New research from the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol shows that ‘virtual’ head teachers significantly raise the priority of education and outcomes for children in care, who are often less successful at school than other pupils.

Barnardo’s has accused ministers of dragging their feet in tackling a funding crisis affecting social work within Young Offenders Institutions (YOI).

Adult care budgets are set to be slashed as councils strive to safeguard children’s social services in the wake of recent high-profile child protection failures, public spending experts have warned.

A SOCIAL worker from Blackburn who allowed a seven year-old girl to live with her convicted killer mum has been given a caution from her professional body.

The national roll-out of a pioneering scheme to improve protection for children was announced yesterday. It will give members of the public a formal mechanism to make enquiries about people who are in contact with children.

A MIDLAND care worker has been cleared of allegations that she abused five old women suffering from dementia who regularly lashed out at staff as they looked after them.

The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is hearing of cuts in adult social care services, but Social Work with adults has received something of a boost with the publication of ‘The Future of Social Work in Adult Services in England’, a joint statement from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), the Department of Health, Skills for Care, BASW and the Social Care Association.

A charity is claiming that more than three-quarters of foster carers in the UK earn less than the equivalent of the minimum wage, with a third of carers having seriously considered giving up.

A COUPLE who fled Suffolk to ensure their unborn baby was not taken away by social services have had the child removed from their care by the Spanish authorities.

Up to 300 jobs a year will go at Manchester council as bosses work to cut town hall spending – without hikes in council tax.