Woodland Baines Ltd’s Post

This could be the start of generational change to the UK’s child protection system, but it’ll take discipline and commitment that is rarely seen in any jurisdiction across the world. The problems are similar to those faced in every western jurisdiction (ballooning cost, substandard quality and compromised outcomes) and the solutions proposed are identical to those proposed in every system reform attempt I’ve seen (retargeting resources to early intervention and diversion, better support to keep families intact, better regulation and quality of out of home care). In NSW alone over the past two decades we’ve had Keep them Safe, Safe Home for Life and Their Futures Matter, all based on the same (very sound) underpinning logic, all showing early promise, and all fading into obscurity when the dollars got tight, the gloss wore off, and the realisation that generational change takes time to achieve struck. Some of the most important solutions are simple and comparatively inexpensive. Others are big-picture change that will take grit, courage and money to execute. It will be interesting to see what the UK will bring to it, whether they can stay the course, and other other jurisdictions will join them in committing to proper, structural change to reverse the tide. #ChildProtection #FamilyStrengthening #OutOfHomeCare #Reform

This is really significant and much needed here in Australia too. Hull did it over a decade ago (drastically reducing the number of ‘looked after children’) albeit with a financial motivation, without greater levels of harm caused. Some lessons for us to draw from: • Embed the system tasked to protect children within a more universal system such as education or health, with long term (life) accountability • Have a strong regulatory capability, e.g Ofsted • Stop the exploitation of children by for profit providers *and including for profit-behaving NFP’s. • Be child centred and follow a rights-respecting approach e.g the child placement principle • Recognise the impact and harm caused by removal, even when necessary. And the minimisation that comes from being with Kin when compared with stranger care. **I say this having been a foster carer and having run OoHC myself. It is what it is, no matter how well it’s done and how necessary it is at times.

Sharing this post… the UK government is overhauling child welfare services to focus on early intervention, keeping children with family and looking to kin first when that is not possible. Ontario has had this focus for several years, an initiative largely driven by the child welfare sector. Today, our provincial government is doing a review of child welfare because costs are increasing as child in care numbers are decreasing. However, early intervention, keeping children with their family and preventing children from coming into state care costs money. The focus of child welfare reform was not to save the province money… it was to do what many children wanted… for their parents to get the help they need so they could remain safely at home.

A very welcome focus, and what sounds like the potential for real change in Children's social care... putting children's experiences at the centre. I will be eagerly following as this develops. Let's hope this is the start of action, and not just talk. What are your thoughts? #childrenssocialcare #ofsted #regulation https://lnkd.in/edgRhbsw

Really happy to see the signs of major reform to the children’s social care system with todays published report, which is a positive step in the right direction. Key to this is the power to tackle 'for profit' care homes, which often lead to rooms being filled, regardless of the child's best interest. This creates a disincentive to move children to more suitable accommodation due to a potential loss of revenue. Also good to see a focus on early intervention, which is so critical considering the multiple pitfalls peppering these environments. https://lnkd.in/ePr_sSTT

A Landmark Overhaul for Children's Social Care Today, the UK government launched a transformative strategy aimed at fixing systemic issues in children’s social care. This ambitious plan, described as the "biggest overhaul in a generation," is guided by findings from recent independent reviews, including those into the tragic cases of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson. The reforms aim to create a system that prioritises early intervention, strong family relationships, and better outcomes for children and young people in care. Key highlights included: A £45 million investment in 12 local authorities to test a supportive, family-focused model addressing issues like addiction, domestic violence, and mental health, helping families Finnancial support for extended families, and a significant increase in foster carers’ allowances to meet rising costs. Support for Care Leavers: Expanded programs for smoother transitions to independence, including increased financial allowances and mentoring opportunities. Safeguarding Improvements: Introduction of specialist child protection teams and a new national framework to ensure consistency across local authorities. Tackling Exploitation. Plans to address profit-driven care provision. It sets the stage for the forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing Bill, which will enshrine many of these changes in law. #SocialCare #Wellbeing #FamilySupport #YoungPeoplesWellbeing #Mentalhealthmatters #impactingyoungpeople #WellbeingResilience https://lnkd.in/en93i6Pg.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fnews%2Fbiggest-overhaul-in-a-generation-to-childrens-social-care%23%3A~%3Atext%3DMore%2520widely%252C%2520the%2520government%2520is%2Cchildren%2520entering%2520the%2520care%2520system.&utm_campaign=aga&utm_source=agsadl1%2Cagsadl3%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4

My full response to Government’s Announcement on Reform of Children’s Social Care. While the government’s recent announcement on reforming children’s social care is a step in the right direction, we must be clear: talk alone is not enough. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Young people’s lives are at stake, and we have the power to do so much more to make a meaningful difference. This is not just about policy; it’s about real, tangible action that can transform the lives of vulnerable children and families. The time for delay is over—urgent, decisive action is needed now. Every day we wait, we risk further harm to those who need our support the most. Let’s turn our words into real change, and ensure that no young person is left behind. https://lnkd.in/eyfF93Rw

🚨 A Critical Moment for Adult Social Care in England 🚨 A recent report by MPs delivers a stark verdict: adult social care in England has been brought "to its knees." With 835,000 people dependent on this system, the findings reveal years of uneven funding and a "woefully insufficient plan" to address thousands of staff vacancies. This situation has led to chronic underfunding, escalating waiting lists, and substantial pressure on local authorities. In a time when nearly half a million people are on waiting lists for care and our ageing population's needs continue to grow, the promise to "fix the crisis in social care" remains unfulfilled. The increasing profit margins of some private providers highlight a concerning disconnect: the focus appears to shift away from value for care to value for money, costing councils nearly £24bn a year. At James' Place, our approach contrasts sharply with this national crisis. We prioritise the happiness and well-being of our members over profits, ensuring that every penny spent translates into direct, meaningful benefits for those we care for. We believe in a system that upholds dignity, provides timely support, and truly values its members. 🤔 We want to hear from you: How can we redefine value in adult social care to prioritise human well-being over financial gain? What steps can be taken to ensure that every individual receives the care they deserve without delay? Join the conversation, and together, we can advocate for change and ensure that adult social care is a priority, not a postscript. Read the full Guardian article here: https://lnkd.in/eEXbSCMa #AdultSocialCareCrisis #CareNotProfit #JamesPlaceValues #SocialCareReform

Significant reform of children’s social care is so desperately needed, so I’m relieved to see this at last from Department for Education. The current system is delivering terrible outcomes for children, while spiralling costs for councils mean there is less and less money in the system for family support and early intervention. It should be a matter of national shame that we let down the most vulnerable children in our country, many of whom have been through terrible trauma, family breakdown and adverse childhood experiences. That companies profit from this never fails to shock me. Glad to hear Bridget Phillipson on BBC Breakfast sharing a vision of all children having a loving and stable family home. And where that isn’t possible, that children experience high quality care, as much like a family environment as possible. The devil is always in the detail of course, and how quickly investment will flow into family support and early intervention isn’t clear. But I know so many across the sector stand ready to make it work. BBC News (07:31) https://lnkd.in/e7dEvaam https://lnkd.in/eqnTF9p4

The Spring Budget highlights a concerning lack of action regarding the long-standing promise to address the crisis in adult social care. While financial support was rightly allocated to the child social care system, the neglect of adult social care is deeply troubling. Without urgent intervention, our sector is edging closer to a critical point. We echo the sentiment from Care England that quality care for our loved ones is paramount, and we urge the government to prioritise and fulfill its commitment to fixing social care #budget #care #support Care Home Professional #government #socialcare