Residential Child Care

AGMs are usually pretty boring events. This one was not, and historically, the National Child Minding Association meeting on 30 September 2006 may prove to have been one of the turning points in the development both of the child care profession and the service. It may not have seemed so to the forty or fifty … Read more

Since the psychologists Norman Garmezy and Lois Murphy introduced the term resilience into child development studies in the second half of the twentieth century it has become steadily more popular.  So much so that it is now probably fair to say that it is a part of the mainstream of child psychology.  I have just … Read more

Although the Webmag has earned some income from advertising, its main source of support over the last six and a half years has been grants and sponsorship from foundations and other organisations who want to see it succeed and continue to deliver a service. We would like to thank the Hesley Foundation for their recent … Read more

Here I am at the supermarket checkout. Right hand moves the stuff to the scanner. Left hand pushes it on. When I can, without being obvious, I glance at the clock. This time it’s another half an hour to the end of my shift. Last time I took a peek it was forty minutes. I … Read more

What is ADHD? “A…D…H… what”? used to be the standard response to my explanation for my son’s behaviour. Now it’s more like, “Oh yes, I know about ADHD – that’s badly behaved kids, isn’t it?” I did think we had moved on a little these past ten years – sometimes I wonder! Attention Deficit Hyperactivity … Read more

There has been a recent resurgence of interest in secure children’s homes for a number of reasons: some local authorities being forced to close their homes because of a lack of welfare referrals; the publication by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES )of Research Report No 749 Qualitative Study: The Use by Local Authorities … Read more

Chris Durkin argues that we should not give up on looked after children, but keep on giving them real opportunities to learn and succeed, both in school and in life outside For the last few years August has been the month of exam results in our household, and this year was no exception as we … Read more

We sat around the lounge as usual in our holiday house in North Wales for the final morning meeting and prayers.  As it happens, the sun was shining and the prospects for the day looked bright.  We had been staying in Snowdonia for two weeks as the Mill Grove family has done each summer for … Read more

I am a parent, a teacher, a qualified therapist and a child protection specialist. I worked for ChildLine* in its early days; I have also worked with Michelle Elliott at Kidscape*.  I have many years’ experience of the devastation which sexual abuse can wreak on a surviving child-victim and their family but I can only … Read more

A manifesto for looked after children In May 2007 there will be elections to the Scottish parliament. In preparation, a number of child care agencies, including SIRCC, have got together to draft a manifesto for looked after children. A substantial document has been produced – No time to lose – a title which aims to … Read more

Are Child Protection Conferences lawful proceedings?  Charles Pragnell argues that there are serious concerns regarding their legal basis and the procedures and processes involved and whether they are conducted in a just and fair manner in accordance with the principles of natural justice. The statistics published by the Department of Education and Skills indicate that … Read more

This is the third and last episode in Caitlin’s story. Her mother had died and she became distraught, realising she was now on her own, and living in a children’s home. If you want to read the first two, click here – Caitlin Part 1, Caitlin Part 2. When I had calmed down Jane took … Read more