"A special edition of In the Now: A story of an atrocity against children, a cover-up, and the sheer strength of survivors. One Canadian `Duplessis Orphan` shares what she had to go through in her childhood."
bowling
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Towards a New World Order
Amongst other topics, the UK Column News goes into some detail about the threat to Freedom of Information.
Towards the end of the news, Brian Gerrish points to an article that went up on their website yesterday which he invites parents and grandparents to read and share: The former Children`s Commissioner in her own words by Martin Edwards.
Brian Gerrish says: "In her own words - this lady is giving more than a glimpse into what the government plans for children... We, the state, own your children. I believe it is up to nineteen."
Mike Robinson adds that that is not far away from the Named Person scheme.
Read the article HERE
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
The Scottish experiment
Sir Harry Burns ,who was Chief Medical Officer for eight years, left the Scottish Government in 2014 to become Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Strathclyde. He is very enthusiastic about early intervention and prevention.
Here he is talking at the Raising Attainment For All conference.
RAfA LS 10 - Sir Harry Burns from Raising Attainment For All on Vimeo.
Sir Harry begins his talk by introducing the audience to Nina, his little granddaughter, who was filmed in a bookstore selecting a book. He says: "So Peppa`s just been joined by her little brother just two weeks old whom she calls George. That`s not his name but Peppa Pig`s little brother is George. So Peppa now knows that every little brother is called George. So what you`ve been doing has certainly worked in my family."
Has it ? Sir Harry has just confused his granddaughter with Peppa Pig !
But having softened up the audience, he then explains that he has been doing a lot of international things with the World Health Organisation, World Bank and the United Nations who all favour early intervention and a life course approach. No doubt, they will be very interested in the social experiment going on in Scotland.
He goes on to say: "We`re on the verge in Scotland of having a very complex linked dataset that will allow us to detect, I hope, the pattern of social pressure in homes that might lead to significant adverse events. Are you ready for that ?"
"Are you beginning to think how you might respond to that ?"
"Because this is children`s lives we`re talking about; not just deaths of children in childhood but the way in which they live their lives thereafter. And beginning to plot it all; beginning to use intelligence to protect abuse and neglect we need to up our game in the course of the next year or two."
As he said at the beginning of his speech: "It`s become clear to me that the kind of insights that you`re gathering...the approaches that you`re developing - actually the rest of the world needs them."
The Rest of the World be warned.
"Transforming the health and wellbeing of Scots is the single most important thing we can do and at the heart of that process is doing things for children, getting children off to the best possible start in life. The Bookbug programme is a critical part of it. Getting children to read and getting parents reading to children and sharing that experience will have a very significant impact on their future health and wellbeing."
Sir Harry Burns, Professor of Global Public Health, Strathclyde University
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/files/bookbug_awareness_session_for_health_staff_2015.pdfAccording to this view, all Scotland`s woes and inequalities are due to their negligent parenting. No wonder he thinks all children in Scotland need a Named Person !
Here he is talking at the Raising Attainment For All conference.
RAfA LS 10 - Sir Harry Burns from Raising Attainment For All on Vimeo.
Sir Harry begins his talk by introducing the audience to Nina, his little granddaughter, who was filmed in a bookstore selecting a book. He says: "So Peppa`s just been joined by her little brother just two weeks old whom she calls George. That`s not his name but Peppa Pig`s little brother is George. So Peppa now knows that every little brother is called George. So what you`ve been doing has certainly worked in my family."
Has it ? Sir Harry has just confused his granddaughter with Peppa Pig !
But having softened up the audience, he then explains that he has been doing a lot of international things with the World Health Organisation, World Bank and the United Nations who all favour early intervention and a life course approach. No doubt, they will be very interested in the social experiment going on in Scotland.
He goes on to say: "We`re on the verge in Scotland of having a very complex linked dataset that will allow us to detect, I hope, the pattern of social pressure in homes that might lead to significant adverse events. Are you ready for that ?"
"Are you beginning to think how you might respond to that ?"
"Because this is children`s lives we`re talking about; not just deaths of children in childhood but the way in which they live their lives thereafter. And beginning to plot it all; beginning to use intelligence to protect abuse and neglect we need to up our game in the course of the next year or two."
As he said at the beginning of his speech: "It`s become clear to me that the kind of insights that you`re gathering...the approaches that you`re developing - actually the rest of the world needs them."
The Rest of the World be warned.
Brain games
From Scientific American
"If you’ve spent more than about 5 minutes surfing the web, listening to the radio, or watching TV in the past few years, you will know that cognitive training—better known as "brain training"—is one of the hottest new trends in self improvement. Lumosity, which offers web-based tasks designed to improve cognitive abilities such as memory and attention, boasts 50 million subscribers and advertises on National Public Radio. Cogmed claims to be "a computer-based solution for attention problems caused by poor working memory," and BrainHQ will help you "make the most of your unique brain." The promise of all of these products, implied or explicit, is that brain training can make you smarter—and make your life better."
"Yet, according to a statement released by the Stanford University Center on Longevity and the Berlin Max Planck Institute for Human Development, there is no solid scientific evidence to back up this promise. Signed by 70 of the world’s leading cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists, the statement minces no words:"
"The strong consensus of this group is that the scientific literature does not support claims that the use of software-based "brain games" alters neural functioning in ways that improve general cognitive performance in everyday life, or prevent cognitive slowing and brain disease."
"The bottom line is that there is no solid evidence that commercial brain games improve general cognitive abilities. But isn’t it better to go on brain training with the hope, if not the expectation, that scientists will someday discover that it has far-reaching benefits? The answer is no. Scientists have already identified activities that improve cognitive functioning, and time spent on brain training is time that you could spend on these other things. One is physical exercise. In a long series of studies, University of Illinois psychologist Arthur Kramer has convincingly demonstrated that aerobic exercise improves cognitive functioning. The other activity is simply learning new things. Fluid intelligence is hard to change, but "crystallized" intelligence—a person’s knowledge and skills—is not. Learn how to play the piano or cook a new dish, and you have increased your crystallized intelligence. "
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/brain-training-doesn-t-make-you-smarter/
I am quite sceptical about the claims being made for digital learning and the article, which criticises the idea that digital games can improve cognitive function, is quite suggestive.
Of course, children need to learn digital skills, coding, and so on - but the Scottish Government is looking for more than that.
A well-defined strategy will help to make sure that digital technology is embedded in learning and teaching across the curriculum.That is the problem: digital technology is to be embedded across the curriculum - and despite what they say about problem solving and collaborative learning and all the rest of it, there is no evidence that doing this will improve learning in general. On the contrary, it could mean time wasted and the loss of traditional skills.
There is a public consultation about the Scottish Government`s digital strategy which closes 17 December 2015.
https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/learning-directorate/digital-learning
Monday, 14 December 2015
Hospitals fail to investigate deaths
The failure of the NHS to investigate the unexpected deaths of nearly 1,500 patients with mental health and learning disabilities was reported by the BBC. A leaked report blamed the culture of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and its leadership.
Although it is the case that some groups fare worse than others, such as the learning disabled and the elderly, failure to properly investigate deaths is widespread across NHS.
From the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (08 December 2015)
"Nearly three quarters of hospital investigations into complaints about avoidable harm and death claimed there were no failings in the care given, despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigations of the same incidents uncovering serious failings."
"The wide-ranging review of the quality of NHS investigations into complaints about avoidable harm or death by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, found that inadequate hospital investigations are leaving distraught patients and families without answers and delaying much-needed service improvements..."
"Cases highlighted in the report include:
The parents of a baby girl, who was left with permanent brain damage due to errors with a blood transfusion, had to wait three years to find out what happened to their child. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found that the NHS's investigation was carried out by a close colleague of the paediatrician in charge the day the mistake happened.
In another case a young mother had her life cut short because of serious failings by a hospital trust to carry out tests to diagnose breast cancer and begin treatment. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigation found that the trust failed to fully investigate the case and did not acknowledge the extent of the failings or the impact on the patient."
http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/about-us/news-centre/press-releases/2015/devastated-families-left-without-answers-as-avoidable-death-and-harm-incidents-arent-being-investigated-properly-by-hospitals-across-england2
Although it is the case that some groups fare worse than others, such as the learning disabled and the elderly, failure to properly investigate deaths is widespread across NHS.
From the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (08 December 2015)
"Nearly three quarters of hospital investigations into complaints about avoidable harm and death claimed there were no failings in the care given, despite the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigations of the same incidents uncovering serious failings."
"The wide-ranging review of the quality of NHS investigations into complaints about avoidable harm or death by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, found that inadequate hospital investigations are leaving distraught patients and families without answers and delaying much-needed service improvements..."
"Cases highlighted in the report include:
In another case a young mother had her life cut short because of serious failings by a hospital trust to carry out tests to diagnose breast cancer and begin treatment. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigation found that the trust failed to fully investigate the case and did not acknowledge the extent of the failings or the impact on the patient."
http://www.ombudsman.org.uk/about-us/news-centre/press-releases/2015/devastated-families-left-without-answers-as-avoidable-death-and-harm-incidents-arent-being-investigated-properly-by-hospitals-across-england2
Saturday, 12 December 2015
Operation Notarise uncovers 100s of offenders
"A huge police investigation, led by the National Crime Agency, has led to the arrest of almost 700 child abuse image offenders, and the protection of 100s of children."
"Operation Notarise was set up 9 months ago to respond to the threat of online abuse and child sexual exploitation in the UK. Since its launch, the NCA and police forces have collaborated to uncover hundreds of offenders unknown to the police."
"Jon Brown, NSPCC lead on tackling sexual abuse, said: "
"This excellent police work has uncovered a dark underbelly of child abuse crime that, frighteningly, only reveals a part of the picture. The operation clearly shows the vast scale of the problem and the serious risk posed to children by offenders within all elements of society."
"The number of offenders identified in positions of trust – health workers, teachers or in those in caring professions – is deeply disturbing. And equally worrying is the fact that nearly all of those caught were not known to police."
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/fighting-for-childhood/news-opinion/huge-online-child-abuse-operation-catches-100s?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=tweet&utm_content=news_organic_tweet&utm_campaign=twitter_generic
"Operation Notarise was set up 9 months ago to respond to the threat of online abuse and child sexual exploitation in the UK. Since its launch, the NCA and police forces have collaborated to uncover hundreds of offenders unknown to the police."
"Jon Brown, NSPCC lead on tackling sexual abuse, said: "
"This excellent police work has uncovered a dark underbelly of child abuse crime that, frighteningly, only reveals a part of the picture. The operation clearly shows the vast scale of the problem and the serious risk posed to children by offenders within all elements of society."
"The number of offenders identified in positions of trust – health workers, teachers or in those in caring professions – is deeply disturbing. And equally worrying is the fact that nearly all of those caught were not known to police."
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/fighting-for-childhood/news-opinion/huge-online-child-abuse-operation-catches-100s?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=tweet&utm_content=news_organic_tweet&utm_campaign=twitter_generic
Will Katrina Percy resign ?
Katrina Percy, Chief Executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust was celebrated as one of the most inspirational women in healthcare in the Health Service Journal...
"In November 2012 Katrina beat tough competition from other NHS leaders from across the country to win ‘Chief Executive of the Year’. "
http://www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/news/archive/2013/hsjwomen/
Recently Ms Percy`s climb to stardom has taken a downturn. There have been an avalanche of protests since the Mazars report was leaked to the BBC about the 1000 and more unexplained deaths in the care of Southern Health NHS Trust.
From ITV.com
Statement from Katrina Percy, Chief Executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust:
Does Ms Percy feel that, considering the comments of Jeremy Hunt - "The Government is profoundly shocked by the findings of the report which are totally unacceptable" - she should resign as Chief Executive?
Do other senior members of the Trust feel they should 'step down' over the comments by Mr Hunt of "a lack of leadership"?
"It is my job and that of the Board to continue to lead on the comprehensive programme of improvements which we have been making over the last 18 months. We owe it to the people we support to make these improvements and it is this that we are focussed on."
_Does Ms Percy and the Trust feel they have let down the most vulnerable members of our society?_
"We apologise to anybody who feels let down by any aspect of our service. The safety and welfare of the people we support is of utmost importance and we take seriously any part of service which has not met the high standards we expect. We have accepted that our processes have not always been as good as they need to be and are committed to improving them."
What does she say to the families of the 1,454 people who have died unexpectedly between April 2011 and March 2015?
"I say that we have already made significant improvements to the way we report and investigate unexpected deaths, and are working extremely hard to encourage other organisations to do the same. "
The full report - not the leaked one - will be released before Christmas...
http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2015-12-10/statement-from-chief-exec-of-southern-health-nhs-foundation-trust/
Some families are speaking out:
What a difference a day makes
David-Goliath-Katrina
GMP: genetically modified percy
Friday, 11 December 2015
Safe record keeping
Are you a parent due to watch your child become a shepherd, a king, Joseph, Mary or even a donkey - in a school nativity...
Posted by Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) on Wednesday, December 9, 2015
"A recently published article in Community Care raises the issue of whether or not parents can record meetings with social workers, and serves as a good reminder to those who may not yet know the position. Whilst local authorities and social work professionals often try to discourage the practice, citing confidentiality, data protection and human rights principles, there is in fact nothing in law or policy preventing families from audio recording child protection meetings they attend. "
"A Freedom of Information request revealed that most councils do not have proper policies in place to deal with the practice of recording sessions, both overt, and covert. When we assist parents, our advice is always robust – by all means record the session. Whilst it is good practice to ask for the agreement of all involved in the first instance, if that agreement is not forthcoming, covert recording, (recording done without the other parties’ knowledge or consent) is a method of last resort."
"As CAFCASS guidance points out, social workers who remain professional and carry out their duties competently, have nothing to fear."
Read more http://researchingreform.net/2015/12/10/parents-can-record-child-protection-meetings/
It`s good to know that we can record important events in our lives.
I mean, what kind of society would we be living in, if only the official version of family events was allowed ?
This should apply to meetings with Named Persons as well.
Deaths were not properly investigated
"The NHS has failed to investigate the unexpected deaths of more than 1,000 people since 2011, according to a report obtained by BBC News."
"It blames a "failure of leadership" at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust."
"It says the deaths of mental health and learning-disability patients were not properly examined..."
"The trust covers Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, providing services to about 45,000 people..."
"The culture of Southern Health, which has been led by Katrina Percy since it was created in 2011, `results in lost learning, a lack of transparency when care problems occur, as well as lack of assurance to families that a death was not avoidable and has been properly investigated,` the report says."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35051845?SThisFB
"It blames a "failure of leadership" at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust."
"It says the deaths of mental health and learning-disability patients were not properly examined..."
"The trust covers Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, providing services to about 45,000 people..."
"The culture of Southern Health, which has been led by Katrina Percy since it was created in 2011, `results in lost learning, a lack of transparency when care problems occur, as well as lack of assurance to families that a death was not avoidable and has been properly investigated,` the report says."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35051845?SThisFB
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