Working Together to Safeguard Children: revisions to statutory guidance – Home Office
‘Summary of responses we received, along with the government’s response outlining the next steps.’
Home Office, 26th February 2018
Source: www.gov.uk/home-office
Category: child neglect
Parents guilty of amputee baby’s life-changing injuries – BBC News
‘The parents of a six-week-old baby boy have been found guilty of causing him near-fatal injuries which resulted in the amputation of both his legs.’
BBC News, 16th February 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Shannon Matthews: The unravelling of the truth – BBC News
‘It is 10 years since Shannon Matthews was reported missing by her seemingly distraught mother. For 24 days, Karen Matthews played the tearful victim, pleading for the return of her “beautiful princess daughter”. When the nine-year-old was found safe, the woman at the heart of the hunt was exposed as a liar. But has the truth behind the kidnapping hoax been fully revealed?’
BBC News, 19th February 2018
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Parents with Learning Disabilities and a Local Authority’s Responsibilities – Family Law Week
‘Emma Harman, barrister of 3PB, explains the lessons that can be learned from A Local Authority v G (Parent with Learning Disability) [2017] EWFC B94.’
Family Law Week, 18th January 2018
Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk
Local authorities and learning disabled parenting (A Local Authority v CG and others) – Family Law
‘A case concerning the parental suitability of two parents with mental health and learning difficulties offers a number of lessons that can help local authorities to better manage such challenging circumstances. Emma Harman, counsel for the mother, and Omar Malik, for the father, both of 3 Paper Buildings, outline the most salient issues for practitioners and local authorities to be aware of.’
Family Law, 18th January 2018
Source: www.familylaw.co.uk
Child abuse and neglect investigations surge by 60% over 10 years as services reach ‘tipping point’ – The Independent
‘The number of investigations into child abuse and neglect started by local authorities has soared by 60 per cent in the last decade, as councils warn children’s services are reaching “tipping point”.’
The Independent, 11th December 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Children removed after parents’ open relationship contributes to neglect – The Guardian
‘Three children are to be removed from their family home amid concerns that their parents’ “open relationship” may have contributed to neglect. The ruling by a family court judge makes clear that the hearing was concerned only with the impact of the parents’ unusual lifestyle on their young children, who are all under the age of five and will now be placed for adoption.’
The Guardian, 30th November 2017
Source: www.theguardian.com
Dog that killed three-week-old boy belonged to his father – The Independent
‘A father who has admitted that he owned the dog which mauled his 20-day-old baby to death, is facing jail. Ryan Young, 32, initially denied owning the terrier-type dog but changed his plea at Newcastle Crown Court.’
The Independent, 5th June 2017
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Insufficient evidence’ to charge anyone over baby’s death at vicarage – Daily Telegraph
‘The Crown Prosecution Service has said there remains “insufficient evidence” to charge anyone over the death of a baby boy at a vicarage.’
Daily Telegraph, 20th March 2017
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Parents jailed for neglect of children found in filthy Lancashire house – The Guardian
‘A court has jailed the parents of four children all aged under five found living in “feral and dangerous” conditions in a house where excrement was smeared on the walls.’
The Guardian, 9th March 2017
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Poppy Widdison death: Mother and partner guilty of cruelty – BBC News
‘A mother and her ex-partner have been found guilty of child cruelty after feeding drugs to her four-year-old daughter.’
BBC News, 16th December 2016
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Law Society warns on mandatory child abuse reporting duty – Local Government Lawyer
‘A mandatory duty to report child abuse and neglect would simply lead to high volumes of unsubstantiated reports that fall far below the significant harm threshold, the Law Society has warned.’
Local Government Lawyer, 21st October 2016
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Judge voices fears over ‘relentless rise’ in child care cases following Baby P tragedy – Daily Telegraph
‘The effect of the Baby P case has contributed to a “crisis” in the children’s care system, the president of the High Court’s Family Division has said. Sir James Munby called for urgent research into why the number of cases in which children can be separated from their parents on the application of a council had more than doubled in the last decade.’
Latest view from the President’s Chambers
Daily Telegraph, 20th September 2016
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Failure to report child abuse could lead to jail, consultation says – The Guardian
‘School caretakers, secretaries and dinner ladies could face prosecution and possible imprisonment for failing to report signs of child abuse or neglect under official proposals in the wake of the Savile, Rotherham and Rochdale scandals.’
The Guardian, 21st July 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Families hope for answers in Bristol review of hospital child deaths – The Guardian
‘The parents of young children who died on a controversial cardiac ward have spoken of their fears that they might not get the answers they crave ahead of the publication of an independent inquiry into their sons’ care.’
The Guardian, 26th June 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Government’s review of child protection must not undermine vital services – The Guardian
‘The government’s review of local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs), due to report in March, is reshaping the architecture of child protection. LSCBs are tasked with oversight of agencies that protect children, including local authorities, police, schools and health. This is a fundamental review, which implies far-reaching change, and is of huge public interest. The spotlight on this review is made more intense by the cross-departmental children’s taskforce: one key outcome from it must be a better coordinated approach across government departments.’
The Guardian, 22nd February 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Family judge criticised for not naming council that breached father’s rights – The Guardian
‘A family court judge has come under fire after refusing to name a council that violated a man’s parental rights by taking his four-year-old daughter into care without a proper investigation.’
The Guardian, 10th January 2016
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Rebecca Kandare death: Parents jailed for malnourished baby killing – BBC News
‘The parents of a dying baby girl, who failed to seek urgent medical care for her because of their religious beliefs, have been jailed.’
BBC News, 10th November 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Luton mother and grandmother guilty of baby neglect death – BBC News
‘The mother and grandmother of a seven-month-old baby who died in their care have been found guilty of neglect.’
BBC News, 28th October 2015
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
When keeping a child from their mother is in their best interests – The Guardian
‘Taking a child away from a parent is one of the most profound and far-reaching powers a court can exercise. Can it ever be in the best interests of a child to lose not only a parent but also a nationality and family heritage? These questions are prompted by the decision of the court of appeal last week that a Latvian girl, known only as CB, should be brought up by adoptive parents in the UK.’
The Guardian, 14th August 2015
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
