READING reports of an 11-year-old boy “fighting for his life after a vicious attack”, we cannot help wonder what sort of person would cause such injuries to one so young, and to his even younger friend.

CARE home owners are launching a legal challenge against Wirral Council’s plans to cut fees. After a huge outcry, Social services boss John Webb last week backtracked over proposals to reduce the money paid to homes by 5% – equivalent to between £18 and £22.

Staff at a closure-threatened Whitehaven care home have collected 5,000 signatures to try and save it.

Most young people in secure children’s homes believe the institutions make them feel safe and keep them out of trouble, with many open to the idea of more CCTV cameras to monitor behaviour, according to a new study of secure care across England.

The head of Birmingham social services has urged the government to encourage an “honest debate” about the mounting financial crisis councils face in attempting to care for a rapidly growing elderly population.

The Care Quality Commission has defended the appointment of its chief executive Cynthia Bower after the Conservatives called for an independent inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire foundation trust scandal.

A children’s social worker was struck off the professional register today after biting her son while under the influence of alcohol.

BBC Radio 4 has alleged a possible link between sedatives and babies born with birth defects. The Today programme has revealed it knows of 10 women who have had babies with birth defects, all of whom were heavily sedated at a carehome in Gravesend during the 70s and 80s. The care home was being run by the Church of England.

A MANAGER at a Cambridgeshire care home has been accused of bullying and neglecting patients.

Phil Hope, the Minister of State for Care Services, has today welcomed the appointment of Liz McSheehy as the new Director of the National Skills Academy for Social Care.