Archive for February, 2013
Child protection
Definition
“Under the 1989 Children Act, local authorities have to investigate where there is a reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering (or likely to suffer) significant harm.” – Southampton City Council
“All children have a right to grow up in a caring and safe environment. All adults have a responsibility to protect children” – North Lanarkshire Council
Policies and legislation
- National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland
- Leicester City and Leicestershire & Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Boards Practice Guidance (legal)
Good practice examples
Useful links
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Care leavers
Definition
Young people who are about to leave or have left local authority care (being looked after and/or looked after and accommodated.
Their plans for leaving care are usually developed through a pathway plan which will look at options for:
- Where they want to live
- Whether they stay in education or seek employment
- Where they will get support if things get difficult
Young people who have been ‘looked after’ may be entitled to a resettlement grant, intended to help towards setting up their own accommodation. However, this is discretionary and is not a guaranteed amount.
Financial assistance may be available if they are in full-time education or training. If they go on to university they can be supported throughout their course until the age of 24, including help with accommodation over the vacations.
Policies and legislation
The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/35/contents
Useful links
http://www.solihull.gov.uk/fostering/careleavers.htm
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Adoption
Definition
Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who cannot be brought up by their biological parents. The adoptive parents take on the legal responsibility for the child, and the child becomes a full member of a new family, usually taking the new family name. Once an adoption order has been granted, it cannot be reversed except in extremely rare circumstances. Adoption means that an adopted child loses all legal ties with their birth parents and becomes a full member of their new family, usually taking the family’s name. Links with the birth family may be maintained.
Policies and legislation
Adoption and Children Act 2002: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/38/contents
Good practice examples
Frequently asked questions on Nottingham City Council’s websitehttp://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=357
North Lanarkshire Council’s adoption and fostering web pageshttp://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3035
Devon’s guide to adoption http://www.devon.gov.uk/adoption.htm
Useful links
British Association of Adoption and Fostering http://www.baaf.org.uk/
Adoption UK http://www.adoptionuk.org/
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Residential care
Definition
Residential care for children and children’s homes are there to ensure that the needs of children are met when they cannot live with their own family. They are a place for children to develop and grow, as well as providing food, shelter, and space for play and leisure in a caring environment. Children’s homes look after children with many different needs.
Association of Social Care Communicators 