The government has set up a consultation on the use of unregulated accommodation for 16-18 year olds. This comes after an investigation by Newsnight which showed that young people were being placed in appalling conditions and often left to fend for themselves. If a young person is put in a residential placement where they are receiving care then this falls under the scope of a childrens home and is subject to Ofsted regulations. If they do not receive care and instead just receive support, then they can be put into accommodation which is currently unregulated. The consultation outlines options to ban the use of unregulated accommodation for under 18s. However,… Read More
Continue ReadingLetter to Education Secretary
The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, Secretary of State for Education, We are writing on behalf of The Care Leavers Association, a user-led charity working to improve the lives of care leavers of all ages and the steering group of The Care Experienced Conference held in Liverpool in April 2019. Both groups are very experienced at listening to care leavers and ensuring that the user-voice is highlighted in key political, social and cultural spaces. Both groups fully support the commitment in the conservative party manifesto for a review of the care system. Whilst some elements of the current care system undoubtedly make a positive difference, there are many aspects… Read More
Continue ReadingSupreme Court Judgement
Landmark judgment rules that Local Authorities can face legal action if they fail to protect vulnerable children Abuse law experts say judgment provides protection for victims and legal clarity for councils A landmark judgment handed down today has ruled that local authorities can be held legally accountable if they fail to protect vulnerable young people and children in their area who are considered to be at risk, regardless of whether they are officially in care. A previous Court of Appeal decision which gave Social Workers exemption from liability in cases where children who are known to social services are harmed was also overruled. In the judgment which was handed down… Read More
Continue ReadingCJS Roundtables
https://www.careleavers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Between-Care-and-the-Criminal-Justice-System-A-Multi-Agency-Round-Table-Discussion.pdf The Care Leavers’ Association (CLA) held a series of Care Leaver Roundtable Events in November 2018 at HMP Hatfield, Wealstun and Humber in Yorkshire & Humberside. We have published the report above, which draws on the views of delegates who attended from across the Yorkshire & Humber region. These roundtables were care leaver led and brought together operational and strategic leads from across the region, with a focus on understanding what the region was able to do in response to care leavers and children looked after who find themselves in criminal justice settings
Continue ReadingGreater Manchester Care Leaver Awards
On 17th October 2017; the RNCM hosted the 5th Annual Greater Manchester Care Leaver Awards – which recognises the amazing achievements of young people who have experience of the care system in Greater Manchester, as well as their supporting parents, carers, families and social workers. The awards are coordinated by The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Salford, The University of Bolton and The Care Leavers Association; and supported by Greater Manchester Higher. About the care leaver awards: The awards ceremony seeks to recognise that many Care Leavers achieve success despite experiencing very difficult circumstances during their lives. Co-organiser Emma Lewis-Kalubowila, who works for the University of… Read More
Continue ReadingWant to share your experience of a children’s home?
Child Care History Network is planning a conference on Wednesday 1 November at Hinsley Hall in Leeds. The main paper will be by Peter Higginbotham, whose book on children’s homes has just been published. David Lane will be speaking about the findings of the Northern Ireland Inquiry concerning children’s homes. They are hoping to have a variety of short inputs (say, 3 x 10 minutes each) from people who have experienced life in children’s homes. The intention would be to share experiences about what life was really like in homes – neither setting out to pick out the worst practice, nor whitewashing things either. If you are interested in sharing your… Read More
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Continue ReadingPublic Accounts Committee
The views of the Public Accounts Committee report published recently looking at the Care System.
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