CSE perpetrator or victim?
Perpetrator or victim? Amanda Spencer, 23, from Sheffield, has been found guilty of 16 counts relating to child sexual exploitation. She was just 16 when she began to befriend girls, some as young as 13, before forcing them to have sex for cash which she used to fund a drug and alcohol addiction. The jury […]
Internet Watch Foundation publishes annual report
The Internet Watch Foundation has published its annual report including an assessment of 50000 reports to its hotline. Last year, reports increased by 31% compared to 2012. It identified 13,182 webpages containing child sexual abuse imagery of these: 51% showed the rape or sexual torture of a child or children; over 80% were of victims […]
Convicted sex offender allowed to retain photos of victim
The BBC reports that Dorset Police officers have said it would be unlawful to delete photos of a child sexual abuse victim from a convicted sex offender’s laptop because they are not legally classified as indecent or prohibited. The sex offender has formally requested that his laptop and mobile phone be returned to him. Source: […]
Children lose anonymity in court cases
A High Court ruling made by Lord Justice Leveson means that children previously involved in court proceedings as defendant, witness or victim will lose their anonymity on their 18th birthday. Some fear this may deter children from giving evidence and harm the rehabilitation of young offenders. Source: Children& Young People Now 09 April 2014 Further […]
Unicef poll shows British public do not see UK has hotspot for child trafficking
A Unicef poll on public perceptions of human trafficking has found that a majority of the British public do not see the country as a hotspot for child trafficking despite the fact that 10 children are trafficked every week in the UK. 75% of people polled agreed that giving trafficked children a legal guardian was […]
Survey shows impact of bullying on education
A survey carried out by anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label says 56% of bullied pupils felt that their education was suffering as a result of the bullying. The research showed that bullied students were more likely to achieve a grade D or below at GCSE level. Source: BBC Online 16 April 2014 Further information: Ditch […]
Government consult on outsourcing children’s services
The government is consulting on proposals which would enable local authorities to outsource most areas of children’s services. Deadline for responses is 30 May 2014. Source: Children & Young People Now 17 April 2014 Further information: Delegating children’s social care functions
Article published on longterm impact of childhood bullying.
The Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London has an article in the American Journal of Psychiatry on the longterm impact of childhood bullying. Findings include: British adults who were bullied in their childhood remained at greater risk of poor social, health, and economic outcomes decades after exposure. Source: American Journal of Psychiatry 18 April […]
Community Care and Unison collect research on social worker’s typical day
Community Care and UNISON are collecting information on the typical working day of social workers in the UK. The survey will take place on 29 April 2014. Professionals can register to take part on the Community Care website. Source: Community Care
Reforms to Family Justice System
Reforms to the family justice system in England and Wales came into force on the 22 April 2014. Implemented reforms include: the introduction of a 26 week time limit for care proceedings and compulsory family mediation information meetings for separating parents. Source: Gov.uk 22 April 2014 Further information: BBC Online 22 April 2014
“The course was extremely well devised and prepared.”
“Excellent and thought provoking”