30 October 2009

New research from JRF: Poorest communities remain forgotten post-recession

Recently released, Communities in recession: the impact on deprived neighbourhoods draws on JRF's (Joseph Rowntree Foundation) wealth of research on communities, as well as data on unemployment at neighbourhood level from 1985-2009. It illustrates how the poorest communities are worst affected by recession, and shows how they remain disadvantaged long after recessions have hit. In recessions the number of unemployed people increases most in neighbourhoods where there are already high levels of unemployment. Communities with high proportions of manufacturing workers and rented homes are hit hardest by recession-places with many public sector workers have been more resilient.

Read more: http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/communities-in-recession

30 October 2009

New recommendations from the Law Commission

The Law Commission has published a consultation paper reviewing the current law on intestacy and family provision claims on death.The intestacy rules govern the inheritance of assets where a person dies without leaving a will disposing of the whole of his or her property. Whether or not the deceased left a valid will, certain family members and dependants may apply to court for reasonable financial provision from the estate, under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 - this is known as a claim for family provision. Included in the areas for potential reform is "whether certain cohabitants should have a place in the intestacy rules, the conditions which have to be met, and how much of the estate they should receive".

Read more: http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/intestacy.htm

30 October 2009

Children's Minister: New online resources for up to 5 million mums,dads, carers and grandparents

Dawn Primarolo, Minister for Children, Young people and Families has announced three new pilot projects to help up to five million mums, dads, carers and grandparents get important parenting information support and guidance. The Parent Know How innovation fund has created the three pilot projects as recent research showed that 80 per cent of parents reported they were satisfied or 'very satisfied' with the information or support provided by existing Parent Know How services.

Read more: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0203

28 October 2009

New research from Sheffield Hallam on work and poverty

Sheffield Hallam University recently examined the experiences and perceptions of work among residents living in six deprived areas in the UK. Disadvantaged communities are trapped in a cycle of 'poor work/no work' that fails to lift them out of poverty. Researchers found that poverty-level pay can force those in employment to work excessive hours, harming the quality of their family life. For those out of work, this can act as a disincentive to leave benefits.

Read more: http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/work-worklessness

28 October 2009

New careers education strategy for the 21st Century

A radical change in careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) has been unveiled at a launch attended by Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls, Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United Football Club and Schools Minister Iain Wright. It will provide support and resources for schools and parents to engage with young people from an early age to talk about career opportunities.

"It is vital that parents and schools are setting out the options for children and young people whether they are academic and are looking to go university or are more practical and want to do an apprenticeship."

Read more: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/news-and-communicat...

20 October 2009

British men fear asking for flexible working find EHRC

A report launched today by  Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which coincides with Parents' week, finds that British men want to take a more active role in caring for their children. Many British fathers are working long hours, struggling to balance work and family and fear that requesting flexible working will damage their careers.

Read more: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/british-men-...

20 October 2009

Care applications continue to rise at record levels

Cafcass has published care statistics for the second quarter of 2009-2010 showing that the number of care applications made by local authorities remains at an unprecedentedly high level. According to Anthony Douglas, CBE Cafcass' Chief Executive commented, " The child protection system is dealing with higher referrals at every stage of assessment and service provision. Children's guardians are now working round the clock to meet the needs of these children as best as we can. Applications is good news for children who need protection, the child care system as a whole will need to gear up to be able to able to cope with and support these much higher volumes."

Read more: http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/news/2009/q2_care_statistics.aspx

16 October 2009

Incredible Years programme in Ireland

New research from the National University of Maynooth has shown that after their mothers and fathers took part in a 12-week programme to teach them positive parenting techniques, children in  Ireland were significantly less likely to behave badly, and poor behaviour was likely to be less severe.

Read more: http://www.preventionaction.org/what-works/iy-ire/5126

13 October 2009

Children's Secretary proposes to end regulation of reciprocal childcare

The Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, has written to Ofsted to propose an end to the regulation of reciprocal childcare arrangements between friends.

Read more: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0183

13 October 2009

Report on 'What Women Want' from the Centre for Policy Studies

The Centre for Policy Studies has published a new report entitled What women want - and how they can get it by Christina Odone. The report includes results from a YouGov poll and finds less than one in eight mothers want to work full time.

Read more: http://www.cps.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=cpsa...

13 October 2009

New research on the recession from IPPR

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has published a new report analysing the behaviour of low-income families in London, Newcastle, Nottingham and Glasgow looking at how the recession has changed spending, saving and borrowing habits. The research found that most parents felt considerable pressure and anxiety about their ability to provide for their children.

Read more: http://www.ippr.org.uk/pressreleases/?id=3748

06 October 2009

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 has now come into force. this includes the regulation of all human embryos outside the body and banning sex selection for non-medical reasons. The act also values the role of all parents by retaining a duty to take account of the welfare of the child in providing fertility treatment but replaces the reference to "the need for a father with "the need for supportive parenting".

Read more: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&Relea...

06 October 2009

ContactPoint consultation launched

Children's Minister, Delyth Morgan, has launched a consultation to update the rules governing ContactPoint.

Read more: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2009_0174

06 October 2009

Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery

The Prime Minister's Commisson has set out its vision for the future with the ultimate goal that all nursing and midwifery staff will be at the centre of all aspects of health care and that nursing and midwifery practice will be rooted in compassion.

Read more: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&Relea...

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