Legal system of child protection is in crisis, says senior judge – The Guardian

Posted June 13th, 2018 in care orders, child neglect, family courts, news, social services by sally

‘The family justice system is in crisis, fuelled by an “untenable” workload created by a glut of applications to take vulnerable children into care, the senior judge about to become the next head of the family courts has said.’

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The Guardian, 13th June 2018

Source: www.theguardian.com

Working Together to Safeguard Children: revisions to statutory guidance – Home Office

Posted February 26th, 2018 in child abuse, child neglect, consultations, reports by tracey

‘Summary of responses we received, along with the government’s response outlining the next steps.’

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Home Office, 26th February 2018

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Parents guilty of amputee baby’s life-changing injuries – BBC News

‘The parents of a six-week-old baby boy have been found guilty of causing him near-fatal injuries which resulted in the amputation of both his legs.’

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BBC News, 16th February 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Shannon Matthews: The unravelling of the truth – BBC News

Posted February 19th, 2018 in child abduction, child neglect, news, perverting the course of justice by sally

‘It is 10 years since Shannon Matthews was reported missing by her seemingly distraught mother. For 24 days, Karen Matthews played the tearful victim, pleading for the return of her “beautiful princess daughter”. When the nine-year-old was found safe, the woman at the heart of the hunt was exposed as a liar. But has the truth behind the kidnapping hoax been fully revealed?’

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BBC News, 19th February 2018

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Parents with Learning Disabilities and a Local Authority’s Responsibilities – Family Law Week

‘Emma Harman, barrister of 3PB, explains the lessons that can be learned from A Local Authority v G (Parent with Learning Disability) [2017] EWFC B94.’

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Family Law Week, 18th January 2018

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Local authorities and learning disabled parenting (A Local Authority v CG and others) – Family Law

‘A case concerning the parental suitability of two parents with mental health and learning difficulties offers a number of lessons that can help local authorities to better manage such challenging circumstances. Emma Harman, counsel for the mother, and Omar Malik, for the father, both of 3 Paper Buildings, outline the most salient issues for practitioners and local authorities to be aware of.’

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Family Law, 18th January 2018

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Child abuse and neglect investigations surge by 60% over 10 years as services reach ‘tipping point’ – The Independent

Posted December 12th, 2017 in child abuse, child neglect, news, social services, statistics by sally

‘The number of investigations into child abuse and neglect started by local authorities has soared by 60 per cent in the last decade, as councils warn children’s services are reaching “tipping point”.’

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The Independent, 11th December 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Children removed after parents’ open relationship contributes to neglect – The Guardian

Posted December 1st, 2017 in adoption, child neglect, children, news by tracey

‘Three children are to be removed from their family home amid concerns that their parents’ “open relationship” may have contributed to neglect. The ruling by a family court judge makes clear that the hearing was concerned only with the impact of the parents’ unusual lifestyle on their young children, who are all under the age of five and will now be placed for adoption.’

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The Guardian, 30th November 2017

Source: www.theguardian.com

Dog that killed three-week-old boy belonged to his father – The Independent

Posted June 6th, 2017 in child neglect, children, dogs, families, news by tracey

‘A father who has admitted that he owned the dog which mauled his 20-day-old baby to death, is facing jail. Ryan Young, 32, initially denied owning the terrier-type dog but changed his plea at Newcastle Crown Court.’

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The Independent, 5th June 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Insufficient evidence’ to charge anyone over baby’s death at vicarage – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 21st, 2017 in birth, child neglect, children, clergy, conspiracy, evidence, inquests, murder, news, prosecutions by tracey

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has said there remains “insufficient evidence” to charge anyone over the death of a baby boy at a vicarage.’

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Daily Telegraph, 20th March 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Parents jailed for neglect of children found in filthy Lancashire house – The Guardian

Posted March 10th, 2017 in child neglect, news, sentencing by sally

‘A court has jailed the parents of four children all aged under five found living in “feral and dangerous” conditions in a house where excrement was smeared on the walls.’

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The Guardian, 9th March 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Poppy Widdison death: Mother and partner guilty of cruelty – BBC News

Posted December 19th, 2016 in child cruelty, child neglect, news by sally

‘A mother and her ex-partner have been found guilty of child cruelty after feeding drugs to her four-year-old daughter.’

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BBC News, 16th December 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Law Society warns on mandatory child abuse reporting duty – Local Government Lawyer

Posted October 25th, 2016 in child abuse, child neglect, consultations, Law Society, local government, news by michael

‘A mandatory duty to report child abuse and neglect would simply lead to high volumes of unsubstantiated reports that fall far below the significant harm threshold, the Law Society has warned.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 21st October 2016

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Judge voices fears over ‘relentless rise’ in child care cases following Baby P tragedy – Daily Telegraph

Posted September 21st, 2016 in care orders, child abuse, child neglect, judges, local government, news, statistics by tracey

‘The effect of the Baby P case has contributed to a “crisis” in the children’s care system, the president of the High Court’s Family Division has said. Sir James Munby called for urgent research into why the number of cases in which children can be separated from their parents on the application of a council had more than doubled in the last decade.’

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Latest view from the President’s Chambers

Daily Telegraph, 20th September 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Failure to report child abuse could lead to jail, consultation says – The Guardian

‘School caretakers, secretaries and dinner ladies could face prosecution and possible imprisonment for failing to report signs of child abuse or neglect under official proposals in the wake of the Savile, Rotherham and Rochdale scandals.’

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The Guardian, 21st July 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Families hope for answers in Bristol review of hospital child deaths – The Guardian

‘The parents of young children who died on a controversial cardiac ward have spoken of their fears that they might not get the answers they crave ahead of the publication of an independent inquiry into their sons’ care.’

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The Guardian, 26th June 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government’s review of child protection must not undermine vital services – The Guardian

‘The government’s review of local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs), due to report in March, is reshaping the architecture of child protection. LSCBs are tasked with oversight of agencies that protect children, including local authorities, police, schools and health. This is a fundamental review, which implies far-reaching change, and is of huge public interest. The spotlight on this review is made more intense by the cross-departmental children’s taskforce: one key outcome from it must be a better coordinated approach across government departments.’

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The Guardian, 22nd February 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Family judge criticised for not naming council that breached father’s rights – The Guardian

‘A family court judge has come under fire after refusing to name a council that violated a man’s parental rights by taking his four-year-old daughter into care without a proper investigation.’

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The Guardian, 10th January 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Rebecca Kandare death: Parents jailed for malnourished baby killing – BBC News

‘The parents of a dying baby girl, who failed to seek urgent medical care for her because of their religious beliefs, have been jailed.’

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BBC News, 10th November 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Luton mother and grandmother guilty of baby neglect death – BBC News

Posted October 29th, 2015 in child neglect, news by sally

‘The mother and grandmother of a seven-month-old baby who died in their care have been found guilty of neglect.’

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BBC News, 28th October 2015

Source: www.bbc.co.uk