Launch of Child Sexual Exploitation Operating Protocol – CrimeLine

‘The Metropolitan Police Service is hosting a multi-agency launch at City Hall today, Monday 3 February, to set a benchmark for the investigation of child sexual exploitation in the capital. Designed to enhance victim care through improved referral pathways the MPS has drawn up robust processes to identify children at risk of abuse and sexual exploitation. The London Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Operating Protocol – which has been agreed across all 32 London boroughs – sets out the standards expected of all those agencies involved in dealing with the identification and protection of vulnerable children who are targeted for sexual abuse.’

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CrimeLine, 31st February 2014

Source: www.crimeline.info

Mental Health Act detentions up 12% – BBC News

Posted January 29th, 2014 in detention, hospitals, mental health, news, quality assurance, standards, statistics by sally

‘The number of people in England being detained under the Mental Health Act has risen by 12% in the past five years, according to the NHS regulator.’

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BBC News, 28th January 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Parole system failing prisoners and close to be overwhelmed, lawyers warn – The Independent

Posted January 27th, 2014 in budgets, delay, news, oral hearings, parole, prisons, standards, Supreme Court by sally

‘England and Wales’s parole system is on the brink of a crisis that will result in reformed prisoners being detained months after they should have been released, The Independent on Sunday can reveal.’

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The Independent, 26th January 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

BSB publishes guidance on deliberately failing to attend court – Bar Standards Board

‘The Bar Standards Board has today published guidance on deliberately failing to attend court.’

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Bar Standards Board, 18th December 2013

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Stafford Hospital review: Ivy Bunn death investigated – BBC News

Posted December 4th, 2013 in health & safety, hospitals, inquiries, news, professional conduct, standards by sally

‘A second criminal inquiry into the death of a patient at scandal-hit Stafford Hospital is under way.’

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BBC News, 3rd December 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Charity Commission ‘not fit for purpose’, says Margaret Hodge – The Guardian

‘Margaret Hodge has described the Charity Commission as not “fit for purpose” after a highly critical report warned that its failure to investigate fraud and abuse was undermining public faith in good causes.’

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The Guardian, 4th December 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Council wins High Court battle in first test of school intervention powers – Local Government Lawyer

Posted December 2nd, 2013 in education, local government, news, standards by sally

‘A city council has won a High Court battle with a governing body in the first case to consider the application of an authority’s intervention powers under s. 60 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 2nd December 2013

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Ministers defeated in Lords over licences for bankers – BBC News

Posted November 27th, 2013 in banking, bills, codes of practice, financial regulation, licensing, news, parliament, standards by tracey

‘The government has been defeated in the House of Lords over its plans for reforming the banking system. A Labour amendment to the Financial Services Bill, which would introduce a licensing system for senior bankers, was passed by five votes.’

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BBC News, 26th November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

GMC welcomes Europe language rules – BBC News

Posted November 18th, 2013 in doctors, EC law, immigration, news, standards by sally

“Doctors and other professionals moving from Europe to work in the UK will have their fluency in English checked under new rules governing language skills and other safety issues.”

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BBC News, 15th November 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Doctors, nurses and managers to face five years in jail if they neglect patients – The Guardian

“Doctors, nurses and NHS managers will face up to five years in jail if they are found to have wilfully neglected or mistreated patients under a new law aimed at stopping a repeat of the Mid Staffordshire hospital scandal.”

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The Guardian, 16th November 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

New payment card data security standards finalised – OUT-LAW.com

“Retailers, banks and other companies involved in processing credit and debit card payments will be subject to a new set of data security requirements from January, the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) has announced.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 8th November 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

NHS complaints review set to report – BBC News

“A government-backed review into how the NHS in England handles complaints is set to publish its conclusions later.”

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BBC News, 28th October 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

R. v. Farooqi – Has the Court of Appeal Compounded an Injustice? – Criminal Law and Justice Weekly

“Can a defendant ever have a fair trial or be safely convicted if his advocate is incompetent, asks Matthew Scott.”

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Criminal Law and Justice Weekly, 19th October 2013

Source: www.criminallawandjustice.co.uk

Ofsted fairness standards graded inadequate – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

“The Care Quality Commission has made headlines recently with the focus on inadequacies in its processes as a regulator and its failure to spot sub-standard and even dangerous levels of care. Its fellow regulator Ofsted, however, is more likely to be accused of being over – rather than under – zealous, but its approach has been subject to far less scrutiny.”

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 18th October 2013

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Orchid View scandal: Whistle-blowing inquiry call – BBC News

“Ministers must launch an inquiry into how whistle-blowers are treated in the wake of the Orchid View care home scandal, MP Charlotte Leslie has said.”

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BBC News, 20th October 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Hospitals told to investigate all patient complaints in spite of possible lawsuits – The Guardian

“Hospitals will be banned from refusing to investigate complaints from patients harmed by poor care who may also sue for damages, after campaigners condemned the practice as an illegal and unfair denial of patients’ rights.”

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The Guardian, 20th October 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Birmingham branded ‘national disgrace’ for child protection failures – The Guardian

“Vulnerable children are being let down by councils with ineffective and incompetent leadership, according to the Ofsted chief inspector, who singled out Birmingham as a ‘national disgrace’.”

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The Guardian, 15th October 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Crown Prosecution Service admits misleading public over complaints – The Guardian

“The Crown Prosecution Service has admitted publishing misleading records of complaints made about its performance.”

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The Guardian, 15th October 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Analysis: HMP Oakwood report – BBC News

Posted October 9th, 2013 in budgets, drug offences, health & safety, news, prisons, rehabilitation, reports, standards by sally

“The official website for HMP Oakwood says that it wants to ‘inspire, motivate and guide prisoners to become the best they can be.'”

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BBC News, 8th October 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Nurse who used Facebook to blow the whistle about poor care escapes being struck off – The Guardian

“A nurse who used Facebook to raise concerns about standards at his hospital has escaped being struck off after a disciplinary panel acknowledged he was passionate about his job and capable.”

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The Guardian, 1st October 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk