A retired academic from Suffolk who specialised in childcare has been jailed after admitting a string of child pornography charges, prosecutors said.

Plans to cap fees for independent social workers acting as expert witnesses are “ill-conceived and discriminatory”.

The government’s commissioning support programme is calling on councils to radically increase the number of children, young people and families they consult, as part of proposals to overhaul the way local services are planned.

Members of the Multiple Sclerosis Society have supported the charity’s decision to shut down four respite care centres.

TWENTY per cent of staff in Thurrock Council’s social care department are from an agency – costing “at least twice” as much as those directly employed.

A warning system to protect staff, patients and clients from physical or verbal abuse has been introduced into Jersey General Hospital and clinics.

The case against a former County Durham approved school housemaster accused of sexual abuse has been thrown out by a judge – amid stinging criticism of police investigators.

Local authorities and the NHS will have to publish details of how well they are delivering on key outcomes for dementia sufferers, including reducing the use of anti-psychotic medication, the government said today.

A YORKSHIRE council has come under renewed criticism for failing to protect vulnerable children after a damning report revealed social workers “warmed” towards a father who was later jailed for violently shaking his infant son.

A senior social worker in north London described Baby P’s mother as “lovely” and assured her the toddler would not be taken away from her, an employment tribunal heard.