Vicky Ford has been appointed children and families minister. Picture: Parliament UK

Vicky Ford named as children and families minister

Early Years
Local government and social care ombudsman Michael King found Luton Borough Council had not been reviewed or amended a child's EHC plan. Picture: LGA

Council to review emergency foster care procedures

Social Care
Dr Sue Armstrong Brown, chief executive at Adoption UK, cautiously welcomed a short-term extension. Picture: Adoption UK

Ending the Adoption Support Fund would be 'act of vandalism'

Social Care
Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz welcomes new youth workers. Picture: Newham Council

Newham invests £4.5m in youth services

Youth Work
There is little evidence to show family group conferences are effective in keeping children out of care. Picture: Adobe Stock

Family conferences 'not run well enough' to stop children entering care

Social Care
A child is subject to online abuse every 16 minutes in England and Wales, the NSPCC says. Picture: Adobe Stock/posed by model

Children's charities welcome plans to appoint social media regulator

Safeguarding and child protection
Protests have been held over the planned closures. Picture: Suffolk Labour

Suffolk plans to close almost a third of its children's centres

Early Years
Children also report being confined to their cells for long periods. Picture: Adobe Stock

Four in 10 children in custody victimised by staff

Youth Justice
Shropshire Council will take on six detached youth workers. Picture: Shropshire Council

Council scraps youth clubs in favour of detached workers

Youth Work
David Isaac, chair of the EHRC, says schools must be safe places for all children. Picture: EHRC

Inquiry to probe use of restraint in schools

Education
Low pay and stress are forcing childcare workers to leave their jobs, researchers said. Picture: Adobe Stock

Ofsted launches new childcare registration system 'to boost workforce’

Early Years
Standards for children's services at Hull City Council have declined. Picture: Hull City Council

Hull pledges £4.4m to improve 'inadequate' children's services

Children's Services