Top Stories
- Measures announced in the government’s response to the Care Review fall far short of the “radical reset” of children’s social care called for in chair Josh McAlister’s final report, according to the Labour Party – cypnow.co.uk/news/article/care-review-response-labour-slams-piecemeal-measures-for-reform
- A joint letter has been signed by charities, trade unions and political groups calling for the process of the National Care Service to be halted – https://tfn.scot/news/charities-among-voices-calling-for-pause-of-national-care-service
- CNN highlight the story about the children orphaned by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria and how they are facing an ‘uncertain future’ – https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/12/world/children-orphaned-earthquake-intl/index.html
Here’s your news from across the UK:
- On 2 February 2023, the Department for Education issued its response to the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care – communitycare.co.uk/2023/02/07/dfe-care-review-response-key-points/
- The Daily Record has written about The Promise and its spending on PR agencies – dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/taxpayer-funded-firm-set-up-29193199
- Kezia Dugdale comments on whether The Scottish Government is keeping The Promise three years after its publication – thetimes.co.uk/article/has-sturgeon-kept-her-promise-in-short-no-22zkvgctq
- Opinions about England’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and the UK government’s lack of response – theguardian.com/society/2023/feb/08/will-the-macalister-review-improve-the-lives-of-children-in-care
- The UK government has pledged action to tackle “excessive” workload pressures on social workers as part of its response to the care review – www.communitycare.co.uk/2023/02/10/dfe-pledges-action-on-excessive-workload-pressures-for-childrens-social-workers/
- Moray Council is hosting different events to celebrate Care Day – www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news/moray-council-gear-up-to-celebrate-care-day-302490/
- East Lothian Council has launched a new campaign to recruit new foster carers – www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/23314270.campaign-county-foster-carers-be-part-childrens-journey/
- A Labour frontbencher told Westminister that children’s social care providers are making ‘obscene profits’ – www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/children-darlington-government-labour-sure-start-b2278481.html
- The Fostering Network has shared its reflections on Northern Ireland’s Children’s Commissioner’s report about Care Experienced people – www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/media-release/2023/failed-child-reflections-northern-ireland-childrens-commissioner-new-report
- A study of court applications that seek to deprive children of their liberty in England and Wales has highlighted the “extreme vulnerability” of the children involved – www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/child-protection/392-children-protection-news/52952-study-highlights-extreme-vulnerability-of-children-subject-to-deprivation-of-liberty-applications-amid-concerns-at-lack-of-appropriate-provision
- A couple in South Lanarkshire share their experiences as foster parents for Barnardo’s and urge others to consider becoming foster parents – heraldscotland.com/news/23302341.scots-couple-describe-joy-fostering-children/
- Three sisters in Northern Ireland talk about the joy they experienced fostering over 50 children over the last 15 years – https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/family/meet-the-sisters-who-opened-their-hearts-to-50-foster-children/2027476100.html
- A Care Experienced person from Harrow has blasted the local NHS Trust for its “horrific” mental health service and called for the council to stop sending children there – mylondon.news/news/north-london-news/harrow-ex-foster-child-blasts-26169489
- Bags Full of Love, a charity supporting children going into foster care by giving them a bag of home comforts, secured £8,130 to make up backpacks with new essential items and clothing for children and young people – clydebankpost.co.uk/news/23308756.national-lottery-three-local-groups-win-funding-boost/
- Opposition parties, trade unions, local authority leaders and SNP trade unionists are calling for the Scottish Government to scrap the £1.2billion social care reforms – scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/humiliation-nicola-sturgeon-snp-group-29169423
- Wiltshire Council has shared that Care Experienced people will be given priority for social housing until they are aged 25 – bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-64530922
- England’s Children’s Commissioner writes about the effects of being in care and mental health to mark Children’s Mental Health Week – childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/2023/02/09/childrens-mental-health-week-a-focus-on-children-in-care-and-care-leavers/
- Angus Council talks about their Promise Hangout asked for by Care Experienced young people – angus.gov.uk/news/keepthepromise
- A Care Experienced women has shared her journey to becoming a law student with the BBC- bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-64582507
- Community Care claims that child sexual abuse remains hidden while there is still an increase in recorded cases. CW: Child abuse – communitycare.co.uk/2023/02/09/child-sexual-abuse-remains-very-hidden-despite-increase-in-recorded-cases-warns-expert-centre/
- Alloa and Clackmannanshire are recruiting for more foster carers – alloaadvertiser.com/news/23311637.appeal-foster-carers-across-clackmannanshire/
Here’s your news from around the world:
- CNN highlight the story about the children orphaned by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria and how they are facing an ‘uncertain future’ – https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/12/world/children-orphaned-earthquake-intl/index.html
- Earth, Wind and Fire lead singer, Philip Bailey, has spoken about why he started a non-profit to help foster children in America – https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/inside-the-issues/2023/02/10/why-earth–wind—fire-s-philip-bailey-created-a-nonprofit-to-help-foster-kids
- The BBC has written about the need for higher awareness on Namibia’s Baby Abandonment law 2 years on from it being introduced – www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-64451313
- UNICEF China has been working with the Government at national and local levels to mobilize COVID-19 emergency support for the most vulnerable children and families in rural areas – https://reliefweb.int/report/china/unicef-supplies-us5-million-worth-hospital-equipment-and-hygiene-kits-support-chinas-response-covid-19-outbreak
- Twin brothers are walking all the states in America to raise awareness of the foster care system – youtube.com/watch?v=Ulu79_bwA4s
- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, a mental health industry watchdog, says potential abuse of foster care children is a national concern because nationwide one in four children in foster care is administered at least one psychotropic drug – einnews.com/pr_news/615083962/chemical-restraint-use-in-foster-care-children-comes-under-scrutiny
- Montana is one of a handful U.S. states — along with Wyoming, Utah and North Dakota — considering legislation this year to protect Native American children by including provisions of the U.S. Indian Child Welfare Act in state law – washingtonpost.com/national/states-push-to-enshrine-protections-for-tribal-children/2023/02/07/d079ad7e-a725-11ed-b2a3-edb05ee0e313_story.html
- Kansas lawmakers are rethinking whether relatives should get priority in adoption custody battles – kcur.org/news/2023-02-08/should-relatives-get-priority-in-adoption-disputes-in-kansas-they-do-but-that-could-change
- A mother in Detroit has died giving birth to her 12th child. Her sisters have vowed to look after the family – https://eu.hometownlife.com/story/news/2023/02/09/detroit-mom-dies-after-childbirth-her-sisters-vow-to-care-of-her-kids/69820053007/
