An independent inquiry into the killing of Ainlee Labonte, a child aged two, found that health and social workers in east London who should have protected her were 'paralysed by fear' of her abusing parents.
Source: Helen Kenward, Ainlee - Born: 24.06.1999 : Died: 07.01.2002, Chapter 8 Review, Newham Area Child Protection Committee/London Borough of Newham (020 8430 2000)
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2002-Dec
The full report was published of a study of home supervision of children in Scotland who have appeared at children's hearings.
Source: Cathy Murray, Christine Hallett, Neil McMillan and June Watson, Children (Scotland) Act 1995: Home Supervision, Scottish Executive (web publication only)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2002-Dec
The Northern Ireland Executive published a draft strategy for the protection of children, combining the responsibilities of social services, health, education, police, probation and housing agencies.
Source: Co-operating to Safeguard Children, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety/Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Draft report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
A report summarised findings from a programme of children s services inspections in 32 local councils between August 2000 and July 2001. Only 13 of the 32 councils were found to be serving most or all children and families well.
Source: Peter Cooper, Delivering Quality Children s Services: Inspection of Children s Services, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
In response to the problem of runaway children, an official report proposed giving the Department of Health national responsibility for runaways; local agreements between agencies to cover children running away from home and care; development funding to test out, evaluate and disseminate learning about working with the most vulnerable runaways; and an advisory group to develop monitoring and evaluation.
Source: Young Runaways, Social Exclusion Unit/Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 5550)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
Statistics were published on referrals and assessments of children in need, and on children on child protection registers; on children adopted from care; and on children looked after by local authorities (all: England, 2001-02). Some local councils reportedly questioned the accuracy and reliability of the figures.
Source: Press release 21.11.02, Department of Health (020 7210 4850) | Children Adopted from Care in England 2001-02, Statistical Bulletin 2002/24, Department of Health (020 7972 5581) | Children Looked After in England: 2001-02, Statistical Bulletin 2002/22, Department of Health | Community Care, 7.11.02
Links: DH press release | Bulletin 24 | Bulletin 22 | Community Care article
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 5.2
Date: 2002-Nov
Failings in child protection services in Scotland
An official report found that half of children at risk of abuse or neglect in Scotland are not being adequately protected or cared for.
Source: 'It s everyone s job to make sure I m alright': Report of the Child Protection Audit and Review, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report | Press release | Community Care article
Date: 2002-Nov
An estimated 41 per cent (2,600) of the 6,300 young people leaving care in England in 2001-02 had obtained one or more GCSEs or GNVQs on leaving care, up from 37 per cent in the previous year. (GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education: GNVQ = General National Vocational Qualification)
Source: Care Leavers: Year ending 31 March 2002, England, Statistical Bulletin 2002/27, Department of Health (020 7972 5581)
Links: Bulletin (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Nov
A new book examined different theories of childhood, children's rights and the relationship between children, parents and the state. Focusing on children looked after by the state, it reviewed the changing objectives of the care system and the extent to which children are involved in decisions about their care.
Source: Nigel Thomas, Children, Family and the State: Decision-making and child participation, Policy Press, available from Marston Book Services (01235 465500)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Oct
A new book provided an overview of the best current evidence from research on 'what works' in social care services for children and families.
Source: Diana McNeish, Tony Newman and Helen Roberts (eds.), What Works for Children?: Effective services for children and families, Open University Press (01280 823388)
Links: Summary
Date: 2002-Oct
The first of a series of three-yearly reports examined how well official agencies protect children from the risks of harm caused to them by parents, carers or professionals, as well as by other children, young people and people who are known to present a high risk. It was found that the priority given to safeguarding children has not been reflected firmly, coherently or consistently enough in service planning and resource allocation nationally or locally across all agencies.
Source: Safeguarding Children: The Joint Chief Inspectors' Report on Arrangements to Safeguard Children, Social Services Inspectorate/Department of Health (08701 555455) and seven other inspectorates
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | DH press release | Community Care article
Date: 2002-Oct
A report argued that local councils' role in child protection needs to be strengthened, not reduced, to deliver safe and successful services to children; that radical changes to the structure of children's services could blur accountability; and that the upheaval caused by such changes could divert agencies from their core responsibilities of looking after children.
Source: The Future of Services for Children A contribution to the debate, Local Government Information Unit (020 7554 2800), Democratic Health Network, and Education Network
Links: Report (pdf) | LGIU press release
Date: 2002-Oct
A report argued that if local authorities want to understand more about children in their care they need to encourage young people who have been in care to become involved in inspections.
Source: Pam Hibbert, Voices and Choices: Young people participating in inspections, Barnardo s (01268 520224), Social Services Inspectorate/Department of Health, Children s Society, Save the Children, National Children s Bureau, and First Key
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A committee of MPs said that, although it had some reservations about the conduct of investigations into past abuse in children's homes, it did not accept that police 'trawls' should be prohibited. It said that any initial approach by the police to former residents should, so far as possible, go no further than a general invitation to provide information to the investigation team.
Source: The Conduct of Investigations into Past Cases of Abuse in Children's Homes, Fourth Report (Session 2001-02), HC 836-I and HC 836-II, House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2002-Oct
A report described effective strategies in health, education and social work for helping children cope with transition and change, through the promotion of resilience.
Source: Tony Newman, Promoting Resilience: A Review of Effective Strategies for Child Care Services, Centre for Evidence Based Social Services/University of Exeter (01392 262865) and Barnardo's
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A report presented the preliminary results of a survey of activity and expenditure by local authorities in England on children in need, for a survey week in September/October 2001. The figures update an earlier survey, the first of its kind, in February 2000.
Source: Children in Need in England: Preliminary results of a survey of activity and expenditure as reported by Local Authority Social Services Children and Families Teams for a survey week in September/October 2001, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Oct
A report called for fundamental changes in children's services, including an end to underfunding, action to improve the recruitment, training and morale of social workers, and clarification of agencies' roles.
Source: Tomorrow's Children: A Discussion Paper on UK Child Care Services in the Coming Decade, Association of Directors of Social Services (020 8741 8147)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
From 2003, local authorities, the health service, the police and key criminal justice agencies will be required to agree 'local preventive strategies' covering children at risk.
Source: Press release 6.9.02, Children and Young Person's Unit/Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release (Word file)
Date: 2002-Sep
Checks on the criminal records of more than 100,000 people working with children were reportedly being delayed for up to a year, because the Criminal Records Bureau is concentrating its resources on vetting teachers.
Source: The Independent, 9.9.02
Links: Article
Date: 2002-Sep
The Scottish Executive published a Bill which will create a list of persons considered unsuitable to work with children. Employers will refer people for inclusion on the list who have been sacked or moved as a result of unsuitable behaviour towards children, even if not convicted of a criminal offence.
Source: Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Sep
A report examined ways of improving throughcare and aftercare services in Scotland for looked-after children.
Source: Report from the Working Group on the Throughcare and Aftercare of Looked After Children in Scotland, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report
Date: 2002-Aug
A report argued that there is a need for a system of early mental health assessment and intervention for looked-after children and young people, including those who go on to be adopted.
Source: The Mental Health of Looked-After Children, Mental Health Foundation (020 7802 0300)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Aug
A report set out a strategic framework for children s services, designed to involve children and their families more in the organisation of services and ensure that agencies work in partnership to meet their needs.
Source: Serving Children Well - A New Vision for Young People s Services, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000), NHS Confederation and Association of Directors of Social Services
Links: Report (pdf) | LGA press release
Date: 2002-Aug
The government announced that local systems to identify, track and refer children at risk (for example, of offending, drug taking and teenage pregnancy) would be put in place across the country in the course of the following year.
Source: Press release 16 August 2002, Children and Young Person's Unit/Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Aug
There were around 376,000 'children in need' in England in 2001 (known to their local authority as requiring the provision of services), according to preliminary census results. 69,000 children were looked after by their social services department.
Source: Press release 3 July 2002, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/4, Digest 120, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Jul
A cross-cutting review of children at risk (under the 2002 Spending Review) found that, despite significant investment in children's services, most initiatives fail to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged. It found that local schemes to help children were poorly developed, and there was no overall strategy to pull these services together to ensure that young people receive appropriate support.
Source: Opportunity and Security for All: Investing in an Enterprising, Fairer Britain: New Public Spending Plans 2003-2006, White Paper Cm 5570, HM Treasury, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: White Paper | Press release | Hansard
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Jul
Detailed figures were published on the educational qualifications, employment at age 16, health, and cautions and convictions of looked-after children in England, for the year to 30 September 2001.
Source: Outcome Indicators for Looked-After Children: Twelve months to 30 September 2001 England, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: DH press release
Date: 2002-Jul
A government report reviewed action taken to protect children from harm, and to improve the life chances of vulnerable children.
Source: The Children Act Report 2001, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 5.3
Date: 2002-Jul
The government published guidance on handling complex child abuse investigations.
Source: Complex Child Abuse Investigations: Inter-Agency Issues - Guidance, Department of Health (020 7273 4545) and Home Office
Links: No link
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
Researchers found significant variations in arrangements for young people in Scotland leaving care.
Source: J. Dixon and M. Stein, Still a Bairn: Throughcare and Aftercare Services in Scotland, Scottish Executive (web only)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
A survey found a shortage in Great Britain of almost 8,000 foster carers.
Source: Press release 24 June 2002, Fostering Network (020 7620 6437)
Links: Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
The government proposed a legal duty on local education authorities to promote and safeguard the welfare of pupils, including an obligation on teachers to report evidence of child abuse.
Source: The Guardian, 29.6.02
Links: Guardian report
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
A report drew lessons from cases of serious abuse or neglect of children in care.
Source: R. Sinclair and R. Bullock, Learning from Past Experience - A Review of Serious Case Reviews, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
The number of looked-after children rose 1 per cent, to 58,900 (England, 31 March 2001).
Source: Press release 9 May 2002, Department of Health (020 7210 4850)
Links: DH press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
A think tank proposed that each young person leaving care should have access to a 3,000 trust fund.
Source: The Times, 17.6.02
Links: None available
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-Jun
A report said that Asian runaway children were at more risk of violence and abuse than others, because support services did not understand their needs.
Source: Shamin Akhtar, No One's Asked Us Before: Evaluation of current systems for dealing with Asian young people who run away, Children's Society (020 7841 4415)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123 (paragraph 5.2)
Date: 2002-May
The first results were published of a survey of activity and expenditure by local authority social services' children and families teams.
Source: Children in Need in England: First Results of a Survey of Activity and Expenditure as Reported by Local Authority Social Services' Children and Families Teams for a Survey Week in February 2000, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Summary | Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124 (paragraph 5.3)
Date: 2002-May