2004 Archive
The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services
October 2004
The National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services (NSF) is a ten-year strategy to stimulate sustained improvement in children's health, by setting standards for children's health and social care services, and the interface with education. The eleven standards cover promoting children's health, supporting parents, services for adolescents, safeguarding and promoting children's welfare and well-being, services for children who are ill or in hospital, services for disabled children and those with complex health needs, children and young people's mental health services, medicines for children and maternity services. The NSF will be implemented as part of the cross-government ‘Change for Children' Programme. The inspectorates – the Commission for Social Care Inspection, Ofsted and the Healthcare Commission, have a duty to ensure that these standards are delivered.
LCPC Child Protection Procedures Review
September 2004
The LCPC is currently leading on the revision of the London Child Protection procedures launched in the autumn of 2003. The procedures revision sub-group members can be found (relevant section of website). If you have suggestions then please e-mail them to the LCPC e-mail address, lcpc@alg.gov.uk .
DfES publishes a consultation about the Common Assessment Framework
September 2004
The “Every Child Matters” Green Paper proposed the introduction of a Common Assessment Framework (CAF) as a central element of the strategy for helping children, young people and their families. This consultation invites comments on a proposed CAF from anyone involved in working with children. http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1263
DfES publishes a paper about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in schools.
August 2004
The DfES has published good practice guidance providing a practical model of process steps to help Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in their implementation of effective systems for identifying and maintaining contact with children missing, or at risk of going missing, from education. Download the full document from our Library section (under Education Publications).
Home Office publishes a paper on Prostitution
August 2004
Paying the Price, a consultation paper on prostitution, has been published to prompt a public debate on how to deal with the issues raised by prostitution in England and Wales. Views on policy and practice will pave the way for the development of a coordinated strategy for prostitution - aimed at reducing the harms associated with prostitution, experienced by those involved and by those communities in which it takes place. Views are welcome from everyone with an interest in this area of public policy, but particularly from those with experience of involvement in prostitution, those with experience of the impact of prostitution in their neighbourhood, and from those agencies - both voluntary and statutory - working in this field. Download the full document from our Library section (under Government Publications) or the Home Office website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs3/paying_the_price.html
The Licensing Act 2003 - Child Protection Duties
August 2004
The Licensing Act 2003 was approved by Parliament in July 2003. The aim of the Act is to modernise the legislation governing the sale and supply of alcohol and public entertainment licensing. In addition to the responsibilities of the Police and Fire departments, there is a body to advise on any matters relating to the protection of mhildren from harm. LACORS and ADSS have produced a leaflet concerning child protection duties under this Act. The leaflet can be found on the DfES website: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/acpc/stoppress/
Operation Paladin Child - the Police-led three month scoping study at Heathrow Airport has now reported its findings
May 2004
Of over 1900 'unaccompanied minors' entering the UK during the 3 month period, over 550 were the subject of follow up enquiries by social services. Although no direct evidence or trafficking for sexual purposes was found, three children have been placed on local authority child protection registers. Over 20 recommendations have been made and the Metropolitan Police have committed to providing support and advice for immigration officers at three London ports.
For further information see the executive summary
"Getting away with it". A strategic overview of domestic violence, sexual assault and 'serious' incident analysis
March 2004
The Met Police receives just over 104,000 calls each year relating to domestic violence. The British Crime Survey shows that domesitc violence is more likely to result in injury than any other offences against the person. The Met Police have carried out analysis on domestic murder to identify the risk factors and antecendants to murders, the impact of agency contact, weapons used, injuries and crime scene analysis. By profiling offenders, lessons can be learned about prevention, protection and enforcement. For further information, see the full report in our Library section.
Young people & vulnerable adults facing forced marriage
March 2004
A set of guidelines have been published by The Foreign & Commonwealth Office to help protect young British nationals and vulnerable adults from the crimes and abuses of human rights associated with forced marriage.
Download the full document from our Library section.
Children’s Services & Change
March 2004
An Inter-Agency Group of organisations from across the children's sector have published a document From Vision to Reality, to help professionals to translate the proposals in the Children's Bill into practical change.
Find out more
Biggest reform of children’s services for 30 years set out in Children Bill 2004
March 2004
Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke today set out how children’s services will be transformed to maximise opportunity and minimise risk for every child and young person.
Find out more
