Looked after children

Groves, J. (2010). No place like home: improving adoption services in England. Policy Exchange. Groves examines the true comparative costs of local autorities using Voluntary Adoption Agencies or local authority services and urges greater cooperation and planning between local authorities and voluntary agencies.
Walker, J. et al. (2010). Care matters: budget holding lead professionals (BHLPs) with looked after chidlren in England. Department for Children, Schools and Families. A multi-disciplinary team from Newcastle university evaluates budget holding pilots with looked after children.

British Journal of Social Work

The latest issue of the British Journal of Social Work, April 2010 Volume 40, no. 3 is now available on line via the library catalogue. This months articles include:
Selwyn, J. (2010). The views of young people on being cared for by an independent foster-care provider.
Parker, J. (2010). When things go wrong! Placement disruption and termination: power and student perspectives.
Glavani, S. (2010). Working with alcohol and drug use: exploring the knowledge and attitudes of social work students.

Anti-social behaviour

Policy Exchange have published A State of Disorder: moving beyond the ASBO in tackling anti-social behaviour. The report critical of government policy on anti-social behaviour, ASBOs and the lack of state research on their efficacy. Author Max Chambers urges the use of evidence based approaches and proven interventions such as early intervention and Family Intervention Projects.

Court Appearances

This weeks Community Care (15 April 2010, pp. 16-17) gives advice for social workers inexperienced in giving evidence in court. find it at Jordanhill Serials 362.

New publications form the Department for children, Schools and Families

Farmer, E. & Lutman, E. (2010). Case management and outcomes for neglected children returned to their parents: a five-year follow up study. Department for children, Scools and Families research Brief 214. Key findings of this study include that there is a tendency over a long period of time of intervention for abuse and neglect to be minimised in reporting leading to insufficient action to protect children; that outcomes were much better for younger children, for whom intervention tends to be more proactive, and that in two fifths of cases children were not adequately safeguarded, often because of over-optimistic views of the possibility of parental change.
Carpenter, J. et al (2010). Outcomes of inter-agency training to safeguard children: final report to the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health. This study examines the evidence base for inter-agency training and. assesses the efficacy of training in safeguarding children.

Department for Children, Schools and Families (2010). Parenting and Family Support: guidance for local authorities in England. Non-statutory guidance for service commsioners, managers and decsion makers.
Langer, S. et al (2010). A report on themes emerging from qualitative research into the impact of short break provision on families with disabled children. DCSF research report conducted by the Centre for Disability research, Lancaster University.
Robertson, J. et al (2010). The impacts of short break provision on disabled children and families: an international literature review. DCFS Research report 222

Funding for care

March saw the publication of the govenment white paper "Building the national care service" and a great deal of public debate about the future funding of social care, particularily elderly care.
See also two Viewpoint documents published by the Joseph Rowntree foundation:
Hirsch, D. & Spiers, P. (2010). Funding care: how can each generation pay it's fare share?
Beresford, P. (2010). Funding social care: what service users say?

Supporting young people

A Scottish Government funded scheme designed to tackle offending behaviour of young people is being piloted in Aberdeen and will be rolled out further, beginning in the Central Belt. Under the schemeYoung people up to the age of 18 are screened by a multi-agency group within a week of being apprehended and referred directly to support services. See Herald, April 5, 2010.

Department for children, Schools and Families (2010). Safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity. Guidance for frontline practioners in social care, probation, health and education on the nature of risk posed by gang activity, including violence, sexual exploitation and extremism, signs of  gang involvement and guidance on dealing with gang involvement.

Safeguarding Children

Singleton, R. (2010). The chief Advisor on the Safety of children: first annual report to Parliament 2010. Outlines the changing environment in which safeguarding professionals are working, the increased demand for services and concerns from the sector.
Depatment for children, Schools and Families (2010). Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Covers statutory guidanceand non-statutory practice guidance for agents working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in accordance with the Chidlren Act 1989 and the chidlren Act 2004.