Grandparents Apart UK.

Looking Back.

Because of our dwindling numbers it is time to review our situation. A recent survey by an outside organisation, (About Families) based at Edinburgh University, was just about the best thing that could happen for us. A first class result on the help we give people who have contacted us.

When we had the problem Margaret and I were devastated and could not think straight or who to turn to. Hopefully we have taken a lot of the strain off grandparents since we started up in 2000.

I remember the time when grandparents had no recognition whatsoever regards their family. You were lucky to be recognised through tradition or you found out the hard way when you got a lawyers letter, or whatever, saying you were not to see your grandchildren anymore.

Now when families are discussed by other groups and government papers we are generally included more and more. The profile of grandparents has been raised considerably and I believe it has been our efforts of publicly speaking, lobbying the governments and standing up to lawyers who were falsely telling grandparents that they had rights to their grandchildren, “you just needed to go to court to claim them”, said the same lawyers charging a fortune.

It is well recognised now by the public that grandparents have no legal rights to their grandchildren and step by step the mystery surrounding this issue is becoming clearer and clearer. Clearing the fog and getting the message across to the public has been a hard task especially when we have governments, lawyers, social workers and professionals working in the welfare of children fighting against us because it would mean a change to their system.

We have thousands of grandparents who passed through our helpline complaining they have been ignored by social services; courts etc. who have informed them “you are irrelevant to your own grandchildren”. The powers at be say they do include grandparents but all these grandparents can’t be wrong.   It is easier for social services and others to have a child removed from its birth family rather than allow the child to be raised by the grandparents. It appears that grandparents are second class citizens when it comes to a family crisis and the grandchildren’s relationships with their grandparents and extended family are forgotten.

In 2005 alongside the 2006 Family Law Bill (Scotland) the vote in Parliament for grandparent’s rights was heavily defeated, but the Charter for Grandchildren was created by the government, us and others. It was meant to be a directive from the government to professionals and families that work in the welfare of children to look more closely at the role grandparents can play in their grandchildren’s lives.

The Charter, as it is, has been proven to be ignored by everyone because it is only advisory. Using the very Charter that was from the government (their words) we thought this should be easy to move it up a step to be legalised as problems for children are getting worse.

Social services have a (We will do it our way) attitude and label grandparents as uncooperative if they as much as hint that they are not pleased at the children’s treatment. With all the mistakes they have made one would think they would be glad of some help but their attitude is well fixed before hand and impossible to change.

One other reason that children miss out on their grandparents is Woman’s Aid, which started as a refuge for domestic violence and very worthwhile it is too.  Sadly, they

have taken on the role of excluding the grandparents on the father’s side even when they have done no wrong. Children and grandparents’ hearts have been broken by this unnecessary move and the sentence was isolation/separation when no crime has been committed. Woman’s Aid refused to meet to discuss this and refused us their constitution.

We have worked very hard as a voluntary organisation and it would be a shame if in a year we could not continue. This year’s drive for cash has only covered the stamp money so unless we get membership and donations the future looks bleak.

Thank you for those who have submitted.

Jimmy Deuchars  (Manager)

Grandparents Apart UK

22 Alness Cresnent

Glasgow G52 1PJ

0141 882 5658

www.grandparentsapart.co.uk

Labour call's for child protection inquiry

Published on Thursday 17 May 2012 09:55

A public inquiry is needed into child protection so people can have confidence in the system, Labour leader Johann Lamont has said.

She repeated the demand in the wake of the case of murdered toddler Declan Hainey.
His mother Kimberley Hainey was jailed for life for the crime, along with failing to report his death and concealing the body in her Paisley flat.
Declan's body was discovered in March 2010 when he would have been 23 months old. Experts said he had been dead for several months.
Ms Lamont raised the case as she called for a full public inquiry into child protection systems across Scotland.

While a significant case review into Declan's' death said there were at least 16 points where action was needed, inspectors examining child protection in the area had claimed it was "excellent", she told the First Minister.
Ms Lamont urged: "Will the First Minister please order a full public inquiry into child protection, not just in Renfrewshire but across Scotland, so the public can have confidence that our systems are protecting the most vulnerable children?"
Alex Salmond told the Labour leader his Government was taking action, bringing forward legislation to "ensure all children's services have a strong focus on early-years prevention and early intervention".
He insisted: "We are not in the slightest complacent about the tragedies that have occurred."
But he said: "The responsibility for wrongdoing and for the most tragic cases does at the end of the day lie with the perpetrator."

Sunday Post on Dedicated Mnister for Older People.

Government told to reconsider court restrictions on independent social workers

By Janaki Mahadevan, Thursday 19 April 2012

Criticism of independent social workers is not grounded in evidence, researchers from Oxford University have found.

Family courts have been told to reduce the reliance on independent social workers.

The Family Justice Review, which published its final report in November last year, called for independent social workers to only be employed in family courts in exceptional circumstances.
It cited delays in the system and duplication of evidence as reasons for the restricted use of the specialist professionals.
But research from Oxford University, based on 65 cases concerning 121 children, found that cases referred to independent social workers involved children and parents with multiple problems.
In nearly half of the cases, the social workers had conducted work that had not already been undertaken by local authorities. Where reports were delayed, in most cases it was due to change in circumstances of the cases. On all other occasions, the reports were filed to the lead solicitor on time.
John Simmonds, policy director at the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said: “It is clear that there needs to be a re-evaluation of the negative picture that is currently driving reform.
"This must include a robust evaluation of what is at danger of being lost to court processes that make life-changing decisions on the future of children.”
Most of the cases examined by the researchers involved children aged six or younger who were subject to concerns or allegations of failed parenting.
On average, the specialist social workers had 24 years' experience in the children's social care profession.
Hilton Dawson, chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers, said:
“At last we have an evidence base to give us a true indication of the value added to family court proceedings by highly experienced independent social workers. The research challenges the views presented in the Family Justice Review.”
The report concluded that if the government moves forward with the recommendations of the Family Justice Review, without further research into the impact of independent social workers, it risks failing children and increasing delays.
Philip King, director of the Confederation of Independent Social Work Agencies, said: “With a dramatic rise in the numbers of children coming into care, the research highlights that courts may be severely hampered by a lack of access to these experts who have been shown to be able to provide high-quality, forensic reports to meet deadlines.
“The government needs to urgently rethink its policy towards social work experts if it is to meet its own agenda for more decisive and speedier justice for the most vulnerable children within our society.”

Magazine wants your story. Fee offered.

 Hi there

I'm a writer for Grazia magazine and I was wondering whether you might be able to help with a case study search.

I'm urgently looking to speak to a woman who lost custody of her children in a divorce because she was a working mum, and her husband argued that she worked too many hours to care for their child/children.

Do you think there's any way you might know of someone who would consider sharing her story?

Age-wise we're looking for someone who's 39 or under, and we'd want her to be pictured in the magazine. I can guarantee that the feature will be handled very sensitively and sympathetically, and we can read
the piece back to whoever we speak to before it goes to press to make sure that it's all accurate and that she's 100% happy with it.

We can also pay her a fee to say thanks for taking the time to speak to us, and of course we'd be happy to credit your organisation so that other women affected by this issue can seek help.

In view of the fact that many of our readers are working mothers, we're keen to highlight this extremely important issue, and would appreciate any help on this.

I'd be more than grateful if you could get back to me as soon as possible.

Many thanks and kind regards,


Caroline

Disadvantaged Scottish families less likely to access health visitor checks

http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1072814/disadvantaged-scottish-children-access-health-visitor-checks?utm_content=&utm_campaign=Early%20Years%20Now&utm_source=Children%20%26%20Young%20People%20Now&utm_medium=adestra_email&utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cypnow.co.uk%2Fcyp%2Fnews%2F1072814%2Fdisadvantaged-scottish-children-access-health-visitor-checks

An Easter Message

If Jesus was born in today’s troubled times would the same thing happen?

The Mission of Jesus

Jesus was born, in a stable, so unkind
His mission on earth was for the sake of mankind.
He was raised in a family who were workers in wood
and his life on this earth was only for good

He was an ordinary lad growing up in hard times
But in him stirred something that was spiritually fine
He confounded the wise men with wisdom and lore
And cleared out the temple and told them 'no more'

The story of old is that he healed all the sick
some people thought it was some kind of trick.
tis what YOU believe that matters to you
so listen to his teaching and follow him too.

The priests at the time were so unkind
If people believed Jesus, then they would find
That they were controlled by lies and deceit
his truth would leave the church facing defeat.

So they plotted against him and brought him to trial
His followers were frightened and uttered denial
the crucifixion carried out was a terrible blow
Now the truth for mankind, will they never know?

But Jesus’ mission was clear and precise
A message so simple is for all to be nice
‘to love one another as he has loved you’
If you follow this teaching, God will bless you.
 
Jimmy

Jimmy Deuchars 0141 882 5658

Family courts and how incompetent (but highly paid) so-called experts are failing children

 

By Professor Jane Ireland

PUBLISHED: 22:49, 13 March 2012 | UPDATED: 22:49, 13 March 2012

The welfare of children is at the heart of the family courts system. These courts deal with incredibly sensitive, highly emotional cases, involving questions of custody, abuse, neglect, adoption and access.

The futures of the most vulnerable in our society can be affected for ever by the decisions of judges, particularly where there is pressure to remove a child from the parental home.


The awareness of such vulnerability has increased dramatically in recent years due to a string of well-reported cases such as those of Baby P, the 17-month-old boy from Haringey who was killed by his mother and her boyfriend, with a number of failings noted in those professionals tasked with protecting the child.

Vulnerable: The tragic death of Baby P highlighted the importance of sound judgements in family courts

Such cases have led to mounting anxiety about child protection.

Consequently, it is vital the family courts have all the necessary advice and evidence so they can reach the best-informed decisions.

Crucial

The possibility that this is being compromised by psychological ‘experts’ who do not have the qualifications, skills or knowledge for this crucial role is extremely concerning.


A number of these family cases require forensic or clinical expertise from expert witnesses, and yet this is not always evident in the experience of those asked to give their professional opinions.


Where children’s lives and futures are concerned, the courts should rely on the very best expertise from psychologists and related experts, such as psychiatrists, who really understand issues like personality disorder, sexual offending and domestic violence.


Yet, based on research I conducted as a forensic psychologist at the University of Central Lancashire and Mersey Care NHS Trust, this does not always seem to be the case.

 

The study, carried out by a team at the university, was commissioned by the Family Justice Council, and explored in detail expert witness reports submitted by psychologists to family courts.


The Family Justice Council was set up by the government in 2004 to ensure that children’s needs are met within the judiciary, and was keen to explore the quality of the evidence being submitted to the family courts.


Having examined the files on no fewer than 127 cases from the family courts in which psychological ‘experts’ were involved, the results were concerning — indicating an absence of qualifications and competence across a number of areas.


‘Experts’ were found to be conducting assessments covering crucial family issues without having the experience to do so, and certainly without use of the most up-to-date and accepted methods of assessing risk.

'Expert' witnesses are influencing decisions that could be life-changing for children (picture posed by model)

Equally concerning is evidence from the report that the majority of experts are not in practice, so they are not routinely treating clients or working as part of a wider service.


Instead, there appear to be a growing number who are ‘professional’ expert witnesses, whose only practice is in providing assessments to a court.


It certainly suggests a living can be made out of this work alone, even though the more traditional approach was for an expert in practice to be called upon by a court occasionally to provide their experience.


It leaves a range of difficulties. Courts run the risk of utilising unqualified psychologists, or psychologists who are not qualified in the area they claim to be able to testify in.


Courts rely on a single expert in most cases, so the selection of this expert is crucial.


Our research indicated that at least one fifth of all these psychological experts were not properly qualified at all, in the sense that they did not belong to either of the two main UK bodies, the British Psychological Society or the Health Profession Council.


Moreover, in conducting assessments of families, at least 20 per cent of them strayed far beyond their own field of experience, something that has the potential to be highly risky in child cases.


For example, we found evidence of witnesses commenting on sex offenders even though they had not practised in this area, or commenting on mental illness without ever working in that field.

Career witnesses: There are 'experts' who make a living from psychological assessments without being in practise

Indeed, the study found that fully 90 per cent of the witness reports were written by ‘experts’ who were not actually engaged in psychological practice at the time.


The quality of a large number of the reports was also low. Our analysis found that 65 per cent were rated as either ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ — a remarkable statistic.


The research team found a bewildering array of difficulties in how the reports had been conducted. Some ‘experts’ did not seem to value the importance of conducting interviews with those family members they had been asked to assess.


There was also an overuse of psychological tests, many of which had no clinical value or were ‘made up’ by the psychologist involved.


There was also evidence of antiquated intelligence tests — more than 20 years out of date — being employed.


We also found evidence of witness reports comprised of a range of emotive judgments that were more opinions than professional assessments.


For example, statements like ‘a self-centred young woman’ or, in rather quaint language, ‘an uncouth child’.

Confused

One man was described as adopting ‘an over-familiar, conspiratorial manner’, while, in another case, a family dog was said to be ‘extremely well-behaved and extremely patient despite constant teasing from the children’. ‘She can be fun to be with’, read one rather unhelpful report.


Sometimes the judgments were wholly inappropriate. ‘Miss X is an attractive mum and has a lovely personality.’


Others were chaotically structured, failed to answer vital questions, or just regurgitated previous assessments.


‘No numbered paragraphs, no glossary, nothing,’ was the verdict by my team on one such report. ‘Simply hopelessly confused,’ was another verdict.


One could ask what encourages a psychologist to become involved in such work. Some will undoubtedly do it out of a desire to protect children. However, it is clear that a career and a living can be made from such work.


On average. experts charge £120 an hour for assessing families and compiling reports. So this is a well-paid profession with tariffs set far higher than for many psychologists working in a full psycho- logical practice.


A complex two-parent assessment for a court case could easily bring in more than £4,000, as a minimum. In our study, one expert laid claim to writing more than 200 reports in the past year, while another put on their CV that they had completed ‘over 1,000 reports’.


What family courts need from psychological experts are authoritative judgments, informed by the latest knowledge in the psychological profession within which experts practise.

Fearful

This is all the more important given the growing numbers of children who are now being taken into care in the wake of cases such as Baby P.


Understandably, social services departments are now fearful of leaving children in the care of parents who pose any risk — which, in itself, could lead to the removal of children more quickly, and subsequently the involvement of experts in helping to assess such parents.


In the past month alone, local councils made no fewer than 903 applications to the courts to take youngsters into care, an astonishing rate of 225 per week.


In total in 2011/12, 9,299 applications for care were made by local authorities, an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year.


Those figures show the vital need for the courts to be assisted to do their jobs effectively. But that will not be done while non-experts potentially mislead judges with evidence which is not up to standard.


Family courts clearly operate within the confines of confidentiality in an attempt to protect the interests of children.


This inadvertently may have allowed for experts to avoid the close scrutiny — from both their peers and the public — which they might be exposed to in other courts.


In short, family courts — perhaps more than any others — deserve the best service experts can give.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2114616/Family-courts-incompetent-highly-paid-called-experts-failing-children.html#ixzz1pHW36652

"We need a Minister for Older People"

By Iain Harrison and Kirsten Mann
writing in The Sunday Post

ALEX Salmond is coming under pressure to appoint a minister for older people. Campaign group Grandparents Apart wants the Scottish Government to follow Ireland, Canada and New Zealand’s lead and create a dedicated champion for the over-60s. Founder Jimmy Deuchars has lodged a petition at Holyrood to set the wheels in motion for the appointment.

MSPs have agreed to debate the idea later this month.

Under the proposals, the minister would have responsibility for issues including fuel poverty, care home charges and home help provision. They would also be expected to hold cabinet secretaries to account and ensure the needs of pensioners are represented. The calls for a dedicated minister for older people come after research showed the elderly feel society treats them badly.

Grandfather-of-six Jimmy, 67, said: “Older people are treated like dirt in this country. “Thousands are separated from their grandchildren and have no rights. Others are frightened to go out after dark. “Many more feel lonely and isolated and as though they’ve been thrown on the scrapheap.” He added: “Despite making up 40% of the electorate there is no minister dedicated to their wellbeing. “This needs to change.

“We need someone devoted to looking after older people’s welfare.” The Scottish Government already has a minister for children and a commissioner for children and young people.

But Deputy First Minister and Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, who has the biggest portfolio of any cabinet member, is responsible for the elderly. Jimmy claims she’s too busy dealing with political issues to prioritise pensioners. He complained: “Nicola Sturgeon doesn’t even answer my letters and her boss, Alex Salmond, doesn’t appear interested in families.

“I’ve had countless replies from MSPs about the plight of grandparents who have approached our group for help but none were satisfactory. “It seems to me that older people are forgotten when it comes to making important national decisions.

“This causes distress, despair and depression.” Several countries already boast a minister for older people, while a commissioner is in place in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Labour’s Jackie Baillie, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, believes an old people’s tsar is needed in Scotland but stopped short of calling for a dedicated minister.

She said: “Older people and their relatives can feel powerless and confused in navigating our care systems and when things go wrong they feel nothing is done. “As our population ages, Scotland’s older people need someone on their side. But it should be someone independent of Government.”

Pensioners’ charity Age Scotland was similarly reticent. A spokeswoman said: “Nicola Sturgeon currently has older people as part of her ministerial remit, so arguably there is already a route for older people’s issues to be raised right at the heart of Government.

“Although a separate minister for older people might send a positive signal, we would need to see strong evidence of the value that this could bring and would have concerns that it might relocate responsibility for older people at a more junior ministerial level.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government responded: “Protecting the rights of older people is a key priority.

“We’ve brought down household bills by freezing the council tax, abolished prescription charges and protected key services including free personal care, eye tests and concessionary travel.

“We would be happy to meet Mr Deuchars to discuss our joint commitment to helping older people.”

We look at the main issues that would face a minister for older people

PENSIONS

Lack of income is unquestionably one of the biggest causes for concern. Britain’s state pension is one of the least generous in the developed world and many private funds have huge deficits.

While a minister for older people in Scotland would have no power over pensions, it is hoped they would take on a campaigning role.

FUEL POVERTY

Fuel poverty is on the rise, affecting 55% of single pensioners and 45% of couples. To make matters worse winter fuel payments — governed by Westminster — were reduced last year.

The Scottish Government does have a package designed to assist those in fuel poverty but critics claim it’s not enough. The minister would be expected to lobby cabinet to extend it and apply pressure to energy firms to lower prices.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Good health care allows people to stay in their home longer, while good home care allows people to stay out of hospital. The minister could look at creating an integrated health and social care system which would stop people being shunted between services.

SOCIAL ISOLATION

Many elderly people rely on befriending services and community transport to allow valuable interaction with the communities in which they live. Some services have been withdrawn and it is feared looming cuts will worsen the situation. A dedicated minister could help ensure local authorities have enough money, as well as an obligation, to make these services accessible to all.

GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS

IN Scotland, grandparents can apply for access to their grandchildren without permission from the courts first, but there is no automatic right.

The rights of their children’s children are set out in the Charter for Grandchildren. There are calls for these guidelines to be made legally binding.

FUNERAL COSTS

Soaring numbers of hard-up pensioners are being buried in paupers’ graves. Across Britain around 21,000 die every year without the money for funeral bills and with no relatives willing or able to pay. In some cases they are interred along with strangers in communal graves containing up to five bodies.

Campaigners believe this is one of the issues a minister for older people could address.

The situation south of the border -There is no dedicated minister for pensioners at Westminster. However, in October, Labour leader Ed Miliband appointed a shadow minister for care and older people.

The following month broadcaster Esther Rantzen handed in a 137,000-signature petition to Downing Street, calling for the role to be created at the heart of the Westminster government.

The petition won support from Scots actor Richard Wilson, actress Linda Robson and broadcasters Tony Robinson and Angela Rippon and more than 80 MPs signed an Early-Day Motion backing the proposal.

So what did people on the street make of the calls for a minister for older people?

Retired secretary Dorothy McLennan (78), from Edinburgh said: “It would be good if there was someone in the Government who would deal specifically with issues affecting older people. The main one for me is waiting lists and waiting times in hospitals and GP surgeries. A lot of elderly folk don’t have relatives to take them and end up sitting in waiting rooms for a long time on their own.”

Elise Theurer (67), from Edinburgh, is a church elder and part-time retail assistant. She says: “In general terms I think it would be a good idea, though obviously how much good they would do would depend on which party was in power.

“I think society is failing older people and that’s because people have a total lack of respect for each other. This would certainly help give is a voice. It’s not easy to live off a pension when rent goes up all the time and council tax has to be paid.”

Richard Forsyth (64), a retired IT consultant who directs Shakespeare plays Traquair House in the Scottish Borders, says: “In principle, as an older person, I think it’s a good idea. There are many issues which they could look at. The bus pass is highly useful, but one thinks it is likely to be taken away soon.

“And living on a fixed income at a time when inflation is about to take off is difficult. As you get older you want to keep warm and the costs of gas and electricity continue to increase.”“

Allan Donnelly (65), a retired Army Cadet executive officer from Dundee, says: “I would say when it comes to the needs of elderly people something is sadly lacking, especially given all the recent revelations about their care in homes and hospitals. There is certainly a need for a spokesperson - a champion for older people’s rights.”

Allan’s wife Patricia (63), a retired café owner, adds: “We took both our mothers in to our own home, but whether or not our children will do that I don’t know. It is no longer in our culture to look after our elders, so what happens to us? It’s a worry.”

Adoption scorecards to reveal council performance

Highest Score wins the bonuses. Grandparents Apart UK

By Lauren Higgs Wednesday, 14 March 2012

 

Local authority performance on adoption targets is to be rated using a new system of scorecards.

Cards designed to strengthen local authority accountability on adoption. Image: Lorne Campbell/Guzelian

The proposal, contained in the government’s Action Plan for Adoption, is intended to "shine a light" on which local authorities are doing well on adoptions, and which need to improve.
It is part of a series of recommendations designed to strengthen local authority accountability on adoption and overhaul the assessment system for prospective adopters.
The new scorecards will be published in a matter of weeks and will highlight three key indicators.

The first will measure the average time it takes for a child identified for adoption to actually move in with their new family, the second will look at the proportion of children who wait longer for adoption than they should, and the third will measure the average time it takes to match a child to an adoptive family.

Meanwhile the assessment process for new adopters is to be shortened to six months. This will consist of a two-month pre-qualification stage, followed by a four-month full assessment.

There will be a fast-track process for people who have adopted before, or who are already approved foster carers who wish to adopt a child in their care. The government will consult on the necessary regulatory changes later this year.
In addition, a new "national gateway" for adoption will provide a first point of contact for anyone interested in adoption through a telephone helpline and website.
Education Secretary Michael Gove said the case for urgent and radical reform of the adoption system is clear. "For too long, children in care have been let down by local authorities and the family justice system," he said.

"I believe scorecards will shine a light on which authorities are doing well and which ones need to improve. Local authorities should be in no doubt that we expect to see improvements in the coming months."
Martin Narey, the government’s ministerial adviser on adoption, said the action plan would lead to radical improvements in the adoption system.
"The government's unequivocal message today is not about how much delay is acceptable," he said. "It makes clear that no amount of delay is acceptable."
But Matt Dunkley, president of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, warned that local authorities could not reform the adoption system alone.
"Any attempts to improve performance of individual local authorities must take the performance of the wider system into account – without that, there is a limit to what local authorities can achieve," he said.
Nushra Mansuri, professional officer from the British Association of Social Workers, added: "Adoption league tables or score cards will not give an accurate picture of how well local authorities are supporting vulnerable children."
She went on: "In essence, we are going back to a discredited system that merely perpetuates the blame culture and undermines social workers’ confidence in making decisions about children, as they contemplate how this will impact on their council’s 'score'."

Government releases strategy to combat poverty and promote social justice

We'll believe it when we see it. Grandparents Apart UK.

By Tristan DonovanTuesday, 13 March 2012

 

The government has set out its comprehensive blueprint for improving the life chances of the most vulnerable families today (13 March).

Strategy aims to make a positive difference to all struggling families. Image: Christopher Jones

The Social Justice Strategy is intended to co-ordinate work across central government to help families facing multiple disadvantages.
It emphasises the importance of joint working and looks at how a mix of public, private and voluntary sector organisations can deliver intervention services at local level, to prevent vulnerable families from reaching crisis point.
"The fact is that many families and children come into regular contact with government agencies throughout their lives," said Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith.

"They will be meeting with health visitors, social workers, school officials and even Jobcentre staff. It’s at these critical points that we must be more joined up, more brave and offer help to people to turn their lives around."

The strategy highlights measures already annouced by government, including the drive to turn around the fortunes of 120,000 "troubled families", extra funding for relationship support and the pledge to double the reach of the Family Nurse Partnership programme.

It also cites government's investment in 4,200 new health visitors and the extension of free early education provision to disadvantaged two year olds as measures that will help tackle social injustice.
Meanwhile the strategy restates the government’s intent to support marriage and reverse the so-called "couples penalty" in the welfare system.
"When families break down, the consequences can be severe," Duncan Smith said. "That means we have to get behind stable families, not shrug our shoulders when they fall apart."
Anne Longfield, chief executive of the children’s charity 4Children, said: "The publication of the Social Justice Strategy is an important next step in plans to redraw support for families by intervening early and helping them to turn around their problems and prevent crisis."
She added: "The government’s bold strategy, which focuses on the prevention of crisis, has the potential to make a positive difference to all those families who are struggling."

Tri-borough councils reveal plans to speed up care proceedings

 

By Tristan DonovanFriday, 09 March 2012

 

Three London boroughs are to trial a new approach to managing care proceedings in a bid to speed up the time it takes for decisions on children's futures to be made.

Designated days will be set aside for care cases at the Inner London and City Family Proceedings Court. Image: David McCullough

The Care Proceedings Pilot by Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea councils, which merged their children’s services departments last year, is a response to the Family Justice Review, which called on family courts to complete all public law cases within six months.

The £50,000 project will start in April and requires the boroughs to produce prompt assessments that conform to set standards. Judges will bear in mind the child’s timescales when making decisions, to reduce any delays, and designated days will be set aside for care cases at the Inner London and City Family Proceedings Court.

The boroughs will also hire a case manager to co-ordinate about 100 cases across the three boroughs each year. It will be their job to track and chase the progress of each case and make sure the six-month deadline is met. Case reviews will be conducted after each case is concluded, to inform future practice.
Andrew Christie, head of children’s services for the three boroughs, said: "While the measurable focus of this pilot might be to speed up family court proceedings and hit the six-month target, the overarching aim is to achieve greater permanency and emotional stability for vulnerable children in our care."
Steve Miley, director of families services at Hammersmith & Fulham, said the year-long pilot was only possible because of the three boroughs merging.
"One borough on its own wouldn’t be able to do this. It’s because of the pooling of resources that this can work," he said. "For example, when our combined fostering and adoption service starts work in April that will make it easier to deliver assessments on time. It’s about maximising the benefits of us coming together as three councils."

The local authorities also expected to save money as a result of the pilot through reduced legal bills and demand on care placements and social worker time.

At present, care proceedings in the three boroughs take in the region of 55 to 65 weeks to deal with

Adoption reforms to 'tear down barriers', pledges Cameron

Children for sale or rent. Apply to David Cameron.  Grandparents Apart UK

By Tristan Donovan Friday, 09 March 2012

 

David Cameron today outlined plans to "tear down the barriers" to adoption and outlined the key measures in the government's Adoption Action Plan, ahead of its publication next week.

Cameron: 'Young lives are being wasted while the process takes its toll.' Image: Crown copyright

Under the measures, councils will be required by law to refer children to the national adoption register if the authority does not find them an adoptive family within three months. The plan will also make matching the ethnic backgrounds of children and their adopters a lower priority than finding them a new home.
"There’s no more urgent task for government than this," said the Prime Minister. "Young lives are being wasted while the process takes its toll."
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) backed the government’s plans. Matt Dunkley, president of the ADCS, said requiring children to be referred to the national register would "mean that children don’t wait unnecessarily".

But other organisations were more cautious in their support. "A primary focus on speed means that the most important issue – the welfare of the child – could potentially be overshadowed," said Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the child protection charity NSPCC. "The government needs to put in place safeguards to ensure this is not the case."

The Local Government Association said that the government must take care not to impose more targets and red tape on the adoption system with its plans.
The British Association of Social Workers accused Cameron of seeking quick fixes and ignoring the problem of adoption breakdowns in his plans. "We believe that one in five adoptions breaks down and the child is separated from the adoptive family," said Hilton Dawson, the chief executive of BASW. "The issue is being swept under the carpet; the government is not even keeping data on the rate of adoption breakdown."
He added that the plans to reduce the emphasis on a child’s ethnic background was a mistake: "A child’s ethnic heritage is important, and taking a colour-blind approach to adoption simply will not be in the best interests of the child."
The government’s plans also include new legislation to make it easier for children to be fostered by approved adopters while the courts consider the case for adoption

Number of homeless families on the rise

 

By Joe LepperThursday, 08 March 2012

 

The number of homeless families with children is increasing, according to latest government figures.

There were 36,600 households with children or a pregnant family member living in temporary accommodation at the end of last year. Image: Arlen Connelly

Statistics for the last quarter of 2011 show 8,110 families with dependent children were accepted as homeless by councils. This is up 1,530 on figures for the same period the previous year and up 230 on the previous quarter.
The figures show at the end of last year there were 36,600 households with children or a pregnant family member living in temporary accommodation in total. This represents three-quarters of all households living in temporary accommodation. Altogether, there were 69,460 children or expected children in temporary accommodation.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) predicts the figures will rise further when the government’s Welfare Reform Bill becomes law. The plans to cap benefits for households at £26,000 a year is set to hit those living in high rent areas, such as London, the hardest.

CPAG spokesman Tim Nichols said: "Our concern is that this is an early warning of the impact of the government’s plans around housing benefit cuts. Alarm bells should be ringing for ministers and civil servants in Whitehall. We are expecting this will be worse in London."
Among those families with children in temporary accommodation, 1,310 were in bed and breakfast accommodation. At the end of last year 450 had been in bed and breakfast accommodation for at least six weeks.
The figures also show a slight fall in the number of 16- to 24-year-olds accepted as homeless by councils, from 4,430 during the third quarter of 2011 to 4,310 during the final three months of the year.
The total number of people classified as homeless leapt by 14 per cent between 2010 and 2011.

Scotish parliament;- Dedicated Minister for Older People

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_PublicPetitionsCommittee/Petitions/PE1419_Final_Template_28.02.12.pdf

 

(For official use only) PUBLIC PETITION NO.

PE  1419

PLEASE REFER TO GUIDANCE NOTES AT THE BACK OF THIS FORM.

1. Name of petitioner

Jimmy Deuchars

2. Petition title

Petition for the Scottish Government to create a dedicated Minister for older people.

3. Petition text

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to create a dedicated Minister for older people Older people are fast becoming one of the largest groups in Scotland: the country now has a greater number of people aged 60 and over than it does people aged 16 and under.  Life expectancy will only continue to increase, and our Government will face significant challenges as it prepares to serve the ageing population. The UK has no choice but to ensure that older people can live comfortably and enjoy dignity and respect in their later years.  Despite making up 40% of voters, there is no Government minister dedicated to the well-being of older people. Older people’s issues are scattered throughout various Government departments. What is sorely lacking is a centralised Government portfolio that prioritises the needs of older people and ensures that their views and interests receive dedicated attention.  Many governments around the world, including those of Ireland and Canada, currently have a dedicated Minister for older people, and it is high time Scotland followed suit. Both Wales and Northern Ireland have appointed an Older People’s Commissioner, but all older people living in Scotland deserve a centralised ministerial post that looks after their needs.  Older people are people to be proud of; people to respect; people who deserve someone at the highest level to look after their interests.  We, therefore, call on our Government to provide real leadership for scotlands older people: to listen to their issues, give voice to them, and help all Scottish citizens enjoy happy living in the years ahead.

4. Action taken to resolve issues of concern before submitting the petition

Setting up a Political Party and running for parliament in the 2011 elections. Constant approaches to MSPs  by members of Grandparents Apart UK to resolve family problems and being older people as well it is double the pain and hurt.

5. Petition background information

By running a grandparent’s charity we find that older people and grandparents are not treated as well as they should be. Some are living in real poverty with having to make decisions as to feed themselves or heat themselves as they cannot now do both.

6. Do you wish your petition to be hosted on the Parliament’s website as an e-petition?

YES (Delete as appropriate).   If you answer “NO” please proceed to section 9.

7. Closing date for e-petition

1st October 2012

8. Comments to stimulate on-line discussion

82% of older people’s real and psychosomatic illnesses are caused by loneliness and separation from their family.  It would appear that older people are forgotten when it comes to making national decisions by all political parties. This causes great distress, hopelessness and depression for older people. A dedicated minister would put more heart and hope into older people giving them the importance and respect due to them and reversing the feeling of being (thrown on the scrap heap)

9. Administrative information (not for publication)
Name	Jimmy Deuchars
Address	22 Alness Crescent Glasgow G52 1PJ
Telephone nos.	Home:0141 882 5658 Mobile:07792392220
E-mail address	jimmd@sky.com
No. of petition signatures
Statement to the committee Should the Public Petitions Committee consider it necessary to broaden its understanding of your petition, it may ask a petitioner to appear before it to speak and answer questions. If asked, would you wish to appear?
YES / NO     (Delete as appropriate).
Signature of principal petitioner When satisfied that your petition meets all the criteria outlined in How to submit a public petition the principal petitioner should sign and date below.
Signature Jimmy Deuchars…    Date 30th September 2011……………………..
Completed forms should be returned to— The Clerk to the Public Petitions Committee The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh, EH99 1SP          petitions@scottish.parliament.uk                Tel: 0131 348 5982 Fax: 0131 348 5088 www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/petitions/index.htm http://scottishparliamentpetitions.blogspot.com/ Section 100 of the Postal Service Act 2000 provides that petitions can be posted to the Parliament free of charge if handed in at a post office. To make use of this service, the envelope should be clearly marked "Petition to the Scottish Parliament" and should use the postal address provided below.