Welfare Reform on the Web (May 2006): Child Welfare - UK

Becoming criminal: the cultural politics of risk

D. Armstrong

International Journal of Inclusive Education, vol.10, 2006, p.265-278

Although youth crime in the UK is falling, there has been an increase in the number of young people in custody and a proliferation of government initiatives focussed on tracking young people deemed at risk of offending and promoting their inclusion in mainstream society. It is argued that policies which seek to identify people at risk of future criminal behaviour further stigmatise already marginalised groups.

Child poverty: chasing the next target

P. Bivand

Working Brief, issue 173, 2006, p.20-22

Analysis shows that in order to reach its target of reducing child poverty by 50% by 2010 government needs to focus on further increasing employment rates among parents in both lone parent and couple households, especially in London where they are currently very low, and on extending access to good quality affordable childcare which makes paid work a possibility for poor families.

Focus on working with education

G. Carson (editor)

Community Care, Apr. 6th-12th 2006, p.47-52

Presents a discussion of progress in the integration of education and children’s social services, focusing on breaking down professional barriers, the role of school-home support workers, and improvement of the academic performance of looked after children.

Implementing multi-disciplinary teamwork in the new child welfare policy environment

N. Frost and A. Lloyd

Journal of Integrated Care, vol.14, Apr. 2006, p.11-17

This article examines the managerial issues facing multi-disciplinary teams as they address the challenges implicit in the Children Act 2004 and its accompanying guidance. It is argued that implementing the Children Act in order to enable integrated working is a complex process requiring effective leadership and management.

The mental health of looked after children: challenges for CAMHS services

C. McAuley and C. Young

Journal of Social Work Practice, vol. 20, 2006, p.91-103

Article examines issues relating to the vulnerability of looked after children to mental health problems. Recent research has shown that children in care in Great Britain are almost five times more likely to have a mental disorder than children in the general population. Paper goes on to discuss the challenges that this presents to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

The next year is crucial if we are to make poverty history at home

P. Toynbee

Guardian, March 31st 2006, p.3

With under a year until the next comprehensive spending review is finalised Toynbee looks at:

• A Fabian plan for reaching poverty goals
• Whether schools change anything
• The conversion of sceptics to willingness to pay to end poverty
• The slow move of children’s charities to back the End Child Poverty campaign
• The importance of early years intervention to offset later social and economic burdens.

Our children deserve the best so we must be prepared to pay up

P. Toynbee

Guardian, April 7th 2006, p.31

Despite the accomplishments of 800 Sure Start children’s centres, most childcare is delivered in state-subsidised private and voluntary nurseries, often by under-qualified, underpaid staff. Toynbee counsels prioritisation of spending on childcare, and opposes the Childcare Bill’s proposals to continue protecting private operations, arguing for the benefits of state funded nurseries run by graduate professionals.

Reuniting families: is it always the best policy for “looked after” children?

N. Biehal

ChildRight, issue 224, 2006, p.20-21

In the context of recent rises in the number of children “looked after” by local authorities, this article reflects on the question of whether, and in what circumstances, such children should be returned to their families. It summarises evidence on the outcomes of reunion and considers the support offered by local authorities. It concludes that reunion needs to be considered as part of a continuum of services for children that includes family support, use of placement in some circumstances, and social work activity to ensure permanence for those children returned to their families.

Safer contact arrangements? What difference will the Adoption and Children Bill 2005 make?

E. Butler

ChildRight, issue 224, 2006, p.12-16

Within the area of statutory child protection, many women are urged to leave violent partners for the sake of their children. These women are then criticised if they take protective action by refusing to comply with unsafe contact orders. Article calls on the government to introduce clauses into the Adoption and Children Bill 2005 that explicitly require family courts to address domestic violence and to ensure that post separation contact is safe for children who have experienced it.

Small is bountiful

S. McNamee and M. Wilkinson

Community Care, Apr. 6th-12th 2006, p.36-37

The Local Network Fund was launched in May 2001 to provide grants of between £250 and £7,000 to small grassroots organisations in the poorest communities that work with the most needy children and young people. The scheme has benefited thousands of disadvantaged children and their carers.

Why we have signed up to Labour’s anti-poverty target

O. Letwin

Guardian, April 11th 2006, p. 26

The head of party policy looks at the Conservatives’ intention to be at the forefront of debate on social exclusion and their commitment to the 2020 child poverty reduction goal.