There has been a "huge" rise in the number of newborns who are subject to care proceedings in England, according to figures compiled for the first time. Some 2,018 babies were involved in such cases in 2013, compared with 802 in 2008, the University of Lancaster said. About half were taken from mothers with other children in care - one woman had 16 children removed - and a third were from women who became mothers as teens. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said the figures were "worrying". Lead researcher Prof Karen Broadhurst said there had been "a general trend towards taking more timely action" where children could be at risk, but the number of newborns taken into care was "disproportionately increasing". More studies were needed to determine the reasons for the rise, she said. "That's a key question for me. In the absence of any analysis, any research, evidence, what more could we have done to prevent this huge increase?" Louise, who is in her early twenties, was sexually abused from the age of seven. At 11 she ran away from home, and over the next five years, spent time in nearly 40 foster homes before going to live with a family member again. Aged 18 she became pregnant and her son was born when she was 19. "I started leaving him with other people because whenever he cried I just wanted to pick him up and shake him - and I shouldn't have been doing that as a mum, I should have been protecting him and looking after him - but I was going out and getting drunk. "The social services got involved because I was involved with them as a child. I didn't have family support. I didn't have nobody. I asked them for help but obviously it resulted in me losing my child." Shortly afterwards, she became pregnant again and was "over the moon" but she had her son taken away from her again by social workers. "It tore me apart," she said. "I just kept crying and crying. Even now - it doesn't get any easier..." Louise is now part of the Pause project in Doncaster, a scheme which helps women break the cycle of court proceedings and further pregnancies. She said she was now planning to get a career and be more settled before having children again. The figures, compiled for the first time using original family court records, showed a total of 13,248 babies were taken into care between 2007 and 2014 at birth or shortly after. In 2008, of 672,809 live births in England recorded by the Office for National Statistics, 0.1% of babies entered the care system. The proportion had increased to 0.3% in 2013 - out of a total of 664,517 births. Most babies would have been taken into care at hospital, the report said, and about 10% of those removed at birth will be returned to their mothers at the end of care proceedings. Some may be looked after by other family members, while others may go into foster care or be placed for adoption. Prof Broadhurst said: "Some mothers are caught in a destructive cycle: their child's taken into care, because of neglect or abuse, they quickly become pregnant again without changing their outlook or circumstances." She added: "As you have more babies removed, the desire to replace the lost baby becomes stronger." The Department for Education said it was aware of the problem and had given extra funding to projects such as Pause, and the family drug and alcohol court, which try to help women who have had successive children taken into care. When can children be taken into care? If a council has serious worries about a child, it can apply to the court for permission to take action to protect them. Care proceedings can begin only once a child is born, but in some circumstances the local authority may begin assessing the situation while a woman is pregnant. Children can be taken into care when they are suffering, or are likely to suffer, serious harm, for example:
But Karen Goodman, from the British Association of Social Workers, said mothers whose children were removed often missed out on the drug and alcohol addiction treatment, mental health support and other care that could prevent them getting pregnant again. She said the women "might not meet the eligibility criteria" for help at a time when budgets had been cut. "You can't get away from the situation local authorities find themselves in," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'Cycle of failure' "We do know that all the services are under a great financial strain and resources are an issue." Education Secretary Nicky Morgan told the BBC more work was needed to prevent "a cycle of failure". "Where children who have been in the care system, who have been let down, who haven't achieved well at school, for example, and who then often will not be able to provide that stable parenting for their own children... "It is worrying, today's numbers, and it shows I think exactly why we're right to be focusing on this." Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35088794 FtSE Member News: Kasper Fostering are looking for a Registered Manager to join their team3/12/2015
Registered Manager – FosteringKasper Fostering, Whitstable, Kent Permanent £48,000 to £60,000 (dep. on experience, management qualifications) + excellent package: car allowance/lease car, 7.5% salary pension, 35 days holiday plus bank holidays, mileage Excellent opportunity for an experienced, dedicated, motivated and strategic Registered Manager to join Kasper Fostering and lead a highly skilled and stable team. Kasper Fostering is a not for profit, long-established and child-centred independent organisation. The small to medium service covers Kent, Essex and London, with the Registered Manager role predominantly based in Whitstable, Kent. Reporting to Director Level, the successful candidate will supervise a committed and experienced team to continuously improve business performance, monitor and improve excellent practice, and ensure an 'outstanding' quality fostering service continues to be provided. As well as motivating and holding responsibility for the service as a whole, you will also be responsible for maintaining and developing excellent relationships with local authorities, the Ofsted inspectorate - and understand the importance of being truly available to the team and carers, and providing the best possible care for children. The agency is built on core values and principles which put children and families at the centre of all we do. In a key role for the organisation, it is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Manager looking for an opportunity to grow and lead an excellent team and service. Criteria ** Excellent background within Fostering Services ** Qualified Social Worker / HCPC registration ** CQSW/DSW/Degree in Social work ** 3 years senior management experience/qualifications ** Strong strategic and operational leader ** Ability to demonstrate experience of driving growth ** Ability to work autonomously, assertive and confident in own decision making ** Experience in building strong relations with Local Authorities and OFSTED ** Personable, approachable and dedicated Click to download a more detailed person specification and job description. To apply, download and complete our application form. Email to amyansell@kasperfostering.org or post to 79 Nelson Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1DX. For an informal discussion first, please call 01227 275985 and speak to Lin Redman. Interview timescale: End of January / beginning of February 2016. Kasper Fostering is an Investors in People organisation and does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. Kasper follows a rigorous recruitment and selection process, and aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all. Applicants are interviewed in line with our safer recruitment policy, where identities are checked thoroughly and successful candidates are required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure. Source: http://www.kasperfostering.org/opportunities/registered-manager/ |
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