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Adoptions continue to decline with children waiting longer to be placed, latest figures show

Community Care

The decline in the number of adoptions since 2015 is continuing while children are waiting longer on average to be placed despite an expanding pool of approved adopters, official figures show. for regional adoption agencies, from 2022-25, sparking renewed calls for investment in the rest of the care system. Related articles.

Adoption 318
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Child in need cases opened up to non-social work staff despite risk concerns

Community Care

Revised guidance on disabled children’s assessments The DfE has also strengthened guidance on the assessment of disabled children and their families after this was backed by two-thirds of respondents. The commission started its review in October 2023.

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The Victoria Climbié Inquiry chair reflects on social work, 21 years on

Community Care

In 2001, the government tasked the former chief inspector of social services with chairing a statutory inquiry into the murder of the eight-year-old Ivorian girl by her great aunt, Marie-Therese Kouao, and Kouao’s boyfriend, Carl Manning the previous year.

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DfE merges schools and children’s social care responsibilities under new minister

Community Care

As with her social care ministerial predecessors, Tolhurst’s brief will also encompass other issues concerning disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and early help. Sign up with them to train as a social worker here: [link]. Kelly Tolhurst MP (@KellyTolhurst) September 27, 2022.

Schools 254
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Postcode lottery in child in need support uncovered by Children’s Commissioner

Community Care

Despite the focus of current government reforms on intervening early to help children stay with their families, they are insufficiently focused on those on child in need (CIN) plans, said the rights watchdog. And though 27.5% of children in need were on a CIN plan as of March 2022 nationally, the rate varied from 3.6% ”

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Social care leaders hailed in New Year Honours

Community Care

Social care leaders from across local and central government and provider bodies have been recognised in the New Year Honours as the sector battles one of the toughest winters in many years.

Adoption 174
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Chapter 1: Understanding the context for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (2015)

The Critical Blog

Click to find out more This chapter provides: an understanding of the framework for the SEND CoP within the context of past legislation and guidance; identification of the current principles underpinning the current CoP; a consideration of definitions and terminology within the field of SEND; a discussion of medical and social models of disability.