Latest news

  

BBC RADIO 4 IS MAKING A PROGRAMME ABOUT PARENTS WHO HAVE VOLUNTARILY PLACED THEIR CHILDREN IN CARE. If you are in that situation, are you willing to be interviewed?

The Radio programme "The Investigation" on Radio 4 (see www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/theinvestigation) is working on a programme exploring the issue of parents who have voluntarily placed their children into care.  The intention is for it to be broadcast on 22nd January 2009. Simon Cox, the presenter is interested in finding out what has led parents to take such a desperate course and the difficulties parents may have faced along the way in getting appropriate help with their child.   If you are willing to be interviewed, you could have a friend or supporter present. He would like to try and talk to parents the week beginning Dec 15th at a time/place of your choosing, if possible.    The programme will also feature an interview with an Family Rights Group adviser to discuss some of the circumstances that lead parents to place their children in care. To find out more ring Simon Cox or his colleague ring ( + 44  (0)208 752 6295 or ( + 44  (0) 771 8750674 or email simon.cox.02@bbc.co.uk

WEBSITE - tell us what you think

Please tell us what you like and what you think could be improved abou the website and discussion boards.  We are very keen to hear your views in order to assist us to develop the site.

Click here to fill in the survey - it will only take you 5 minutes

 

FAMILY RIGHTS GROUP'S SUBMISSION TO LORD LAMING'S REVIEW ON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

Click here to read our submission to Lord Laming

 

NEW GUIDE: Using Family Group Conferences for children who are, or may become, subject to public law proceedings

Written for Courts, Lawyers, CAFCASS and CAFCASS CYMRU officers and Child Care Practitioners, this ground breaking guide was developed by Family Rights Group in conjunction with the Family Group Conference Network and is endorsed by CAFCASS and the Family Justice Council. Click here to download 

 

GOOD NEWS - Advice line hours extended

Last year only one in four callers were able to get through to our advice service.   Almost all our callers are mothers, fathers and relatives who are involved with, or need children's social care services and we know that our service makes a significant difference to children and families' lives. Now thanks to new funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the number of callers we are able to support will increase by over 150%, from 2500 in 2007/8 to 6500 in 2009/10.  The monies, which are part of the government's parent know-how fund, mean that Family Rights Group's advice line will be open for an extra an hour and a half each week day  and we will have two lines available.  

New opening hours: Monday-Friday  10am-3:30pm Freephone 0800 731 1696

To find out more about our advice service click here

 

Recruiting new trustees

Family Rights Group is seeking to recruit trustees with relevant knowledge and experience to our Management Board.  In particular we are seeking to recruit:

• Mothers, fathers and family and friends carers whose children have been involved with or require social care services
• Practicing childcare barristers and solicitors
• Senior officers in children's social care services
• Academics specialising in human rights, child welfare and/or family law

We wish to increase black and minority ethnic representation.  Deadline for applications is 3rd November 2008 (please note extended deadline).  Please click here for further information.

 

New campaign to improve support to children on the brink of care

Currently many grandparents and other family and friends carers raising children on the brink of care, receive little or any support from the local authority.  Yet many of these carers are impoverished, living in overcrowded accommodation and are raising extremely distrubed children.

Family Rights Group is leading the campaign to end the current postcode lottery and improve financial and other support services available to family and friends carers.

 

Sign the electronic petition on the Number 10 Downing Street website - http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/kinshipallowance/