Family Justice Board Action Plan - a few words from Family Lore's John Bolch

Family Lore: Family Justice Board action plan published: The Family Justice Board has published an Action Plan to Improve the Performance of the Family Justice System.

(Please select the hyper-link above to read the article direct from John Bloch's blog, Family Lore)

Health and Social Care Bill: HPC likely to be renamed Health and Care Professions Council - The Social Work Blog

Health and Social Care Bill: HPC likely to be renamed Health and Care Professions Council - The Social Work Blog

Southern Family Aid | An Introduction to Shaun O'Connell

Shaun O'Connell is a dedicated advocate in pursuit of [much needed and anticipated] reform within our judicial (family/ civil) system; A "system" that remains:

🔹clogged with both frivolous &/or vexatious applications;
🔹Cases unnecessarily delayed due to poor management of time-tabling
🔹 Cases lacking evidence,
🔹 ICOs likewise being "used" to stall time while cases are built against parent(s)
🔹Local Authorities and supporting agencies lacking alternative (and) effective remedies,
🔹 Lack of compliance without appropriate consequences
🔹A cloak & dagger approach to family proceedings as many cases slip through the cracks of time, maladministration, & misfeasance then proceed to be buried beneath a veil of secrecy.

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Working diligently, to assist parents in their own personal battle(s) against councils and other Local Authority agencies around the country, Shaun volunteers his assistance under, Southern Family Aid.

As a parent, exposed to England's draconian practices, he found himself powerless in the Courts: Furthermore, he was more so powerless a a Father with marginal "rights".

He has links to Fathers4Justice (original) and continued on his plight for "justice" and equality, long after his case had exhausted possible channels to challenge the court rulings against him (as a Father)
- see his appeal in case :
Re O’Connell and others 22nd June [2005] EWCA Civ 759

Now, in 2013 he carries a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience in the High / Appellant Court(s).

In a Nationwide, epic campaign for transparency, accountability and equality in our Family Courts, he is along side many, who share the same passion(s) against the INjustices which occur daily.

He has stumbled down the same kafkaesque pathway, as many unwitting parents alike. And I am proud to stand alongside Shaun - seeking and researching reform in our current policies and procedures, in hope that changes in legislation ARE possible (and not just a pipe-dream) in an otherwise
"BROKEN BRITAIN"

You can visit Southern Family Aid by clicking on the hyper-link below:

http://www.southernfamilyaid.com/

(If you are unable to connect to Shaun's site directly, you can also manually enter the URL in your browser's address bar)

Local authorities planning to increase inter-agency adoption fee

Community Care | Articles

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/articles/15/01/2013/118831/local-authorities-planning-to-increase-inter-agency-adoption-fee.htm


Voluntary adoption agencies have accused councils of distorting the true cost of recruiting adopters, but this could be set to change as councils consider upping the fees they charge each other

Councils are negotiating to increase inter-agency adoption fees to ensure a level playing field between voluntary agencies and councils when recruiting adoptive parents.
In the past, voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) have charged local authorities £27,000 for finding adoptive parents, while councils have charged each other £13,000.

This does not cover the true cost of the recruitment process, however, and VAAs have accused councils of distorting the picture and using voluntary agencies less as a result.
The Local Government Association (LGA), the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) and Solace, which represents council chief executives, have now agreed to increase the fee between local authorities to £27,000 on the basis that this will create a more level playing field.
An ADCS spokesperson said directors are "working hard" to progress the talks, which would also encourage councils to recruit more adopters than they actually need.
Other proposals being investigated by councils include creating a national pool of adoptive parents, developing a national market for adopter recruitment and incentivising smaller councils to work together or join consortia when recruiting adoptive parents.
Authorities will also be encouraged to pay recruitment fees and offer social workers more support when looking at other permanent options for children, such as long-term fostering and kinship care.
Councillor David Simmonds, chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said councils are moving forward on increasing both the number of adopted children and adoptive parents.
But he attacked the government for not moving as quickly on key proposals, such as the adoption gateway or reducing court delays.
David Holmes, chief of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering - who has previously called for a rethink on inter-agency adoption fees - said the LGA is right to highlight that family courts are still a significant cause of delay.
"In fairness, work is underway to address this but it is taking time to implement," Holmes said.
"It is heartening that local authorities are taking forward their own positive initiatives to make the adoption process more efficient and effective."
Related articles

Government urged to look again at inter-agency adoption fees
Voluntary adoption agencies say they are being used less

CourtRoom Advice

For access to information and courtroom guidelines, please visit Courtroom Advice directly.

You may click on the hyperlink below, otherwise you may manually input the url in your address bar:

www.courtroomadvice.co.uk

5 Things Our Children want from Family Justice System

The Children's Services Blog

A group of 32 children and young people with experience of or interest in the family courts have compiled their top five wishes for the family justice system in 2013.
The Family Justice System Young People's Board was set up by family courts body Cafcass to advise on policy issues.
Here are their top five wishes:

1. Cases don’t drag on and are always focused on our needs
2. There is more support when we just need to speak to someone
3. We find a way for the court to keep us informed about our cases such as when big decisions are going to be made about our lives
4. Help is available when things get tough and everyone's arguments stress us out
5. We have a way to tell the people involved in our case about the good and bad bits and know they'd listen
(Image: Stew Dean on flickr)

ADOPTION REGISTER (BAAF) How to efficiently utilise it

Adoption Register for England and Wales has been operated by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) on behalf of the Department for Education and the Welsh Government since December 1st 2004.

The Adoption Register works with adoption agencies and adoption consortia to make sure that all children and families have the best chance of finding a suitable match. Its main purpose is to find adoptive homes for those children for whom Local Authorities cannot find a home locally.

Maximising Use of the Adoption Register -

Project Evaluation Report Published - click here to view

Children Matched Through the Register

2021 children have been matched at panel with families through the Adoption Register since December 2004:

253 children matched: 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012 (Year 8)

351 children matched: 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 (Year 7)

335 children matched: 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 (Year 6)

267 children matched: 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 (Year 5)

82 children matched: 1 December 2008 to 31 March 2009 (4 month extension period)

268 children matched: 1 December 2007 to 30 November 2008 (Year 4)

199 children matched: 1 December 2006 to 30 November 2007 (Year 3)

157 children matched: 1 December 2005 to 30 November 2006 (Year 2)

109 children matched: 1 December 2004 to 30 November 2005 (Year 1)



1st August 2011 - BAAF rated 'Outstanding' by OFSTED


BAAF which runs the Adoption Register for England & Wales has been rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted in its recent inspection.

ADOPTION IN PRACTICE: DOGMA AND DISARRAY?

Family Law (online) | Jordan's Publishing | Article | 28 DECEMBER 2012
Related Products

Edward Lloyd-Jones
Barrister, 14 Gray's Inn Square:

The government wishes to increase the number of children adopted from care and, in pursuit of this outcome , to speed up the progress of care proceedings through the courts. More children, it is said, 'deserve permanency'. But are enough prospective adopters available and is sufficient support in place, particularly in relation to older children with challenging behaviour or special needs?

Are there dangers that in pursuing a dash for adoption we neglect to take sufficient account of each child's particular needs and existing relationships, including with siblings?

The government's legislative proposals include reducing the scope of public law proceedings in relation to their length, use of experts and consideration of care plans. The 'modernisation' of court structures and procedure will place greater emphasis on 'compliance' with process and the use of a central corpus of 'good practice' materials. Is such reductionism compatible with the objective of providing the most suitable outcome for children, often with complex backgrounds and needs?

Everyone wishes to avoid delay in determining the right future for children in care proceedings but if we are serious about doing so we must also address the external contribution of institutions such as Cafcass and The Legal Services Commission.

(The full version of this article appears in the January 2013 issue of Family Law.)