Community Care articles from April 2008

Community Care archives from April 2008

News.
April 3, 2008... Child protection body 'too close to social services' maria.ahmed@rbi.co.uk Jersey's child protection committee could have done more to prevent abuse in the past, according to its chair June Thoburn, a UK social work expert. ...

News.(Brief article)(Photograph)
April 3, 2008... 03April08p10shakespeare (pic) Bolton Council has launched a recruitment campaign for adult placement carers to join the likes of Eddie and Margaret Shakespeare (above). Two years ago, Michael Dewhurst (above right), who has learning and...

News.(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... The Cornwall health trust at the centre of the 2006 learning disabilities abuse scandal was taken out of special measures last week after a Healthcare Commission review found it had made "substantial progress". The commission and the...

News.(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... kinship care A government-commissioned study published last week has stressed the importance of carer assessments, as well as adequate support, in the success of kinship care placements. The Oxford University study called for clear central...

News.
April 3, 2008... Age Concern demands rights for self-funding residents Government answers call to close care home human rights loophole, but only for state-funded residents news.comcare@rbi.co.uk Self-funding care home residents must have the same...

News.(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... Go to www.communitycare.co.uk/care-space-roles to have your say on the statement on the roles and tasks of social work. Comments so far on our online discussion forum include:e_SFlb "Whilst this document is worthy of careful consideration...

News.(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... other social work reviews in the united Kingdom The review of social work in England followed related exercises in Wales and Scotland, and precedes a similar review in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland: The Northern Ireland Social...

News.(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... 03April08p6-7rolestimeline October 2006 - Government review of social care workforce in England, Options for Excellence reports. On back of this, DH and then DfES commission General Social Care Council to produce statement on the roles and...

News.
April 3, 2008... maria.ahmed@rbi.co.uk The government has been slammed over its "shoddy" response to coroners' recommendations in the cases of two boys who died in custody. The Ministry of Justice, Youth Justice Board and Department for Children,...

News.(Brief article)(List)
April 3, 2008... 03april08p9click 1. Heather Wakefield: LGE target on equal pay is 'complete fantasy'. 2. MP's and Peers social practices must face human rights checks. 3. Mental health foundation services ignore problem anger. 4. How should...

News.(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... 03April08p9nibs MENTAL HEALTH The Healthcare Commission this week launched an investigation into patient safety at West London Mental Health NHS Trust. The move follows concerns from the Mental Health Act Commission and other sources...

Warnings of database flaws buried.(News)
April 3, 2008... Ministers knew a year ago that children's records system was in trouble sally.gillen@rbi.co.uk The government was warned a year ago that a major IT system to hold case information about children involved with social services was beset...

Councils missing extended deadline to launch system.(News)(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... Councils are continuing to struggle to meet deadlines to implement the integrated children's system, despite an original deadline being extended significantly. A snapshot survey by Community Care of one-third of councils in England found...

We must lose the 'boot camp' regime, Oakhill STC chief says.(News)(Malcolm Stevens)
April 3, 2008... Private sector firms put in place a "short, sharp, shock" culture that relied on the use of force young offenders maria.ahmed@rbi.co.uk Private companies responsible for the UK's four secure training centres "did not know what...

Roles and tas ks in need of fanfare.(News)(General Social Care Council)
April 3, 2008... workforce Profession welcomes the report on roles but seeks government enthusiasm mithran.samuel@rbi.co.uk The government's failure to publicly endorse the long-awaited statement on the roles and tasks of social workers, published...

where's the training?(Opinion Columns)
April 3, 2008... Social workers need to add to their skills to carry out their role in supporting people with autism, writes Anna Kennedy "You cannot underestimate the vital role social workers can play in supporting children and adults with autism" ...

Opinion Columns.(Letter to the editor)
April 3, 2008... Dear Gordon Brown, I'm writing to you because for the last 10 years or so, you've had some responsibility for the nation's finances. As a service user, someone whose life is dependent upon healthy government accounts, but with no expertise...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
April 3, 2008... www.communitycare.co.uk/carespace CareSpace is an online community where social care professionals can share good practice information, ask for advice, network with colleagues from around the country or discuss the big issues of the day....

Is one-to-one mentors plan realistic?(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
April 3, 2008... Cutting services to fund wage increases We in the third sector also have problems with pay (News, page 5, 27 March). Those of us with contracts with our local authority to provide services find that the annual inflationary uplift in the...

Editorial Comment.(Editorial)
April 3, 2008... A long-awaited report examining the roles and tasks of social work was released last week with little fanfare. Steered by the GSCC, it's a competent description of social work as it stands today. With an intention to inform government...

You can't complain.(Features)
April 3, 2008... is used an alternative to "mustn't grumble". But for a self-funding older person in a care home it's a reality -they cannot make an independent complaint. Louise Tickle reports Louise Tickle 3.4 adults section: complaints CORRECT VERSION...

Community Clairvoyance the alternative horoscope for social workers.(Backchat)
April 3, 2008... Taurus (Apr 21 - May 21) Horoscopes in other glossy magazines tell you that you are going to have a fabulous April. Your birthday will be brilliant, your love life stupendous and your money woes will disappear after a big bonus from Mr...

You can't complain.(Features)
April 3, 2008... ... no, really, you can't. Self-funding older people in care homes cannot make an independent complaint. But charities are pressing ministers for solutions. Louise Tickle reports residential care homes e_SNpn As you become older...

Helping parents of children with conduct disorders.(Proven Practice)(List)
April 3, 2008... onduct disorders are the largest single group of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, and they are the main reason for referral to child and adolescent mental health services. These disorders, which include oppositional defiant...

Editorial Comment.(Editorial)
April 3, 2008... custody and complacency About 600 people die in custody every year in England and Wales, a statistic that the government seems remarkably complacent about. This much is clear from its response to the coroners' recommendations following...

where's the endorsement?(News)
April 3, 2008... Social care is about to change fundamentally, but the launch of Social Work Roles and Tasks has lacked a certain pizzazz the big picture Spot the difference between two major social work events. First, the National conference organised...

Features.
April 3, 2008... Working with gangs Our monthly series of articles offering guidance on important issues in children's social care continues with a look at what gangs are and the issues outreach workers should look out for Defining the gang and other...

Education Column.
April 3, 2008... Schools must play their part in holistic children's services John Chowcat explains why he supports plans to tie schools more closely into the Every Child Matters agenda, in the face of some resistance he active involvement of schools...

Interview/Profile.(Interview)
April 3, 2008... Heavy Load band members live two very different lifestyles: by day it's work placements, day centres, and social work appointments by night it's rock'n'roll, rehearsal studios and gigging. The band, formed of tenants and staff at the supported...

Masters of art.(Good Practice)
April 3, 2008... Visually impaired people can enjoy the works at the National Gallery thanks to a scheme that caters to their needs, writes Josephine Hocking what's on where It's a fascinating painting, so complex and ornate," says Shelagh Edge,...

Engine trouble.(Features)
April 3, 2008... Search engines have made life so much easier for people looking for research and practice information. But academics are among those now saying this is an illusion, reports Mark Hunter Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Facebook, iPhone and...

The ExpertPatients' Programme.(Research Realities)
April 3, 2008... Is the initiative meeting its aim to increase self-directed support and reduce health service use among people with long-term conditions? Alison Petch looks for some answers in the national evaluation PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS THE RESEARCH...

Backchat.(Brief article)
April 3, 2008... social skirmishes Rosie Warlock, a senior practitioner in children's social services, is confused by acronyms * We're recruiting more staff to the team - hurrah. But it turns out it is only an NQSW, oh well, we can soon train them up...

The RAP route to rehabilitation.(Good Practice)(Hackney Resettlement and Aftercare Provision)
April 3, 2008... Hackney is tapping into its creative community to offer troubled young people a way out of offending behaviour. Amy Taylor reports ome secretary Jacqui Smith recently sparked controversy when she said she felt unsafe in Hackney at...

Probation office can fill gap in debt and benefits advice.(Welfare Rights)
April 3, 2008... Ex-offenders can run up substantial debt that can spiral out of control. But, as Gary Vaux explains, the situation is retrievable enefits advice is now delivered in a variety of settings, with a range of partnerships involved - in GP...

Playing catch-up.(Features)
April 3, 2008... For too long families with disabled children have been neglected by policymakers but the government's move to ensure more short breaks are provided promises better It is not often that campaigners on social issues find that their demands...

A gentle reminder.(Working Lives)
April 3, 2008... Forgotten it again? Beat the memory lapses by putting some of Elisabeth Wilson's prompts into place Often I can't remember where I've left my car keys. I've even had to struggle to remember where I left the car on occasion. A little...

Making the case for flexi work.(Working Lives)
April 3, 2008... Q: I need to go part-time for at least six months to take on some caring responsibilities. However, my employer isn't the most approachable. How can I get them to respond to my flexible working request favourably? And how do I ensure my job is...

Opinion Columns.
April 10, 2008... Dear Gordon brown... I'm writing to you because for most of the last 11 years you've had responsibility for the nation's finances. As a service user, someone whose life is dependent upon healthy government revenues, but with no expertise...

Vacancy problems persist at Birmingham, report says.(News)
April 10, 2008... recruitment maria.ahmed@rbi.co.uk Birmingham Council is still struggling to recruit children's social workers eight months after concerns were raised over high staff turnover. More than a quarter of posts in children's specialist...

One in five social workers missed re-registration deadline.(News)(Brief article)
April 10, 2008... workforce Thousands of social workers who have failed to re-register with the General Social Care Council have seven days to comply. The GSCC said this week it would be writing to practitioners who had missed the 1 April deadline after...

Children's style staff development must be extended to adults' sector.(News)
April 10, 2008... Social care leaders urge government departments to integrate workforce development plans for practitioners maria.ahmed@rbi.co.uk Government plans to boost training and development for children's social workers must be extended to the...

News.
April 10, 2008... England payment support schemes overstretched comcare.news@rbi.co.uk A comprehensive analysis of direct payment support services in the UK has unearthed waiting lists for users in England, low take-up and a lack of funding for ongoing...

News.(Brief article)
April 10, 2008... mental health Crisis teams need better rapport with users Mental health crisis teams could communicate more effectively and improve relationships with service users, a report by the Healthcare Commission said this week. Its...

News.(Brief article)
April 10, 2008... social worker stabbed A Lancashire Council social worker has been stabbed to death while on a house visit. The attack occured on Monday morning at Glebe Close, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire police said. As Community Care went to press, a...

News.
April 10, 2008... workforce Unions will have to consider sustained action to up offer Employers say staff have no desire to strike to improve below inflation offer comcare.news@rbi.co.uk Local government social workers will have to consider...

News.(Brief article)(Photograph)
April 10, 2008... 10April08p8food (pic) booking the cooks Supported housing user Geraldine Hughes tries a recipe from a cook book produced by housing support officer Lucy Harris (right) and her colleague Julie Sharp, who work for provider In Touch. The...

Valuing People Now aims 'should be compulsory'.(News)
April 10, 2008... comcare.news@rbi.co.uk A leading learning disability campaigner has called for the recommendations in last year's Valuing People Now paper to be mandatory. And he said councils should face "special measures" if they cut services for...

News.(Brief article)(List)
April 10, 2008... 1. GSCC publishes statement on roles and tasks of social work. 2. Social worker barred after relationship with vulnerable client. 3. Warnings of database flaws buried. 4. Cornwall: Learning disabilities trust taken off special...

Justice board to miss target on youth custody numbers.(News)(Brief article)
April 10, 2008... Criminalisation of young people who commit minor offences blamed for rise maria.ahmed@rbi.co.uk The Youth Justice Board is likely to miss its target to cut youth custody numbers by 10% from 2005-8. Figures for February published...

'Anxiety culturee_SSRq blighting offending teams.(News)
April 10, 2008... Youth offending team workers are recommending young people receive custodial rather than community sentences because they fear making mistakes, a practitioner has said. A Yot manager, who did not give her name, told a seminar at Nacro's...

News.(Brief article)
April 10, 2008... legal aid Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service chief executive Anthony Douglas and his counterpart at Coram Family, Carol Homden, last week signed a deal under which the charity will provide support on private law cases to...

News.
April 10, 2008... safeguarding New vetting scheme will now start in October 2009 mithran.samuel@rbi.co.uk The vetting and barring scheme for people working with vulnerable people will start a year later than planned to ensure it works from the...

News.
April 10, 2008... learning disabilities Cornwall Council's lead adult services councillor has said he wants to see "substantial change" in the authority's learning disabilities services within the next year. Nigel Walker made the call after a Commission...

News.
April 10, 2008... SUBSTANCE MISUSE A pilot using dedicated drug courts to deal with substance misusing offenders committing low-level crime is to be extended, following positive outcomes, it was announced last week, The pilot sites at Leeds and West London...

Editorial Comment.(Editorial)
April 10, 2008... let's be consistent When social workers are asked about the biggest challenge they face in their day-to-day work, the answer often lies with bureaucracy and how it compromises time spent with clients. It's a perennial problem with our...

News.
April 10, 2008... tap into this free energy Volunteers help bring positive changes to public services but the government should fund their training to release this resource Baroness Neuberger's report on volunteering in health and social care services...

News.
April 10, 2008... Probation hostel staff are failing vulnerable residents at risk of suicide or self-harm, according to a report by criminal justice inspectorates. The study of a cross-section of hostels in England, jointly carried out by the probation,...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
April 10, 2008... www.communitycare.co.uk/carespace CareSpace is an online community where social care professionals can share good practice information, ask for advice, network with colleagues from around the country or discuss the big issues of the day....

Proven Practice.(Brief article)
April 10, 2008... Being a disabled student or practitioner and the issue of disclosing disability Information available on disclosing disability There is not a lot written specifically about the issue of disclosing disability when studying or working in...

The 'care careers' of looked-after children.(Research Realities)
April 10, 2008... The first major study of children in England's care system for 20 years has proven more far-reaching than its predecessor, writes June Statham Practice implications Planning for different care groups Local authorities need to...

Pause forthought.(Good Practice)
April 10, 2008... Carers are often too wrapped up in their duties to think about their needs. Amy Taylor reports on a London project that offers counselling to help them regain some independence he principle of promoting independence is widely recognised as...

Features.
April 10, 2008... Wherever you go, the concept of partnership working evokes strong reactions. On the one hand, it is constantly exhorted by government and seemingly central to most recent heath and social care policy. Ever since the election of New Labour in...

Disabled students and staff: disclosing disability.(Proven Practice)
April 10, 2008... Overview of other research and resources on students and practitioners disclosing disability, by the Social Care Institute for Excellence "What else to read" Stanley N, Manthorpe J and White M (2007). "Depression in the profession:...

Rob Greig living in the past on rights.(Letter to the editor)
April 10, 2008... The veil is no symbol of female liberation Ibrahim Patel is offended by the implicit link between use of the veil and forced marriages (Letters, 27 March). Patel asserts that "many women wear the veil as an act of independence against the...

Take your partners.(Features)
April 10, 2008... Over the next five issues of Community Care we will be presenting the top teams in each category of The Excellence Network. This week we look at the Partnership Working category. Rowenna Davis reports Mental Health The Bridge Substance...

Research Realities.(Diary entry)
April 10, 2008... Diary A lighter take on the week. A care worker in a children's home writes Monday Casting my eye around the staff meeting, I sit puzzled. I have raised two children, travelled the world and had a career for 15 years before working here....

'We're not labels but two staff members who became friends'.(True Partnerships)
April 10, 2008... Mark Brookes was looking for a knowledgeable work colleague to help with his Making Decisions project and discovered Joanna Perry, who found working on the project gave her confidence and direction Mark Brookes is a project worker with...

Young at heart of matter.(Good Practice)
April 10, 2008... South Gloucestershire Council has picked up a beacon award after building its looked-after children's team around the young people themselves, writes Anne Gulland he night of 4 March was a double celebration for care leaver Kiera Cottrell....

'They don't really have a clue'.(Features)
April 10, 2008... Support staff, or paraprofessionals, are increasingly having to handle complex cases as eligibility criteria put clients out of reach of qualified social workers. Mark Hunter reports This is the age of the paraprofessional. Whether it's...

'Everything is still geared to mothers'.(Interview/Profile)(Interview)
April 10, 2008... BASW Scotland's awards scheme recognises frontline social work at its best. In the first of three interviews with the winners, Andrew Mickel talks to John Black, voted social worker of the year 2007, for his pioneering work supporting fathers,...

Legal Update.
April 10, 2008... When housing is denied to teenagers just to save money Good accommodation and support is essential if a vulnerable homeless 16- or 17-year-old is to have a reasonable chance of a decent adulthood. But, the better the service, the more...

Another brick in the wall.(Features)
April 10, 2008... Carers with therapeutic skills can help rebuild children's psychological foundations, says Jonathan Pearce, who will be speaking on the subject at a Community Care conference magine a wall. That wall represents your childhood. Your whole...

Backchat.(Brief article)
April 10, 2008... social skirmishes Rosie Warlock, a senior practitioner in children's social services, considers the Roles and Tasks of Social Work statement To further the discussion on the future of social work, we came up with our own descriptions...

television review Street smart social worker.(Working Lives)
April 10, 2008... Sally Gillen expected the worst when social services were summoned to a Corrie storyline. She need not have worried Coronation Street aaaaa ITV1 When popular dramas such as soaps tackle certain social issues they call in the...

Pilots on parade.(Features)
April 10, 2008... Skills for Care has launched 78 initiatives to test ways of working in social care. Louise Tickle looks at how they have fared Is a new dawn in social care delivery about to, well, dawn? It appears that it may be in some parts of the...

Can we count on our managers?(Working Lives)
April 10, 2008... Q: I and my colleagues are anxious about how senior managers would react if something went wrong. As practitioners, we make decisions every day that involve risks. How should we expect managers to behave if, for example, a child or disabled...