News
Test kits for schools
The Government has updated guidance for schools and further education providers on the initial supply of home testing kits for pupils, teachers and staff. This includes additional information for providers in particularly high-risk areas who may be eligible for an additional delivery of test kits.
Adoption
The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson has urged significant changes to the adoption system. In our response, we emphasised councils’ commitment to finding loving homes for all children and called on the Government to fully resource children’s social care.
Exemptions for adopters
The new regulations setting out the three tiers of COVID-19 restrictions provide exceptions to the rule of six and the rule of household mixing for the purposes of prospective adopters (including their household) meeting children who may be placed with them. This aims to prevent unnecessary delays to children moving in with their adoptive family.
Regional Adoption Agencies
The Department for Education has published two new reports on regional adoption agencies (RAAs). The second evaluation of regional adoption agencies considers the progress and effectiveness of RAAs to date. Adopter experiences of RAAs have also been analysed.
Kinship care
The Cross-party Parliamentary Taskforce on Kinship Care has published its report, First Thought Not Afterthought, summarising its research to support improved support for kinship care. Grandparents Plus has published its State of the Nation survey which collates the views of more than 500 kinship carers.
Free school travel
The Department for Education has updated guidance on additional school and college transport capacity funding allocations for home-to-school travel for children from low-income families. The update provides new information on the funding local authorities will receive to support additional dedicated school and college transport for the Autumn term.
#ThisIsEarlyYears
The Early Years Alliance are calling for support for their campaign #ThisIsEarlyYears to support their asks in the spending review. They are asking for providers to submit examples of their work for the Alliance to use. There is also a resource available to show the number of providers in an area and how the funding rates have changed over the past three years.
Black and Asian Family Helpline
A Black and Asian family Covid-19 helpline and webchat facility has been set up by Barnardo’s, encouraging children, young people and families from these communities who have been impacted by Covid-19 to speak about their worries and stresses. It provides therapeutic support, as well as signposting to other organisations who can provide further help.
Publications
A child-centred recovery
We have launched a new report, A child centred recovery, outlining our call for the government to put children and young people at the heart of recovery planning. The report also outlines ways in which councils and the government can take a child-focussed approach to policy and decision-making.
Events
Early years event
This year, The Royal Foundation and Ipsos MORI conducted an extensive body of research to hear what the nation has to say about the importance of the early years. They will be hosting an event on 25 November to share the results. You can register for the early years event online.
National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC)
Aimed at local leaders of adults and children’s social care, this annual conference will take place online this year between 4 – 6 November 2020. The joint ADASS, ADCS and LGA event will include a range of keynote, sub-plenary and panel sessions delivered by prominent figures in the adult, children and education sectors, including ministers. Delegate places cost just £100+VAT per person for the entire event, giving delegates access to all sessions across all 3 days. For more information and to make a booking, visit NCASC's website.
first magazine
LGA's membership magazine 'first' is received as a hard copy by over 18,000 councillors and 400 chief executives. In a response to demand, we have made it easier to read online by creating a dedicated website to read all of its articles, interviews and opinion pieces.
|
|
