IT has been widely reported that pressures are continuing to mount on children's social care with an increasing number in care and a doubling of entries to care amongst very young children and older adolescents in the last decade. This has resulted in the English Government establishing an independent care review, which commenced in March, with a remit of 'taking a fundamental look at the needs, experiences and outcomes of the children (social care) supports, and what is needed to make a real difference'.
Now, a coveted grant has been awarded by the Nuffield Foundation to a University of Huddersfield Professor that will enable research to be carried out which will provide an up to date and accurate picture of the evidence on the impact of poverty and family socio-economic resources more widely. This could significantly contribute to the care review and the debate about the future direction of children's social care services.
A Professor of Social Work, Paul Bywaters is a member of the University's Centre for Applied Childhood, Youth and Family Research within the School of Human and Health Sciences and will be conducting the project with a researcher.
