The charities who think they make Scotland the best place to grow up

Putting the baby IN the bathwater is a coalition of some 80 organisations and individuals who think they know how to make Scotland the best place to grow up. It includes Action for Children, Barnardo`s, NSPCC, Children 1st and others on the list of usual suspects.

Their first annual report Social Justice Begins with Babies was brought out in November 2014 in which they claim that 40 percent of public expenditure is spent on problems that could have been prevented. They do outline some of the problems - the mess that has to be cleaned up - in the document.  Lower life expectancy, criminality, drug addiction, alcoholism, poor educational attainment and mental health issues are some of the enduring negative consequences of adverse childhood experiences. So they say.

According to them: "Too many babies and toddlers have their immediate wellbeing compromised (and their life chances diminished) by being `dealt a bad hand` during the crucial developmental period from conception through age two." Anyone now suffering the intrusive interrogations of the midwife or health visitor has this group to thank for it:  "The Children and Young People Act now contains a statutory duty for all children`s services` plans to include a prevention element. The Act was amended by adding: `Part 12 - Services to children at risk of becoming looked after, etc. By explicitly beginning with pregnancy, the new section added a much more preventative, earliest years focus."  The coalition is proud to have achieved this amendment to the Act.

As far as the coalition of charities and their associates are concerned, it is the first 1,001 days of a child`s life that are the most important for its development and this is where the focus of attention should be. Of course that does mean that the spotlight will be on families, particularly mothers, who must prove that by cooperating with services they are no risk to the future of their children. Or the future of society for that matter.

http://www.celcis.org/media/resources/publications/Baby-in-Bathwater-Coaltion-Report-2014.pdf



The documentary Kids Behind Bars examines the experiences of children in different parts of the world who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Some might say they are part of the mess that has to be cleaned up, but that is why juxtapositions can be revealing.  It is a crass way to think. The simplistic notion that there are 1,001 crucial days to fix children and their future problems, jars with the harsh realities of life for many of these children.

One thing comes across clearly: they are not bad kids and yet they are prepared to find fault with themselves. Some of them are well aware of the trap they find themselves in, and can only fantasize that next time is going to be different. It is not that love can break the cycle - the youngsters do love their mothers and are disappointed if she does not show up when they are incarcerated - but outside nature dictates they must pull away, drugs numb the bad feelings. Anybody who believes these problems could have been prevented by early interventions within the family, starting pre-birth, must be wearing the thickest of blinkers.

The documentary shows that each country has its unique approach with varying degrees of success in dealing with wayward children. North America has its bootcamps, the south has its Hell holes. Surprisingly, the country that turned out to have been the most successful in terms of the lowest rate of recidivism was Turkey. It neither used a punitive approach, nor a `naval-gazing look at life` approach. It simply distracted children and filled their time with activities. So enriching was this experience for children that they just wanted it to go on. But thinking about it, what else do children need other than a life to live?

The early naval- gazing pre-birth approach in Scotland

Kids are brought up within societies. Even if the charities - despite their claimed expertise -  are clueless, surely social workers should be aware that society is more than the sum of its families and the first 1,001 days. After all, they are the lead agents in children`s services and they do bear the title `SOCIAL worker`. They should know that problems in society have social factors too and cannot be predicted by assessing pregnant women. Well you would think so.

But then social workers are experiencing their own crisis:

What this inevitably implies is that there is no universal body of knowledge for social workers. What is seen to be valid knowledge or indeed the function of social work is defined by many others outwith the profession including academics, educators, professionals, administrators, politicians, users, carers and the media.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/47121/0020821.pdf

And the third sector !

Essex police apologise to families

Deputy Chief Constable Derek Benson

"A 24-strong specialist child abuse team within Essex Police has been split up after an investigation appeared to show problems including the faking of a signature on a victim’s statement and failing to act on crime reports."

"The Chief Constable of Essex apologised for the problems within some 30 inquiries that dated back to the 1960s and involved nearly 60 victims. The crimes included rapes, with some of the victims very young children."

"Police said they had contacted the families of those involved to apologise for what had happened. Officials said last night it was "highly likely" that children had been abused as a result of the failure by police officers to carry out basic investigations."

"One officer within the unit has been suspended while 11 others have been moved to restricted duties after the cases were referred for further investigation to the police watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission. (IPCC)..."

"Essex Police have apologised for the problems with inquiries that involved nearly 60 victims The scale of the problems emerged after the IPCC was asked to investigate five officers last year from the north Essex child abuse team over claims that an officer fraudulently signed a witness statement. It was also investigating members of the unit over its response to reports that a girl had been the victim of child sexual exploitation, the IPCC said. Further cases were identified after a new head of public protection was appointed in September. In addition to delays in arresting suspects and protecting children, officers were alleged to have failed to pass details of cases to prosecutors to consider if charges should be brought...."

"Essex Police said that 29 of the 30 cases were now being investigated by a beefed-up team and suspects have been charged in three of the cases. Seventeen of the cases date back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. One case of an assault on a child was closed because there was not enough evidence to proceed, said Deputy Chief Constable Derek Benson."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/essex-polices-failure-to-investigate-30-abuse-claims-left-children-vulnerable-10039862.html#

Lord Pentland`s judgement is to be appealed

"Opponents of plans to appoint a "state guardian" for every child in Scotland are to appeal after a judge rejected a legal challenge against the policy."
"The "named person" measure in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act will see a single point of contact, such as a teacher or health visitor, assigned to every child in Scotland. They will be responsible for looking out for the welfare of children under 18."

"Last month Lord Pentland refused a petition for the judicial review of the legislation at the Court of Session, Scotland's top civil court. However, the No To Named Persons campaign group has now confirmed it will continue its fight against the law, which it says represents too much government interference in the lives of families..."

"A motion has now been formally lodged at the Court of Session asking a panel of three judges to consider the proposals again. A No To Named Persons spokesman said: "We are now more convinced than ever that this legislation is wrong for children, wrong for families and wrong for Scotland."

"The legislation has been a muddled mess since its inception and the concept has always been confusing. We're confident that our grounds for appeal are strong and we have wonderful backing from ordinary mums and dads outraged by this imposition into their family lives."..

"The spokesman added: "Remarkably, the guidance issued last week on how it would be implemented, which was supposed to clarify and illuminate matters, has only served to muddy the waters even more. It contains 109 pages of impenetrable, incoherent and incomprehensible politically correct doublespeak. Our experts have trawled through the guidance and remain none the wiser about how a named person is supposed to carry out the role. Instead of giving practitioners clear direction, the guidance just pushes the problems of how to operate the scheme over to them."

http://news.stv.tv/scotland-decides/news/309934-no-to-named-persons-to-continue-fight-against-children-and-young-people-act/

Mother seeks justice for Thomas Rawnsley

"A HEARTBROKEN mother has vowed to seek justice for her disabled teenage son who died after collapsing at a mental health hospital he had been sent to miles away from his family."

"Thomas Rawnsley, 19, who suffered Down's Syndrome, died last week after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the specialist unit in Sheffield where he had been moved to last summer against his family's wishes."

"Bradford Council's Social Services and Bradford District Care Trust had said at the time it had no other care option in Bradford for him but Thomas's parents Paula and Paul Rawnsley have been battling ever since to bring him back under a specialist care package."

"They claim at a safeguarding meeting with Bradford Council's assistant director for adult and community services Lyn Sowray only last month they had warned officials of their fears for their son but say their desperate pleas fell on deaf ears."

"His family have been told Thomas suffered a sharp drop in his oxygen levels causing the cardiac arrest and swelling of his brain last week."

"He was taken to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital and died last Wednesday - two days after he was admitted. South Yorkshire Police found there were no suspicious circumstances but there will be an inquest..."

"Thomas's funeral will be held at St Paul's Church in Wibsey on February 19, followed by burial at North Bierley Cemetery."

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11784901.Family_of_tragic_teenager_vow_to_fight_for_justice/?ref=fbshr

See http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2015/02/03/thomas-rawnsley-abuse-separation-unexplained-injuries-heart-attack

State intrusion into family life

Below, John Waters and Kathy Sinnott from the Republic of Ireland make the case for saying no to the Children`s Referendum amendment. They warn that the amendment undermines parental authority and the potential of forced adoption threatens all families.

The Children`s rights referendum is not about protecting vulnerable children, says Kathy Sinnott . "What it is really about is taking parental authority from parents and transferring it to the state."

She goes on to say that children have more rights than anyone else. (17.12) Firstly, they are protected as persons, the same as for adults. Secondly they have their rights upheld within the family. Then they have rights in terms of state help: a right to education, a right to have protection if their parents fail.

What would motivate the Government to encroach further? Parents advocate for their children, says Kathy Sinnott, to ensure their children`s rights and so prove themselves a nuisance to the state. In an age of austerity rights cost money and that is a problem for the Government. 

Unfortunately, voters in the Republic of Ireland approved the amendment but with a low turnout of 33.5 percent.

Too many people were sleeping.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20287674

Where the state is encroaching into family life, there is hardly a country in the western world where these same arguments cannot be made. Children are well covered by the law, so why introduce another layer of legislation?  Instead, how about applying the current legislation more wisely? 

The Scottish Government`s proposal to appoint a `named person`for every child from birth to 18, without opt-out, is a brazen piece of legislation to undermine parental authority and the right children have to be cared for and protected within their own family.  How are parents expected to advocate for their children when it is the named person who has the last word?

Lord Pentland has said:

There is no reason to suppose that named persons will intrude inappropriately or to an excessive degree in the lives of children and young persons or that they will act in a manner to undermine family life.  

Then it is about time the Scottish Government provided the `opt out,`or we have every reason to suppose that state intrusion into family life is the motivation behind the `named person` legislation. 

Off on a tangent:  To check out the quality of some of the judiciary in Scotland have a look at the link below:

http://petercherbi.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/lord-fly-bye-scotlands-courts-in-slow.html

Robert Green continues to campaign on behalf of Hollie Greig

"ROB Green, who continues to campaign on behalf of alleged paedophile ring victim Hollie Greig, has pleaded guilty to breaching a court order although other charges against him have been dropped."

"The Appleton resident has campaigned since 2008 for allegations by the Down's Syndrome girl she was abused by predators in Scotland to be 'properly' investigated."
 
"Mr Green claims a failure for authorities in Scotland to do so suggests a cover-up, as people in positions of power are allegedly implicated."

"He appeared in court in Aberdeenshire last month, when he said charges he had threatened people involved in the alleged cover-up were dropped. However, the 68-year-old admitted one charge of breaching a non-harassment order after naming alleged paedophiles in a letter. "I pleaded guilty on the advice of my excellent legal team," said Mr Green. "But charges about making direct threats were withdrawn."

"And Mr Green said he is outraged by the withdrawal, as it was allegations he posed a threat that saw him remanded in prison for three months at HMP Perth last year. It was the second time he has been incarcerated in connection to the Hollie Greig case."

"The threat charges were the reason I was locked up for 90 days," he said. "They clearly had no evidence on that and were using the charges as a way to keep me in prison."

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/11778636.Hollie_Greig_campaigner_breaches_court_order_but__threat__charges_dropped/

How the `named person` will work in practice

A consultation has been launched on how controversial plans to appoint a "named person" for every child in Scotland would work in practice.

The Scottish Government is seeking views on draft guidance to implement measures in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act. The Act, passed by MSPs last February and due to come into force in 2016, would assign a single point of contact, such as a teacher or health visitor, to look out for the welfare of children under 18.

Supporters say the service will act as a safety net to help families and children if they need it, to speed things up and avoid families having to speak to numerous different services.

Most families do not need a safety net, are not looking for services and do not require to `speed things up`. At the same time, those families who require extra services for their vulnerable children are finding that the services do not exist because money is being squandered on the `named person` scheme.

The policy is already being rolled out in parts of Scotland including Highland, Edinburgh, Fife, Angus and South Ayrshire.

Unfortunately, yes. 8,000 children are now on a child plan in the Highland Council.  8,000 happy families being provided quality services? - I don`t think so.

Speaking at the launch of the three-month consultation, Alex Cole-Hamilton, head of policy at children's charity Aberlour Child Care Trust, said: "I can understand that there is a lot of anxiety, particularly in those groups that are opposed to it. I think a lot of that anxiety stems from misinformation and some misunderstanding of the provisions of the Act.

I think Mr Hamilton has been having conversations with Jackie Brock:

"Children in Scotland chief executive Jackie Brock said concerns over the proposal was the result of a "misunderstanding" of what the proposal would involve in practice." 

http://alicemooreuk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/who-really-wants-named-person-for-their.html 

These government funded charities work in packs. Recall how they worked along with local authorities to support the `named person` proposal, outnumbering the tokenistic opposition groups, during the original consultation. It`s called `participatory` democracy but there is nothing democratic about the process.

"Michael Urquhart, head teacher at Edinburgh's Murrayburn Primary School, said his experience of being a named person had been positive."  He was also reassured that the named person would not face legal repercussions if something should go badly wrong with a child.  I think I see where Mr Urquart, the named person, is coming from.

Also Mr Cole-Hamilton who said: "It's highly unlikely that the named person would be seen as the sole responsibility for the reason that person derailed."  Obviously. It`s joined up working; it`s the great Collaborative and it`s easy to figure out how that will work in practice.  I imagine the great Collaborative could derail quite a few people.

Although he does not mention it, Mr  Hamilton is well aware of what the `named person` is really about.

Aberlour supports the coordinated delivery of services through joint planning and design..Throughout childhood, all those who undertake the role of the named person need to be absolutely clear about their level of accountability for that child`s wellbeing and the responsibilities they are expected to discharge. They will need clearly delineated lines of communication and robust guidance around appropriate sharing of information. 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/5874/0 

 

Data sharing.

Everybody who works with children, no matter in what capacity, professional or voluntary, has a responsibility to pass on any concerns they have about a child`s wellbeing (a very broad term). It could be as simple as feeling something is not right or noticing a change. Information like that, which is hardly information at all, must be passed on to the named person who is there to collect the data, who might then be obliged to request further information from other private sources in order to make a decision; so gathering more personal data. This data is placed in an electronic file and passed on to the next named person, on and on, for eighteen years, building up a nice big file on each child and their family.

The named person policy is a DATA GRAB. There are no services that could not be provided without this unnecessary intrusion. As for a child`s right to a private and family life - or anybody else`s for that matter - those days will be long gone.

Read more http://news.stv.tv/scotland/309430-public-views-sought-on-named-person-plan-for-scots-children/
　

Another Haringey failure ?

"A six-month-old baby boy died after Haringey social workers decided he was not at risk despite knowing his mother was a murderer."

"Police arrested a 30-year-old woman, believed to be the boy's mother, and a man, 26, thought to be her partner, after the boy was found with head injuries two weeks ago."

"Haringey Council admitted the boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was not placed on the 'at risk' register by child services, despite being informed the mother's dark past by police and hospital staff."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2942474/Social-services-rocked-Baby-P-scandal-centre-new-probe-six-month-old-boy-dead-head-injuries-Haringey-Council-knew-immigrant-mother-killer.html#ixzz3R1DGhECR

A more complex picture emerges about the Peter Conelly case but it is still difficult to understand some of these decisions.

Baby P: The Untold Story heard from an unidentified Ofsted inspector who said they were concerned that its original assessment documentation of the council's children's services department "disappeared" after its grading was changed from grade three, meaning "good", to grade one, indicating "inadequate", following publicity about Haringey's failings. "I think there were senior people within Ofsted who have never been held accountable for Ofsted's behaviour around the Baby P case," it was added.

The 90-minute documentary also presented damning evidence about Great Ormond Street Hospital, which managed the borough's medical staff. Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, who was accused of failing to notice Peter's broken back when she examined him there two days before he died, has come under heavy criticism but the programme claimed she should never have been expected to carry out the role she did at the clinic. Professor Jonathan Sibert, an expert in children's health, was asked to examine the conduct of doctors by GOSH, and said he was "gobsmacked" that she was given the responsibility.

"Great Ormond Street took on a community service, they've messed up, and they don't want people to know," she added.

Ms Shoesmith, who was sacked by the council but awarded almost £680,000 after claiming unfair dismissal , said she and her colleagues "wept together" when they read about what Peter had suffered. "The child was so vulnerable and we missed it," she says. "All of us - the police, the social workers, the health people, all of those health agencies - you could just go through it again and again. If only this, if only that. We missed it and we missed it and we missed it."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/baby-p-untold-story-new-4520174

Child sex abuse inquiry to take 3 years

Justice Lowell Goddard

"Justice Lowell Goddard, the newly appointed chairman of the inquiry into historic sexual abuse, has said her panel will not report back until 2018 but promised it would remain under control by setting ‘achievable goals’. "

"Following the chaos which surrounded the first attempts to set up the inquiry, with the departures of two chairmen over claims they were too close to the "Establishment," Justice Goddard promised that victims would play a key role in selecting the new panel and setting its parameters."

"Asked if she herself felt equipped to take on "the Establishment," she said: "Well, I’m a judge so that’s not a new thing for me. .."

"The senior New Zealand judge also disclosed that her inquiry would cover the events in Rotherham, where police and council chiefs fail to stop the abuse of teenage girls, while also making recommendations for the future. "

"Justice Goddard said she would carry out a "scoping exercise" to decide which material would be addressed, and had not yet decided whether to take the probe back to the period before 1970s."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11391902/Lowell-Goddard-new-head-of-sex-abuse-inquiry-says-inquiry-needs-achievable-goals.html


Rotherham councillors stand down

Chief Executive of Rotherham Borough Council Martin Kimber, who joined the authority in 2009,  agreed with the Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Lakin, that he would leave at the end of December.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rotherham-council-chief-quits-wake-4182235

Now Paul Lakin, along with his entire cabinet, has stood down from their roles yesterday after a new report commissioned in light of the child sexual exploitation scandal concluded that the authority was not fit for purpose. 

"Louise Casey's report found that 21 laptops were stolen from the council's Norfolk House building in October 2011."

"Today's report said the inspectors had been contacted by a whistle-blower - a former IT employee - who claimed "50% of children's data held by the council at the time" was lost in the theft but the information commissioner was not informed.  Ms Casey said: "The council admitted that some sensitive data was lost, including that relating to victims of CSE.."

"The council said they'll cooperate fully with any investigation."

http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/story/2015-02-04/councillors-and-police-officer-had-sex-with-victims/