Is it time for the next revolution in Children's Social Care?
About the Event
1989 was the last revolution in children's social care.
The Children Act was 30 years old last year. Conceived by Tory Peer Lord Mackay who steered it through the House of Lords and then the Commons. It was a response to the Cleveland Sex Abuse scandal. In Cleveland two over-zealous paediatricians formed an alliance with social workers. They used a dubious 'anal dilation' test to determine that sexual abuse had taken place. They took 121 children from their families.
The Children Act 1989 was a major step forward. It established the concept that children's rights were paramount. Long before the European Convention of Human Rights. It established a clear threshold for state intervention in families. It aimed to stop the abuse of professional power as happened in Cleveland.
Despite this progress, 30 years on, the care system continues to fail our children. In 2017-18, 58% of Local Authorities Children's Services were 'Inadequate' or 'Requires Improvement'*. Less than 1% of children or young people are in care*, yet 50% of children in custody are or have been in care**.
Join us on this webinar to explore what the issues are and debate what the next revolution in Children's Social Care should be.
This meeting will be hosted by Stuart Black - Chair North West Surrey Foster Care Association and Trustee for the Family Rights Group.