Chief inspector Anne Owers criticises rush to build jails

By Maria Ahmed on January 30, 2008 in Community Care

Chief inspector Anne Owers criticises rush to build jails

The government’s “scramble to build new prisons” threatens to move the UK towards a system of “large-scale penal containment”, which would mean worse as well as more jails, the chief inspector of prisons warns today.

Councils ration home care for older people

Increasing numbers of frail or infirm elderly people are struggling to cope after being unfairly denied social care as councils ration help, the care inspectorate revealed today.

Doctors’ leader issues warning over NHS reform plans

The leader of England’s family doctors has said that patients will suffer if the government pushes ahead with plans to force GPs to work antisocial hours.

Study launched into whether better diet reduces prison violence

A three-year trial in UK prisons is to be launched to establish whether improvements in the diets of inmates can cut violence and antisocial behaviour.

Caught, on camera, UK’s housing crisis

Unable to afford to buy a property or rent decent accommodation, the Jacksons face an indefinite wait, in appalling living conditions, for social housing. Peter Hetherington on a film depicting today’s homes crisis

Can focus on self-reliance turn around at-risk black youth?

Liberal approaches to the “crisis in black youth” have failed, says maverick charity boss Ray Lewis. But can his focus on discipline and self-reliance work?

Happiness is people being young or old, but middle age is misery

People are most likely to become depressed in middle age, according to a worldwide study of happiness. The team of economists leading the work found that we are happiest towards the beginning and end of our lives, leaving us most miserable in middle years between 40 and 50.

Laming reforms led to ditching of tested systems

Lord Laming’s report into the murder of Victoria Climbié, published five years ago, was meant to herald a new era in child protection. But, says Liz Davies, his reform plan has led to many tried and tested systems being ditched

Kids Company: I was homeless and desperate, but Camila saved me

The charity Kids Company gave Esme Bell the chance of a new life after she had suffered years of childhood abuse

UK’s £350m maternity bill for foreign mothers

Britain pays £350m a year to provide maternity services to mothers born outside the country, according to a BBC analysis.

Teachers told not to assume pupils have heterosexual parents

Teachers should not assume that their pupils have a “mum and dad” under guidance aimed at tackling anti-gay bullying in schools.