A Ministry of Justice policy document published last week, effective from February 2024, for the first time instructs staff working in child prisons that they “are not permitted to use restraint techniques which deliberately cause pain”. When the policy is finally implemented, it will be nearly two decades since the death of 14 year-old Adam Rickwood at … Read more
Delays in investigating and implementing the recommendations following a complex Children Act 1989 complaint “excessive and unacceptable”, concludes Local Government Ombudsman The complaint Mr B, who is care experienced*, complained to the Ombudsman about excessive delays to the handing of a complaint he made under the Children Act 1989 about “failures towards him as a … Read more
The Times newspaper reported this week (7 August) that 450 children looked after by local authorities died in the decade to 2021. 50 of the children were aged 16 or 17 and living in unregulated accommodation at the time of their deaths. In a comment piece in response, Article 39’s Director Carolyne Willow criticised the … Read more
In this issue we hear from Viv who has just retired after 15 years in independent advocacy for children and young people. During her time as an independent advocate, Viv worked with and for various groups of children and young people. Some of her areas of expertise include supporting unaccompanied children, children and young people … Read more