News & opinion

Our latest news, and opinions from across the sector.

News & opinion — 28 Jul 2017

Must children fall into crisis before they get the help they need?

Tim Loughton, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children, argues the case for a closer look at thresholds for children's social care, as the APPGC begins a survey of social workers.

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News & opinion — 18 Jul 2017

The new age of media literacy

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News & opinion — 12 Jul 2017

Workforce perspectives on harmful sexual behaviour – what are practitioners saying?

Our national survey sought to understand how professionals describe their knowledge, skills and confidence in relation to supporting children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour. Dez Holme from Research in Practice, considers what works well in developing capabilities, and what further support staff need.

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News & opinion — 11 Jul 2017

Support from managers and peers is vital for staff supporting children displaying harmful sexual behaviour

Our new research shows the complex challenges that professionals face when responding to children who display Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB), with staff reporting that it can be difficult to balance the rights and needs of a child displaying HSB, with the duty to protect others.

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News & opinion — 5 Jul 2017

Foster carers want more support to engage children with reading

Based on a UK-wide survey of almost 600 foster carers and interviews with a smaller number of foster carers and children, our research explored carers’ reading habits and attitudes, and how they engage children in reading for pleasure.

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News & opinion — 4 Jul 2017

Now is the time for schools to start planning for statutory sex and relationships education

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News & opinion — 4 Jul 2017

New research suggests shared reading improves relationships between foster carers and children

New research shows that 90% of foster carers who read with their child say it has made a positive impact on the relationship between them, but more support is needed to help foster carers unlock the benefit of shared reading.

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News & opinion — 3 Jul 2017

Is it good enough for my own children?

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News & opinion — 30 Jun 2017

Why we need a bill for wellbeing in schools

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News & opinion — 26 Jun 2017

Cuts to health visitor and nurse training threaten plans to give our children the best start in life

Cuts to training budgets in Northern Ireland will mean fewer school nurses, health visitors and speech and language therapists – undermining any serious commitment to early intervention.

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News & opinion — 23 Jun 2017

The Queen’s Speech: the good, the bad and the overlooked

After months of uncertainty punctuated by terror and tragedy, the Queen’s Speech marked a return to business as usual at Westminster. But what does it mean for children and families?

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News & opinion — 21 Jun 2017

Queen’s speech overlooks crisis in children’s social care

The focus on mental health in the Queen’s speech is a welcome step forward, but the Government is still overlooking the crisis facing services for vulnerable children. It also fails to say how young people’s interests will be protected during Brexit.

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