Young people and rights, welfare and safeguarding issues

Loaded: Thu, 24/04/2014 - 11:41

The former Children's Rights Director for England, Dr Roger Morgan, has published his final report on the views and experiences of children and young people with regard to rights, welfare and safeguarding issues.

Amongst the top 10 rights voted as most important by children were the right to be protected from abuse; not to be bullied; and not to be treated or punished in a way that is cruel and meant to make them feel bad about themselves.

For further information visit www.ofsted.gov.uk/news/childrens-rights-director-for-england-publishes-final-report?news=22515.

To download the report visit www.ofsted.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/surveys-and-good-practice/t/The%20children%E2%80%99s%20views%20digest.pdf.

Centrepoint has published information on local welfare provision following the abolition of the government’s discretionary social fund in April 2013, which was widely used by homeless young people.

Local authorities were to establish new local schemes to provide emergency welfare support. The information was obtained through freedom of information requests, with key findings from respondents including that:

  • At the end of January 2014, 49 percent of the funding allocated to local welfare assistance schemes remained unspent, a total of £136 million
  • 34 percent of local authorities had over 70 percent of their budget remaining at the end of January;
  • London and the East of England were the regions with the highest rate of underspend;
  • In total the local schemes had supported 212,753 people;
  • The number of young people who have received help from the local schemes since April 2013 is far lower than the number supported in the last year of the old Social Fund system;
  • Awards to young people under 25 represented 21 percent of the total awards made in the 86 areas that were able to provide age breakdowns; and
  • The amount awarded each month increased over the course of the year.

To download the report visit www.cypnow.co.uk/digital_assets/417/Centrepoint-FOI-summary.pdf.

Tags: 
Children, Young People & Families