Child Protection

Research report from the University of Central Lancashire and the NSPCC, which examines the police notification process and subsequent service pathways followed by families brought to the attention of children's social services in this way. It also explores which other agencies contributed to services for families experiencing domestic violence and captures young people's, survivors' and perpetrators' views of services.

This episode of Radio 4's Woman's Hour series looks at living with an abusive mother. In 2001, Dave Pelzer wrote about the horrific abuse he suffered at the hands of his mother during his childhood, and how she encouraged his brothers to treat him as 'the family slave'. One brother in particular stood out. Now, that brother has written his own version of events.

Jenni Murray talks to Richard Pelzer about his role as his mother's main collaborator and how, when Dave was taken away, he fell from favour and found himself on the receiving end of the abuse.

The topics in this report include: an overview of how the Children's Hearings system works; experiences of the premises used for hearings; the deliberations of the hearings which were observed; the excellent training programme for panel members; the changing role of reporters; concerns about resources available to service the system; legal aid and representation; and a summary of recommendations.

This episode of Radio 4's Woman's Hour series looks at building a network for young people and NSPCC youth centres. When a young person has problems, often the last thing they want to do is to confide in a social worker. Many regard such people as frightening figures of authority with a quite terrifying degree of power over their lives, including the right to take them away from their families, or to force them to move foster homes against their will.

The Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) promotes, supports and defends the principles and practice of independent advocacy across Scotland. This newsletter provides an update on the progress of the SIAA and includes information about the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, as well as the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership Exchange, which looked at advocacy, recovery and peer support. There are also details about a forensic mental health initiative which develops services for Mentally Disordered Offenders.

This report sets out the government response to the findings and recommendations of the Cullen Inquiry following the shootings at Dunblane Primary School by Thomas Hamilton on 13 March 1996. Comment is made on: recommendations on the certification system relating to Section 1 firearms; police powers and the legal responsibilities of licensed gun or firearms clubs; restriction of the availability of Section 1 firearms and amendment of existing firearms legislation accordingly.

This Act of Scottish Parliament establishes a new independent body to regulate care services in Scotland to be known as the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care ('The Commission'). It also establishes a system of care regulation, encompassing the registration and inspection of care services against a set of national care standards and the taking of any enforcement action; a new independent body, to be known as the Scottish Social Services Council ('The Council') to regulate social service workers and to promote and regulate their education and training.

This report sets out the findings of the Cullen Inquiry following the shootings at Dunblane Primary School by Thomas Hamilton on 13 March 1996. The aim of the Inquiry was to clarify the exact circumstances leading up to and surrounding the incident, and to provide recommendations to safeguard the public against the misuse of firearms and other issues raised by the investigation.

Key recommendations include improved school security; the certification of firearms; and the vetting and supervision of adults working with children.

First in a series of lectures designed to honour the memory and achievement of Lord Kilbrandon, who wrote one of the most influential policy statements on how a society should deal with 'children in trouble'.

The lecture concentrates on the system of juvenile justice.

This episode of Radio 4's Woman's Hour series looks at the 100,000 children under 16 living in the UK who run away from home. We hear from a woman whose twelve year old daughter persistently ran away and was frequently returned to the family home by the police. Jill Colbert from the Safe in the City project in Salford - who works with young runaways - and John Wheeler from Childline will be joining Jenni Murray to discuss the difficulties that parents of runaways can face in accessing help.