31st May

Government attempts to 'simplify' school admissions code
The government has set in motion plans to allow academies and free schools to prioritise children from low-income families as part of its attempts to reform the admissions code.

The government has set out its proposals to reform the schools admissions code. Image: Alex Deverill

Launching its consultation on 27th May, the Department for Education (DfE) said the proposed code would be simpler, fairer and more transparent for parents.

Plans to "slim down" the existing admissions code were first set out in the Schools White Paper last year.

The proposals for a new code will allow popular schools to expand to make it easier for them to take on more pupils and would ban local authorities from using area-wide school place "lotteries".

Measures would also be included that allow priority to be given to children of school staff when a school is over-subscribed and allow twins and other multiple-birth children to be admitted to infant classes even if it takes the class over the 30-child limit.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "The school system has rationed good schools. Some families can go private or move house. Many families cannot afford to do either. The system must change. Schools should be run by teachers who know the children’s names and they should be more accountable to parents, not politicians. Good schools should be able to grow and we need more of them. The admissions code has been bureaucratic and unfair. You shouldn’t have to hire a lawyer to navigate the school system. We are trying to simplify it and make it fairer."

To reduce levels of bureaucracy, the government has proposed that parents be given at least 30 days to lodge an appeal against primary or secondary school decisions, an increase on the current 10-day limit.

The rule that currently bans appeals from being heard on school premises will also be overturned and the regulation for admission authorities to advertise for lay appeal members every three years will be cut.

As well as proposals for the revised code, the government has announced that Dr Elizabeth Passmore will replace Dr Ian Craig as the new chief schools adjudicator.

Responding to the draft code Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "These are a very disparate set of proposals whose unifying theme appears to be to destroy the strategic role of the local authority and cause divisions in the education provision afforded to children and young people.

"Allocating school places is a complicated process and it is essential that there is a body which maintains an overview. To weaken the role of local authorities in this process is a recipe for disaster.

"This code will not require every school to give priority to those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds and as it only applies to academies and free schools, it is unlikely to be much used.  A far better approach would be to put in place measures to support and encourage those schools which are facing challenges. 

"The idea that primary class sizes could go beyond 30 for whatever reason is a backward step.

"While no one would argue against a reduction in bureaucracy, to throw away the expertise, oversight and accountability measures of the local authority are wrong. This will lead to more problems than it will ever solve. Yet again we see decisions being made based on politics not rationale."

source: Janaki Mahadevan, Children & Young People Now

27th May

Warning: Measles Outbreak Strikes Across UK
Britain is facing a measles outbreak with nearly more cases reported in the first three months of this year than the whole of 2010.

The rise has sparked health officials to urge eveyone to ensure they are immunised against the potentially deadly infection.

Data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed 334 confirmed cases of measles to the end of April in England and Wales - compared with 374 in all of last year.

London was the worst affected area, with 104 cases, while the North East of England and Wales fared best with no cases reported.

Small outbreaks have been noted in universities, schools and within individual families while some people caught the disease abroad as Europe faced a surge in measles cases.

In mid-April, the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned of more than 6,500 cases of measles in 33 countries, with France being worst-hit with almost 5,000 cases.

In England and Wales, the under-25s were most affected in the first three months of the year. The vast majority had not had the vaccine against the disease.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of the HPA's immunisation department, said immunisation was important.

"Although MMR coverage has improved over the last few years, we cannot stress enough that measles is serious and, in some cases, it can be fatal," she said.

"Measles is a highly infectious and potentially dangerous illness which spreads very easily.

"Whether you stay here in the UK or travel abroad, it is crucial that individuals who may be at risk are fully immunised."

The most recent UK figures for uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab, covering September to December 2010, showed 89.4% of children had received their first dose by the age of two.

By age five, 84.8% of children had received their second dose.

Both are slightly up on previous figures.

source: Sky News

23rd May

Universal credit will deter single parents from full-time work
Single parents wanting to work full-time will be worse off when the universal credit is implemented, according to the latest analysis of government welfare reforms.

Childcare support and the hours trap by charity Gingerbread and think tank the Resolution Foundation estimates that single parents on the minimum wage will lose 94p out of every pound they earn over 24 hours a week due to the high cost of childcare.

The report adds that the government will fail its own test of "making work pay" when the universal credit is launched in 2013.

Gingerbread chief executive Fiona Weir said: "Prime Minister David Cameron’s high profile pledge to single parents to make work pay will be broken unless the Treasury can find extra funding for childcare."

The research also looked at the earnings of couples and found that a second earner in a couple with two children on the living wage will keep only 9p out of every pound earned over 20 hours a week. If they work more than 30 hours a week they will take home no extra cash at all.

For single parents with a minimum wage job a switch from one to two full days a week will earn just £7.50 extra. A single parent on the same wage switching from three to four days a week will bring in only £3 more each week.

This is the latest report to suggest that the universal credit will be a disincentive for families to work full-time. A report by Family Action released in November last year estimated that 1.35m households will be worse off under the new system.

The universal credit is the centrepiece of the Welfare Reform Bill, which has just completed the committee stage in parliament.

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesman said that parents will be supported with childcare costs through the universal credit. "We are looking at how best this support can be allocated to individuals to ensure that parents have an incentive to work, whilst targeting support at those most in need," he said. "We have been taking time to consider this issue carefully, and have been working closely with relevant organisations, like Gingerbread, on the rate at which childcare will be paid and the way this support will be delivered."

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now

19th May

Cuts 'put mental health early intervention at risk'
Public sector cuts are threatening to undermine early intervention work to support young people with mental health problems, according to NHS employers. 

The NHS Confederation’s mental health network report found that NHS providers are having to merge early intervention in psychosis services with community mental health teams to cut costs.

This is leading to "a real risk" that the government’s drive to invest in early intervention services "won’t deliver", said the network.

The network’s director Steve Shrubb said: "This report sets out the rationale, the supporting evidence and the cost benefits of early intervention in psychosis services. It is one of the keys to improving mental health services and national mental wellbeing.
 
"The problem is that in these times of such intense spending pressures the incentives to invest in these services, risks being crowded out by much shorter term pressures."

The report says investment in supporting young people with mental health problems can help turn around lives and save money in the long term.

It adds: "Adolescence and emerging adulthood are a high-risk time for developing mental disorders; in England 7,500 young people develop an emerging psychosis each year. The early phase of psychosis is a critical period affecting long-term outcomes.

"Failure to intervene early often has huge significant personal costs in terms of an individual having reduced capacity to reach their social, emotional and vocational potential, as well as wider social and economic costs."

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now

18th May

Teather admits difficulty in implementing SEN proposals
Children's minister Sarah Teather has conceded the government faces a "difficult" task to implement proposals in its disability and special education needs (SEN) green paper.

In evidence to the House of Commons education select committee hearing on the green paper, Teather said that the proposals represent a "huge cultural shift" for councils, families and health trusts.

The plans include bringing in a single assessment, which will be piloted from September in 25 areas.

She said: "Trying to get the health service, along with education and social care to join up together is something I recognise that my predecessors who have sat before you probably tried and promised to do before. I know it's difficult. We are determined to make that work."

A lack of parental choice in the green paper was a concern of committee chair Graham Stuart MP.

He asked Teather why the green paper precludes parents from stating a preference in a specialist, non-maintained school, when for parents with children with severe disabilities the independent sector would often be their first choice.

Teather said: "We recognised that the independent sector has an enormous amount to offer. We are trying to ensure there’s a more diverse range of schools, making sure the mainstream sector is offering genuine quality."

She added that if the specialist provision was not available in the state sector then "being sent to an independent school should be the outcome".

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now

16th May

Lack of carers sees teenagers miss out on foster placements
Fostering services are reporting a shortage of carers for teenagers, according to a survey to promote Foster Care Fortnight (May 16-29).

The survey of 128 fostering services by the Fostering Network found that almost all (98 per cent) had a shortage of foster families for teenagers. Foster carers were particularly needed for 11- to 15-year-olds.

The "Baby P effect" has also caused a surge in demand for foster care placements among teenagers.  

Half of those surveyed said pressure to meet demand for teenage foster placements is worse than last year, four out of 10 said it was just as bad.

Other trends highlighted by the network include councils prioritising local placements for babies and young children and leaving teenagers living far from home. Many other looked-after teenagers are in residential care when foster care would be more suitable.

Fostering Network chief executive Robert Tapsfield urged more families to become foster carers for teenagers. In particular fostering services are looking for those with experience of working with teenagers.

He said: "It's a real concern that not enough people are coming forward to offer homes to teenagers. Foster care provides a stable, safe and caring home for children going through a tough time. Teenagers are missing out at a stage in their lives when a good foster family could make all the difference, helping them to achieve at school and prepare for adult life."

Louise Groves, a foster carer who specialises in looking after teenagers, added: "So often we focus on the stereotype of teenagers being hard work, but in my experience they are fun and fascinating individuals."

London mayor Boris Johnson is also calling on families to consider fostering, as an estimated 2,000 more carers are needed in the capital.

He is particularly concerned about the lack of fosterers for teenagers. He said: "It is an appalling situation, and a sad one, that London’s teenagers are missing out on the foster homes they need.

"Childhood and our teenage years should be about making friends, learning, exploration and discovery, not worrying about our home life. Come on London, now is the time to care."

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now

12th May

Teen involvement crucial to successful transition to adult mental health services
Teenagers with mental health problems need to be more closely involved in their transition from children's to adult services, according to a study by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).

In its latest research briefing on mental health services, it found that too often young people and their families feel left out of the process of switching to adult support.

Other concerns were a lack of consistency in eligibility for young people’s and adult mental health services. Adult mental health support was being denied to some young people because thresholds were too high.

Amanda Edwards, SCIE deputy chief executive, said: "A key recommendation within the research briefing is that young people must have consistent support and participate in the process at this important stage of transition in their lives. We do not want young people ceasing to use a mental health service only to see them return when crisis occurs."

Other hallmarks of a successful transition from young people’s to adult mental health support were designing services that took into account the young person’s education, employment, housing and other health needs.

Consistent support from a key worker and non-stigmatising, community-based services were also recommended.

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now

11th May

Think tank blasts performance of coalition's family support policy
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), the think tank set up by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, has criticised the coalition government's track record on supporting families.

To mark the coalition’s first year in power, the CSJ has given ministers just two out of 10 for efforts to prevent family breakdown.

A "paltry" £7.5m has been committed by the coalition to relationship support, the think tank adds in its Coalition Report Card, which also gives scores for ministers’ track record on economic dependency, serious personal debt, drug and alcohol addiction, and educational failure.

It said too much of the government’s support for families is focused on "picking up the pieces after relationships have broken down rather than expanding services designed to prevent family breakdown".

Gavin Poole, CSJ executive director, said: "The government’s first year of action has been mixed. Pioneering progress in pursuing welfare reform and an encouraging new direction for drug and alcohol policy has been undermined by poor implementation of bold education plans, and compromise-driven inaction in tackling our devastating culture of family breakdown."

The report also comes out in favour of the Conservative policy of tax breaks for married couples, which was ditched as part of the coalition agreement with the Lib Dems.

4Children chief executive Anne Longfield welcomed the think tank’s focus on supporting families before they reach crisis point.

She said: "To really strengthen families and reverse high levels of family breakdown, we need to stop patching up problems after they hit crisis point and shift our focus to making prevention and early intervention a reality."

4Children launched a campaign this week called Give me Strength, which calls for greater investment in preventative, early intervention support for families.

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now

10th May

Charities seek to gauge impact of rising childcare costs
Save the Children and Daycare Trust are launching what they hope will be the UK's largest survey on childcare issues.

The survey, which is being sent to 70,000 parents, will look at rising costs of childcare and how it is impacting on parents’ home and working lives.

It is hoped the survey will establish to what extent the high cost of childcare is a barrier to work. The findings will be presented to the government.

With an average full time nursery bill for families of £177 a week, the charities say that those with an income below £12,000 are being priced out of the childcare market.

Low-income families have also been hit by a reduction in childcare costs covered by working tax credits from a maximum of 80 per cent to 70 per cent.

Save the Children head of UK policy Sally Copley said: "Childcare is so expensive it’s becoming a luxury that only families earning a very good wage can comfortably afford. For families on low incomes they simply won’t earn enough to cover their childcare bill as well as living costs, effectively pricing the poorest families out of work."

She added that the charities hope the survey will reveal the impact of childcare costs on Britain’s families so the government can better understand the barrier such costs create.

Anand Shukla, acting chief executive of Daycare Trust, added: "Our research shows that childcare costs have risen every year for the past ten years. We know that childcare is expensive but we need to know how much of a barrier it is to parents being able to find or keep a job." 

The survey is being sent out through childcare providers and can also be accessed via Save the Children’s website: www.savethechildren.org.uk/childcare  

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now

3rd May

Concerns raised over dramatic fall in nursery providers and places
An "alarming" cut in the number of nursery providers and places has been revealed in latest Ofsted figures.

The figures for nurseries show that in March there were 1,715 fewer providers and 53,666 fewer places than in March 2010.

Anand Shukla, acting chief executive of the Daycare Trust, said many providers were struggling financially and urged councils to step in to support those facing closure.

He said: "This emerging trend of childcare places being lost is alarming, particularly given the rising birth rate. We are concerned about business sustainability for childcare providers and it is important that local authorities do all they can to support their local providers, particularly during tough economic periods.  

"Under the Childcare Act, local authorities have a legal duty to ensure there are sufficient childcare places available."

The number of childminders has also fallen over the year. In March 2010, there were 54,025 childminders providing 267,962 places, but by March this year, the number of providers had fallen by 848 and the number of places by 6,697.

A National Childminding Association spokeswoman anticipates a reverse in the figures for childminding as the squeeze on family budgets continues.

She points out that, compared to figures released in December last year, the number of childminders and places rose in March this year.

She said: "We expect the recent trend of an increase in the number of providers to continue. What you tend to find over time when economic conditions are tough is that parents find themselves out of work and turn to childminding as a source of income."

She added that the dramatic fall in nursery places is likely to increase demand for childminding services as tough financial conditions for families continues.

Meanwhile, Ofsted has also published the latest figures from its inspection of childcare providers. Between September 2008 and March this year, 10 per cent of providers were labelled outstanding for their overall effectiveness. Just one per cent were found to be inadequate.

source: Joe Lepper, Children & Young People Now