Councils are warned over adoption failings
David Cameron has warned councils failing children put up for adoption that they could be stripped of their responsibilities.
The Prime Minister said that services at poor-performing local authorities could be taken over by other councils, or contracted out privately.
-
The comments came as the Government produced a series of adoption and care league tables as part of a crackdown on poor-performing authorities.
The 15 indicators exposed a mixed picture among Westcountry authorities. Broadly speaking, they showed more children in care in Devon and Cornwall were moved repeatedly than in most other parts of the country.
A Full Dermalogica Facial,which lasts 1 and 1/2 hours,including Back,Neck,Shoulder Massage, now only £35.
Terms: Voucher must be quoted while booking appointment.Voucher must be presented on appointment.
Contact: 01392 348280
Valid until: Monday, September 30 2013
It found that Plymouth City Council came second from bottom when measuring the percentage of children in care who had more than three placements in a year.
In Plymouth, 16 per cent of children in care were given multiple placements. The council pointed out it was ranked ninth highest for the stability of placements for children under 16.
Cornwall Council and Devon County Council were equal third bottom with 15 per cent of children in three or more placements. The rate was 14 per cent at Torbay Council.
Westcountry authorities performed much better in other criteria. In Cornwall, 90 per cent of children were placed with adoptive parents within a year – the 12th highest in the country. In Plymouth, the rate was 74 per cent, Devon 73 per cent and Torbay 68 per cent. By contrast, Hackney, in London, the rate was just 43 per cent.
The Government found huge differences in the rate of children leaving care for adoption, ranging from 2 per cent to 26 per cent. Plymouth managed 19 per cent, Torbay 15 per cent, Cornwall 14 per cent and Devon just 8 per cent.
Children's Minister Tim Loughton said the system was too dismissive of potential adoptive parents. He went on to say that "too often" they are told "you're white and middle-class and the wrong ethnicity, or you're a bit overweight or smoke".
"None of this is regulation set down by this department," he added. "As far as I'm concerned the only consideration is can that family offer a safe, stable, loving family environment."
Plymouth councillor Sam Leaves, cabinet member for children and young people, said of the multiple care rating: "This can largely be attributed to young people coming into care between the ages of 16 to 18, who have particularly challenging behaviour and are on the cusp of independence. It's very difficult in these circumstances to find stable placements, but it's an area we are actively working on."
The Prime Minister spoke out after launching the Give a Child a Home campaign at the start of national adoption week, which urges potential adopters and foster parents to come forward. He said: "We want to act to help some of those vulnerable children in our country, children who languish in the care system who have a terrible start in life."
Comments
by omnivore23
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 5:21PM
“I looked in my cornflakes this morning and, nothing.....
Katakabanova - I blame you for this - I wouldn't have bought them were it not for your lies.
What do you have to say for yourself?
if you don't feel able to explain your outrageous fib - perhpas you could just post one of your little bigoted slogans. No need to defend what you say, or enter into any kind of discussion with anyone who can string a cogent sentence together or anything like that........”
by reiwruwiou
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 1:04PM
“Katakabanova, I thought that you had rested your case. Apparently not.
I'm pleased that you have a degree in Sociology, which you received free with breakfast cereal. I must have missed that special offer.
Sadly, this does not qualify you to become a social worker - you need to complete a three year degree in Social work, or in your case (with your "freebee" Sociology degree) you need to do a two year Masters degree.”
by katakabanova
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 11:54AM
“A degree in Sociology comes free in every packet of cornflakes.”
by reiwruwiou
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 10:09AM
“I'm glad that Katakabanova is reesting his/her case, as this means that he/she won't be spouting any more purilent drivel.
A few facts.
1) To be a Social Worker you have to have a degree. You can't just waltz in off the streets and offer "tea and sympathy".
2) Social Workers really have to keep their eye on the ball at all times as they are forced to balance the rights of their clients with their duties. It can be a nasty business sometimes, and you can't just not help someone because you don't like them. Things do go wrong sometimes, and some poor judgement calls are made. BUT... Screwing things up isn't something that the Public Sector has exclusive rights to - the reason that the world is in the state it is is down to the private sector.
Before you ask - no, I am not a Social Worker and yes, I think that some of them are complete twits, but I also appreciate that there is far more to it than "Tea and Sympathy". Also remember that you only ever hear about the cases that go spectacularly wrong, and if people stopped being plebs and looked after their kids properly then there would be no need of Social Workers (well, Children's ones at any rate.)”
by waynep040
Wednesday, November 02 2011, 2:03AM
“social workers can not be trusted and use hearsay and other fabricated evidence,to corrupt court cases before they even begin.there is a set of golden rules many people tend to follow now: rule no 1 never trust a social worker....”
by katakabanova
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 8:57PM
“There you have it 32K for tea and sympathy, a fantastic pension and no threat of losing your job however pants you are. and still not happy. I rest my case.”
by chucklevision
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 8:32PM
“Katakabanova, I have been a social woker for 30 years and do not consider a salary of £32k as overpaid with my salary going backwards with cuts in local government.”
by reiwruwiou
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 3:13PM
“Antbod, how do you think that they will judge if "things continue"? By pouring over endless tables, of course...
Also, who exactly will take over? There are a finite number of staff qualified for this job, and if they all get booted out of the council they will just end up working for the private sector companies who are supposed to be taking over, and who will be billing the government for their services.”
by Antbod
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 3:04PM
“They have threatened to step in and take over if this continues, actions speak louder than words, let's see some proactive action rather than endless tables”
by omnivore23
Tuesday, November 01 2011, 1:49PM
“Are you intending to read any other posts Kat - or do you just want to go with the slogans?
Just so we know whether you are worth engaging in a discussion with - or not.”