Call to sue councils that are ‘failing the vulnerable’ – Law Society’s Gazette

“The case of a mentally ill man who attempted suicide after being discharged from hospital to a park bench has prompted mental health solicitors to call on lawyers to sue local authorities that fail to provide adequate healthcare for some of society’s most vulnerable members.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 17th March 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

How the law can be used to fight cuts to services for disabled people – Law Society’s Gazette

“Disabled children and disabled adults need significant support from public bodies to help them lead ordinary lives. These groups require both specialist and targeted services and flexible universal services which can be adapted to their needs.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 10th March 2011

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Woman convicted of impersonating a social worker – The Guardian

Posted March 9th, 2011 in impersonation, news, social services by sally

“A woman from Hertfordshire has become the first person to be convicted of pretending to be a qualified social worker, six years after legislation protecting the professional title took effect.”

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The Guardian, 8th March 2011

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Khyra Ishaq’s father sues council over starvation death – BBC News

Posted March 7th, 2011 in child neglect, local government, negligence, news, social services by sally

“The father of a girl who was starved to death after ‘missed opportunities’ by children’s services to save her is suing Birmingham City Council.”

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BBC News, 4th March 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ombudsman could investigate child ‘snatching’ by courts – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 7th, 2011 in adoption, judicial review, news, social services by sally

“An independent Ombudsman could be appointed to investigate cases in which social workers and the courts are accused of taking children from their homes without justification.”

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Daily Telegraph, 6th March 2011

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

U-turn on mixed-race adoption ban – The Independent

Posted February 21st, 2011 in adoption, minorities, news, social services by sally

“New guidance will tell social workers that they should allow white couples to adopt black and ethnic minority children, it was revealed today.”

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The Independent, 19th February 2011

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Oldham care baby mother takes battle to European courts – BBC News

Posted February 11th, 2011 in care orders, human rights, news, social services by sally

“A mother from Greater Manchester who claims her baby daughter was wrongly taken into care has taken her case to the European Courts.”

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BBC news, 11th February 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Social worker suspended over ignored child warning – BBC news

Posted January 14th, 2011 in child abuse, disciplinary procedures, news, social services by sally

“A social worker who failed to pass on details about the abuse of a toddler a week before she was murdered has been suspended for two years.”

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BBC News, 12th January 2011

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hair test ‘nearly cost mother baby’ – BBC News

Posted December 2nd, 2010 in alcoholism, children, news, social services by sally

“A hair test on a mother who nearly lost her child over alcohol allegations has been criticised by the High Court – potentially calling into question some tests done in similar cases.”

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BBC News, 1st December 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Coroner rules out inquest into death of Baby P – The Independent

Posted November 30th, 2010 in child abuse, inquests, news, social services by sally

“An inquest into the death of Baby P will not go ahead, a coroner ruled today.”

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The Independent, 30th November 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Agencies ‘missed chances’ to help Derby sex gang girls – BBC News

Posted November 25th, 2010 in child abuse, gangs, news, social services by sally

“Agencies ‘missed opportunities’  to help girls caught up in a sexual exploitation ring, an independent inquiry has found.”

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BBC News, 25th November 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Shoesmith appeals high court dismissal ruling – The Guardian

Posted November 11th, 2010 in appeals, child abuse, costs, news, social services by sally

“Sharon Shoesmith has launched an appeal against the high court ruling earlier this year which rejected her claim that she was unfairly sacked as director of Haringey children’s services after the death of baby Peter Connelly, the Guardian has learned.”

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The Guardian, 10th November 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Sharon Shoesmith Baby P legal bid costs nearly £500,000 – BBC News

Posted November 9th, 2010 in appeals, child abuse, costs, news, social services by sally

“A legal battle by the council director sacked over the death of Baby P has cost taxpayers nearly £500,000.”

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BBC News, 8th November 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Baby P social workers lose unfair dismissal claim – The Independent

Posted October 22nd, 2010 in child abuse, news, social services, unfair dismissal by sally

“Two social workers sacked over the Baby P tragedy have lost their claim for unfair dismissal, it emerged today.”

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The Independent, 22nd October 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Legal fights to keep home care for Alzheimer’s woman – BBC News

Posted September 22nd, 2010 in care homes, judicial review, news, social services by sally

“A Cornwall woman’s family is challenging a ruling by the NHS to send her to a nursing home or get agency carers because she has Alzheimer’s.”

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BBC News, 21st September 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Children left in danger by court delays – The Guardian

Posted August 9th, 2010 in child abuse, children, family courts, news, social services by sally

“Children are being damaged by unprecedented delays in the family courts in England and Wales, where judges can now take up to 65 weeks to decide whether it is safe for them to remain with their parents, Britain’s largest children’s charity says today.”

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The Guardian, 9th August 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Child protection database to be switched off – BBC News

Posted August 6th, 2010 in child abuse, children, news, social services by sally

“A £235m government database containing the records of England’s 11 million children is being switched off.”

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BBC News, 6th August 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Call for ‘urgent action’ on children’s services – Law Society’s Gazette

“A group of 18 legal, medical and child care organisations has called for urgent action to reform the delivery of court services to children in family proceedings.”

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Law Society’s Gazette, 5th August 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Khyra Ishaq tragedy: ministers urged to tighten law on home education – The Guardian

Posted July 28th, 2010 in children, education, news, reports, social services by sally

“Ministers must urgently review the law on home education to prevent further tragedies, the independent review into the death of Khyra Ishaq recommended today.”

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The Guardian, 27th July 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Starved girl Khyra Ishaq’s death ‘was preventable’ – BBC News

Posted July 28th, 2010 in children, news, reports, social services by sally

“The death of a seven-year-old girl who starved to death could have been prevented, a report has found.”

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BBC News, 27th July 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk