Care Matters

1 December 2008

Improving opportunities for children and young people who grow up in care is a high priority for the Labour Government. Here we follow the development of policy on the issue, from the 2006 Care Matters green paper to the current Children and Young Persons Bill.

Councils urged to support children in care

The government has published plans to ensure local authorities give looked-after children the same opportunities as their peers.

MPs demand independent advocate for children in care

An influential parliamentary group has called for a "truly independent voice" to make sure the interests of looked-after children are properly represented.

Councils face duty to broaden range of care

Local councils could be made to provide a range of accommodation for looked-after children after an amendment to the Children and Young Persons Bill.

A boarding school. Credit: Malcolm Case-Green

Boarding scheme fails to take off

A derisory number of children have taken part in a much-trumpeted government project to send vulnerable children to boarding schools, CYP Now has learned.

MPs to examine looked after children plans

The group of MPs that monitors the work of the Department for Children, Schools and Families is to carry out an inquiry into looked-after children.

Councils to be liable for new practices

Local authorities will be ultimately accountable for the controversial social work practices, the government has confirmed.

Bill provides new rights for looked-after young people

The government is to ban moving looked-after children out of their local area when it is not in the child's interest as part of a major shake-up of care services.

Looked-after children: Councils pilot 'virtual heads'

Looked-after children in 11 local authorities are to get a "virtual head teacher" as part of a pilot scheme to test proposals from the Care Matters green paper.

Social Care News: Care Matters - MPs announce plans for a white paper

The Government is to publish a white paper further developing its plans for children in care.

Social Care News: Care matters - Young people demand more control

Professionals should work with children to make decisions according to a group of young people consulted on the Government's Care Matters green paper.

Looked-after children: Care green paper finally unveiled with a strong focus on education

The Government has ended months of speculation about its plans for looked-after children with the publication of its Care Matters green paper.

Analysis

Analysis: Social work - Social pedagogy: fad or the future?

The government plans to fund pilot programmes next year that will evaluate the effectiveness of European-style social pedagogy in residential care.

Analysis: Looked-after children - Will the children in care Bill deliver?

With the reforms in the Children and Young Persons Bill the government hopes to give looked-after children and young people a better future. But do the measures go far enough...

Analysis: Looked-after children - Care Matters: white paper verdict

As the Government delivers its white paper, Care Matters: Time for Change, Sarah Cooper questions the professionals on whether they believe the proposals are workable in the field and sufficient...

Analysis: Youth justice - Police should not be the first resort

The Police Federation and a report by a leading criminal justice research body have questioned the way that young people, particularly those in care, are criminalised for petty offences. Tristan...

Analysis: Care Matters - Sector demands tangible change

The feedback on the Care Matters green paper has revealed that many within the sector want the Government's plans for the future of services for...

Analysis: Green paper - The ideas are there - is the money?

The Government has released its green paper, Care Matters, on improving outcomes for looked-after children in England. But concerns about sufficient funding for the much-applauded plans could jeopardise their implementation,...