Children Acts 1948‐2008: the drivers for legislative change in England over 60 years

Most residential children's social care services in England, including children's homes, are operated by for-profit companies, but the implications of this development are not well understood. This paper aims to address this gap by undertaking the first longitudinal and comprehensive evaluation of the associations between for-profit outsourcing and quality of service provision among English local authorities and children's homes. To enable investigation of the implications of outsourcing children's residential social care services, we create and analyse a novel and longitudinal dataset covering more than 13,000 children's home inspections by Ofsted (the independent regulator of children's social care in England) over a period of 7 years (2014–2021). We also investigate the association between Ofsted local authority (LA) ratings and the reliance of LAs on for-profit and third sector outsourcing of children in care placements. Our analysis shows that for-profit providers are statistically significantly more likely to be rated of lower quality than both public and third sector services. For-profit children's homes also violate a greater number of requirements and receive more recommendations compared to other ownership types. These findings are robust to model specification and consistent over the full analysed period. At LA level, we find provisional evidence that LA Ofsted ratings are negatively correlated with the percentage of for-profit outsourcing, suggesting that LAs which outsource a greater amount of their children in care placements perform less well than those which do not. These findings are of significant concern given the focus of these services on society's most vulnerable service users. However, caution is needed in terms of regulating the sector going forward, as the role of for-profit provision cannot be replaced without substantial coordination and long-term planning.

Purpose This study examines changes in body-worn camera (BWC) policies. It aims to analyze trends in policy change, identify the drivers of policy change, and examine the degree of convergence over time, offering insights into the growing implementation of BWCs in policing. Design/methodology/approach To study BWC policy change, we examine data collected through an established policy review process to compare the original (2016–2021) and current (as of September 2023) BWC policies of 160 law enforcement agencies that received federal funding for cameras. Surveys from two dozen agencies provided insights on the drivers of BWC policy change. Findings Results indicate BWC policy changes are common, as 81% of agencies changed their policies at least once. Overall, we documented 957 unique changes to policy. Changes often involved additional parameters or restrictions on a policy issue (42%), though complete removal of policy language was also common (36.1%). Changes in technology and lessons learned/experiences were the biggest drivers of BWC policy change. Drawing on institutional theory, we also conduct an exploratory examination of the degree of policy convergence over time (e.g. increased similarity), and the evidence is consistent with that theory. Originality/value Police leaders, researchers, and policymakers unanimously highlight the importance of administrative policy in guiding an agency’s body-worn camera (BWC) program. However, there have been virtually no studies on the topic, and fundamental questions about BWC policy (and change in BWC policy) remain unanswered. The findings have implications for the growing evidence base on BWCs, as well as for law enforcement agencies that deploy the technology.

PurposeSubstantial government investment has accelerated innovation activity in children’s social care in England over the past decade. Ethical concerns emerge when innovation seems to be propelled by a drive for efficiency and over-reliance on process output indicators, as well as, or even instead of, improving the lives of children, families and societies. No ethical framework exists at present to act as a check on such drivers. This paper reviews the literature with the aim of considering how best to address this gap.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on a review of innovation in children’s social care, conducted as part of an Economic and Social Research Council-funded project exploring innovation in services for young people exposed to extra-familial risk and harm.FindingsThis study proposes a new conception of “trustworthy innovation” for the sector that holds innovation in children’s social care to the standards and principles of the code of ethics for social work. This study offers an ethical framework, informed by the interdisciplinary school of organisational ethics, to operationalise this extended definition; the analytic framework guides policymakers and the practice sector to question at every stage of the innovation process whether a particular model is ethically appropriate, as well as practically feasible within a specific context. Implications for local decision-making and national policy are set out, alongside questions raised for future research.Originality/valueThis paper is the first to offer an ethical framework for innovation in children's social care. The conception of “trustworthy innovation” offers a guide to policymakers and the practice sector, which they can use to ethically test every stage of the innovation process and make decisions about whether a particular model is ethically appropriate, as well as practically feasible within a specific context.

Local governments in many countries are navigating a turbulent financial environment, challenging their ability to maintain budgetary control. A key indication of this declining control is the occurrence of budget deviations, defined as over- or underspending relative to the original budget. While budget deviations can have significant negative societal consequences, there is limited understanding of what drives deviations. In this paper, we examine budget deviations in local government in England, specifically focusing on the budgets allocated for children's social care provision. In recent years, children's social care in England has experienced rising demand and changes in service delivery, with many English local authorities shifting from traditional in-house provision to care provided by private sector companies. Using a panel dataset covering the period 2015–2022, we find that local authorities that have outsourced a larger portion of their children's social care to for-profit providers are more likely to exhibit budget deviations compared with those that have retained more in-house provision. In contrast, reliance on external providers with a non-profit orientation is associated with fewer budget deviations. Additionally, our analysis reveals that local authorities with greater administrative capacity and higher debt levels show lower levels of budget deviation. This suggests that increased administrative resources and heightened local financial pressures may contribute to the development of more accurate budgets, thereby reducing the likelihood of deviations during implementation. We conclude by discussing policy implications, including strategies for local authorities to enhance budgetary control in challenging service delivery areas such as social care.

November 2019 saw the release of A Blueprint for Children's Social Care (hereafter the Blueprint) in England. The Blueprint proposes introducing the Buurtzorg model of community nursing into the child protection social work in England, and received widespread interest and publicity. Buurtzorg is a Dutch community nursing agency that is based on a specific model of small self-managing and non-hierarchal teams. The authors of the Blueprint suggest that rapid and large-scale introduction of Buurtzorg into child protection social work would overcome many of the longstanding issues facing the profession in England. However, there are serious limitations to the suggestions outlined in the Blueprint and the Buurtzorg model does not translate well to child protection social work in England. Drawing on the work of Mark Fisher, this article examines the Blueprint under three core themes: consent and consensus, links with other neoliberal projects and failing forward. Ultimately, it is shown that the Blueprint can be considered part of a wider project of implementing neoliberal policies and market solutions to children's social care in England, a process that is increasingly being led by large, profit-driven global consultancy firms.

Outsourcing and children's social care services: an observational longitudinal analysis of inspection outcomes among English children's homes and local authorities

This paper examined the dynamics of land use changes on the livelihood of the local communities in Baringo County. Land is a principal factor of production, a source of life and livelihoods. It provides a means of living and a variety of uses such as agricultural, human settlement, environmental conservation, urban and industrial development purposes among others. These uses compete for space in a fixed area, hence the rising land use conflicts and degradation. The situation has threatened lives and livelihoods, making it difficult to plan for the livelihood activities in the County. This is happening against the backdrop of land use policy changes including; sessional paper no 3 of 2009 on the National Land Policy, the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Land Act, 2012, the Land Registration Act, 2012, the Community Land Act, 2016 and sessional paper no 1 of 2017 on National Land Use Policy that were intended to alleviate the situation. This situation is now a major threat to the livelihood of the local communities in Baringo County. This study, therefore, sought to examined the dynamics of land use changes on the livelihood of the local communities in Baringo county with specific objective to establish the drivers of the changes. A comprehensive desk review of existing literature was done, and land use changes were descriptively analyzed. The review spanned from pre-colonial (before 1895), colonial (1895 to 1963), independence (1963 to 2010) including the subsequent years of land reforms following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 onwards to 2020. The study found that the key drivers of land use changes originate from the change of land use policies from customary to European-like systems during the colonial era (1895 to 1963). These drivers revolve around the conflicts in the application of land use policies and laws, dual production system (different land use for registered private land in arable areas and the unregistered community land in non-arable areas within the county) occasioning wide productivity gap and economic disparity. Further the knowledge gaps associated with colonial perceptions, ideologies, and attitudinal practices, which led to misconception and wrong policies aggravated the situation. The consequences disorganize the local community land use and social system, broke down the traditional grazing and cropping patterns, depleted soils fertility & degraded the environment. In addition, the study found out that in the unregistered community land, land use conflicts were rampant, and characterized by invaded and claim interest as well as unscrupulous legal manipulation of land ownership records leading to dispossession. These two salient features are the main drivers of land use changes that led to continuous and frequent fatal inter-ethnic land use conflicts among the local communities; causing displacement and destruction of property among other atrocities working against politically weak local community. This scenario destabilized livelihood possibilities making it difficult for local communities to engage in basic livelihood activities and create uncertainty for future development. The study concluded that the security of land tenure perpetrates land use conflicts particularly in the unregistered community land. The government, therefore, need to register the community land to enhance land tenure security in the county.

Preface, J.A. Lee, Introduction, 1. Drivers of change in upland environments: concepts, threats & opportunities, A. Bonn, T. Allott, K. Hubacek & J. Stewart, I Processes and Policy - the overarching Drivers of Change, 2. Natural changes in upland landscapes, M. Evans, 3. Threats from air pollution and climate change on upland systems: past, present & future, S. Caporn & B. Emmett, 4. Policy change in the uplands, I. Condliffe, II Ecosystem Goods & Services and Drivers of Change, 5. The carbon budget of upland peat soils, F. Worrall & M. Evans, 6. Upland hydrology, J. Holden, 7. State of upland freshwater ecosystems, T. Allott, 8. Condition of upland terrestrial habitats, A. Crowle & F. McCormack, 9. Burning issues: the history and ecology of managed fires in the uplands, A.R. Yallop, B. Clutterbuck & J .I. Thacker, 10, Moorland management with livestock: the effect of policy change on upland grazing, vegetation and farm economics, S.M. Gardner, T. Waterhouse & C.N.R. Critchley, 11. International importance and drivers of change of upland bird populations, J.W. Pearce-Higgins, M.C. Grant, C.M. Beale, G.M. Buchanan & I.M.W. Sim, 12. Mammals in the uplands, D.W. Yalden, 13. Managing uplands for game and sporting interest: an industry perspective, N. Sotherton, R. May, J. Ewald, K. Fletcher & D. Newborn, 14. Moors from the past, B. Bevan, 15. Leisure in the landscape: rural incomes and public benefits, N. Curry, III Social Change, Land Management and Conservation - Driving Change, 16. Description of the upland economy: areas of outstanding beauty and marginal economic performance, K. Hubacek, K. Dehnen-Schmutz, M. Qasim & M. Termansen, 17. The future of public goods provision in upland regions: learning from hefted commons in the Lake District, UK, R.J.F. Burton, G. Schwarz, K.M. Brown, I.T. Convery & L. Mansfield, 18. The economic value of landscapes in the uplands of England, N. Hanley & S. Colombo, 19. Landscape as an integrating framework for upland management, C. Swanwick, 20. Using scenarios to explore upland futures, K. Arblaster, M.S. Reed, E.D.G. Fraser & C. Potter, 21. Effective policy making: stakeholder involvement and sustainable development in national parks, S. Connelly & T. Richardson, 22. How class shapes perceptions of nature: implications for managing visitor perceptions in upland UK, N. Suckall, E. Fraser & C. Quinn, 23. Moorland wildfire risk, visitors and climate change: patterns, prevention and policy, J. McMorrow, S. Lindley, J. Aylen, G. Cavan, K. Albertson & D. Boys, 24. Moorland restoration: potential and progress, P. Anderson, M. Buckler & J. Walker, 25. Ecosystem services: a new rationale for conservation of upland environments, A. Bonn, M. Rebane & C. Reid, Conclusion, 26. Managing change in the uplands: challenges in shaping the future, A. Bonn, T. Allott, K. Hubacek & J. Stewart

PurposeIn England in recent years, concerns have been raised about the proportion of time social workers and other frontline children's social care practitioners spend carrying out desk‐based, administrative activities. This article aims to report time use activity data from front line workers on the amount of time spent on different activities to support children in need (as defined by the 1989 Children Act).Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected from a range of sources including focus groups, event records (diaries completed by practitioners) and online surveys.FindingsThe proportion of time spent on direct and indirect activities varies according to the types of process. Those associated with ongoing support have the highest proportion of direct activity, whereas those associated with decision making, especially if a one‐off activity, have the highest proportion of administrative activities. The greater the needs of the child, the more direct and indirect support was given, but there was some variation across social work teams. But the activities of social workers are interconnected, making it difficult to provide conclusive evidence, but the concern about the imbalance between direct work and administrative tasks seems justified.Research implications/limitationsThe findings highlight the complexity of exploring how social workers spend their time and how the proportion of time spent on direct and indirect activities is determined by the needs and circumstances of children and their families.Practical implicationsWider contextual practice issues are also explored including the recent increases in referrals to children's social care and the use of electronic recording systems.Originality/valueThe breakdown of the activities using the approach outlined in the article increases transparency in understanding how social workers spend their time.

The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) is responsible for inspecting services that care for children and young people in England and Wales. This paper presents findings from an independent study of Ofsted inspections into children's social care in England, covering reports under three inspection frameworks during the period 2009 to 2016. The research aimed to identify the main themes of recommendations made in Ofsted reports and to explore similarities and differences between frameworks and between local authorities. The methodological approach was document analysis. A stratified sample of 60 reports was prepared on the basis of inspection framework and local authority characteristics such as local deprivation, Ofsted rating, and urban/rural category. A thematic analysis was conducted of the recommendations in each report, with emerging themes subjected to an iterative process of coding and categorization. The findings identified nine categories of themes, the most common of which were performance management, casework, oversight of practice, and multiagency working. Overall, the recommendations were strongly oriented towards process issues and compliance with standards. Recommendations were found to differ somewhat between inspection frameworks but remained largely consistent between local authorities with different characteristics. The paper concludes by examining the implications of findings for the current regulatory framework in children's social care.

PART ONE: FROM CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENTS TO DEPARTMENTS OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES Local Authority Children's Services in the Post-War Period New Labour, Social Exclusion and Children Every Child Matters: Change for Children PART TWO: DIFFERENT SERVICE AREAS Safeguarding, Child Protection and Children in Need Youth Offending: Early Identification, Prevention and Tough Enforcement Children and the care system: reforming corporate parenting Sure Start and Children's Centres: a jewel in New Labour's Crown? Working with children and young people with Complex Needs Challenge to social care practice: working with unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people PART THREE: CURRENT ISSUES AND FUTURE PROSPECTS The Current State of Children's Social Care in England Being a social worker in an integrated world: social care work with children and a positive future of social work.

Safeguarding Children and Young People is Everyone's Responsibility

Essential elements at play in local environmental policy change: A guide for the perplexed

This chapter approaches shocks from a vantage point that is different from the one commonly found in the foreign policy analysis (FPA) literature on foreign policy change. This literature typically conceptualizes shocks as one of several opportunities for or even drivers of policy change. Contrary to this predominant approach in the FPA literature, this chapter analyzes shocks not as drivers of and opportunities for external reorientations (hence as independent variable) but as consequences of—and potential constraints for the success of—attempted policy change (hence as intervening variable). In so doing, the chapter also contributes to the exploration of inhibitors of foreign policy modifications, which have received considerably less attention in the literature than the examination of possible drivers of change.

Purpose Local manufacturers have closed factories and retrenched workers amidst increasing global competition, leading to government procurement assistance in Victoria, Australia. This study aims to identify the drivers of significant procurement policy changes and examine how a local procurement law was established as a response to international trade and offshoring of manufacturing jobs in Victoria. Design/methodology/approach This study has adopted a single-case study approach to examine a local procurement law. Thirty-five documents were analysed with the framework of institutional work embedded in the procurement policymaking process. Findings This study develops a unique framework that provides empirical and conceptual insights on drivers and how they stimulate actors to shape local procurement policy. It shows the intersection of actors’ interests and public interest by demonstrating a unique relationship between institutional work and the procurement policymaking process. Research limitations/implications Single-case studies lack scientific generalisability. Nevertheless, this study adds knowledge that is lacking in the field of public procurement and provides a stronger foundation for comparative research. Practical implications The symbiotic relationship between key actors is vital in navigating the local procurement policymaking challenges, particularly amidst opposition from globalisation advocates. Social implications This study indicates that the Victorian Government uses local procurement to address the income inequalities associated with globalisation. Originality/value This study offers a greater understanding of preferential procurement policy development; and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first to examine the drivers of changes from open competition to mandatory preferential policy in Australia.