A daily summary of social care stories from the main newspapers

By Clare Jerrom and Reg McKay.

Sarah Payne trial judge lifts pictures ban

The first pictures of the man accused of murdering Sarah Payne
have been published with permission from a judge yesterday.

Mr Justice Curtis gave permission for four images of Roy Whiting
to be released on the third day of his trial at Lewes crown court
after evidence relating to his identification was concluded.

During yesterday’s hearing the jury was told details of
the discovery of Sarah’s body and why she may have been
murdered. In addition, it heard how there were sightings of a white
van near the cornfield where Sarah was last seen alive.

Whiting denies kidnapping and murder.

The trial continues.

Source:- The Guardian Wednesday 21 November page 10

Girl, 13, bullied over height died after drug
overdose

A 13–year-old girl who was bullied for being six feet tall
took her own life, according to her mother.

Morgan Musson had left Ellis Guilford School near Nottingham,
but killed herself by swallowing painkillers after falling out with
a friend there, and claiming she was being picked on by a
teacher.

Musson allegedly suffered seven months of taunts from a gang of
girls and police are investigating these claims. The girl’s
mother Debra Savage said the bullying had left her daughter
emotionally vulnerable, and unable to cope when she had an argument
with a friend.

She said: “I blame the school and bullies for my beautiful
daughter’s death.”

Source:- The Times Wednesday 21 November page 3

Rebuke for police chief who made light of
Ecstasy

The senior police officer responsible for piloting a new soft
approach to cannabis was reprimanded yesterday after he said it was
a waste of police resources to pursue Ecstasy users in clubs.

Commander Brian Paddick, who is in charge of the Lambeth
division in south London, was spoken to by Metropolitan Police
Commissioner Sir John Stevens after he told MPs that arresting
recreational drug users was low on his list of police priorities.
Paddick’s comments caused alarm at Scotland Yard, and they
were forced to issue a statement saying he had been rebuked.

It will however cast doubts over his career. He is piloting a
scheme in Lambeth where cannabis users are warned, and the drug
confiscated rather than the users being taken to court. Scotland
Yard is already planning to send a special squad in because of
concern over poor crime fighting record of Paddick’s
officers.

Source:- The Times Wednesday 21 November page 4

Twelve arrested at café run by cannabis
campaigner

A prominent pro-cannabis campaigner was arrested at a Dutch
style café yesterday along with 12 others when police raided
the scene.

Colin Davies, who owns the Dutch Experience in Stockport,
Greater Manchester, was later charged.

More than a dozen police officers entered the café while
Davies and some of his customers were being interviewed by a BBC
television crew.

The raid came on the day Davies, who supports the use of
cannabis for medical purposes, was due to answer police bail in
connection with his arrest at the café in September.

Greater Manchester Police said 11 men and a woman had been
arrested. Two people were charged with being involved in the
management of premises being used for the misuse of a controlled
drug, and one was charged with possession of a controlled drug with
intent to supply.

Nine others were charged with possession of a controlled
drug.

Source:- Daily Telegraph Wednesday 21 November

Guardian Society

Charity academy call

Learning centre could help volunteers deliver better
services

Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 21 November page
4

Arresting idea

Detainees in a London police station are receiving 24-hour care
by nurses to help prevent deaths in custody.

Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 21 November page
5

Getting a life

Matthew Brown on how one council solved its staff turnover
problem by giving workers control over their hours.

Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 21 November page
12

Single service

Under Kent’s pioneering scheme, people needing specialist
help are receiving one-to-one care.

Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 21 November page
120-119

Mental health cash safe

Campaigners split over government’s
‘ringfencing’ policy

Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 21 November page
119

Bring in the parents

Support services told of benefits in being more open

Source:- Guardian Society Wednesday 21 November page
119

Scottish newspapers

Father wins landmark childcare case

An East Lothian father, Neil Walkinshaw, has established
employment rights for all working fathers in winning a landmark sex
discrimination case against his former employers.

Walkinshaw was refused to reduce his hours to part-time or job
share to care for his baby son in spite of his employer, John
Martin Group, agreeing to similar arrangements for female
staff.

An employment tribunal found that Walkinshaw had been sexually
discriminated against and awarded him £3,600 compensation. The
landmark ruling is expected to benefit all other working fathers
who request a reduced working week to care for their children.

Source: The Herald Wednesday 21 November page 9

First national care standards

The first national care standards for older people in
residential or nursing care were introduced yesterday by the
Scottish executive. Among the main changes is the scrapping of the
distinction between residential and nursing home care and deadlines
by which each unit will be obliged to offer every resident a single
room.

Launching the new care standards, the first in Scotland, Susan
Deacon, health minister, said that 34,000 older people in Scotland
would benefit immediately.

Source: The Herald Wednesday 21 November page 12