-honour-in-social-care.htmlProfessor Eileen Munro has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours List following her review into child protection, which last year called for sweeping reforms to assessments and performance management. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:37:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/12/15/117888/government-rejects-munro-early-intervention-duty.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/12/15/117888/government-rejects-munro-early-intervention-duty.htmlThe government has refused to implement a key recommendation in the Munro Review of child protection to create an early intervention duty on councils.Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/12/05/117855/government-launches-missing-children-strategy.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/12/05/117855/government-launches-missing-children-strategy.htmlA national strategy to reduce the number of children and vulnerable adults who go missing from home or care has today been published by the Home Office. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:40:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/12/01/117843/ask-the-expert-becoming-a-family-support-worker.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/12/01/117843/ask-the-expert-becoming-a-family-support-worker.htmlI have recently completed a degree in criminology and law, and I want to pursue a career as a family support worker - but lack experience. What's the best way to go about getting to this field? Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:03:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/11/30/117838/catholic-church-details-extent-of-child-abuse-by-priests.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/11/30/117838/catholic-church-details-extent-of-child-abuse-by-priests.htmlThe Catholic Church has published a review of its handling of more than 52 allegations of sexual abuse by priests in the Diocese of Raphoe in Northern Ireland. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:43:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/11/29/117834/use-of-child-protection-volunteers-sees-risk-levels-fall.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/11/29/117834/use-of-child-protection-volunteers-sees-risk-levels-fall.htmlA pilot using volunteers in child protection cases has seen risk levels for children decrease in more than three quarters of cases new research has shown. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:06:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/11/24/117799/council-fined-for-child-protection-botch.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/11/24/117799/council-fined-for-child-protection-botch.htmlA council has been fined more than £12,000 for a flawed child protection investigation, including an attempt to take a girl into care without considering other options and only seeking her mother's agreement after the decision had been taken.Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:00:00 GMT