Daily roundup 12 November: Abuse report, safeguarding in Scotland, and care figures

The inquiry into how the Home Office handled historic child abuse allegations has been branded a "whitewash" after concluding it was impossible to say whether or not a cover-up had taken place. Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said reviewing 20 years’ worth of documents should take six months instead of the 10 weeks given to report authors Peter Wanless and Richard Whittam QC. Danczuk told the Express: “So far all we've seen are whitewash reports and hopeless attempts to manage and contain an historic child abuse inquiry."


Risks to vulnerable children could be missed unless greater priority and support is given to strengthening child protection arrangements in Scotland, a charity has warned. A report by Children in Scotland, commissioned by the Scottish government, makes a series of recommendations including adopting a more coordinated approach to supporting frontline staff, such as teachers and health visitors, in their child protection duties.


Latest figures from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) shows there were 999 applications made for children to be taken into care in October, a rise of two per cent on the same month last year. The monthly total is the second highest since February 2013, and follows July’s record of 1,020 care applications. So far in 2014/15, there have been 6,380 care applications made to Cafcass.


Youth cancer charity Clic Sargent is to launch an online support service for young cancer sufferers after research showed that there is a shortage of support information. Its report, compiled from a survey of 138 young people with a cancer diagnosis, shows young cancer sufferers mainly look for information on physical health, cancer and treatment, followed by emotional and mental health, and education and employment. Other issues they need information about include money and housing, personal relationships and sexual health.


A group of local authorities has launched an “intranet portal” in a bid to free up time for children’s social workers. The portal, set up by Children’s Social Work Matters in Yorkshire and the Humber will provide access to industry developments and allow users to share knowledge and best practice. There will also be access to a “who’s who” directory for colleagues in neighbouring councils, and users will be able to record and track their continual professional development and training plans.


The Children’s Society has welcomed the introduction of price cap rules for payday lenders by the Financial Conduct Authority. But Matthew Reed, chief executive of the charity, warned that, even after the new rules come into force, low-income families still face paying back as much as double what they originally borrowed, if they use payday lenders. He has called for greater investment in credit unions to provide alternative options for credit.