Saturday 27 June 2015

The Mulberry Bush issue of the goodenoughcaring Journal pilots speedily towards its July 1st, 2015, haven.

The Mulberry Bush issue of the goodenoughcaring Journal is piloting speedily towards its July 1st, 2015, haven.
John Diamond has provided us with an up to date inventory of the homeward bound Mulberry Bush cargo.  John Diamond  considers the Mulberry Bush’s cargo manifest  with An Introductionand supplies his  Reflections on the development of the Mulberry Bush,1948-2015John Turberville signals The Mulberry Bush approachCaryn Onions unfurls A multi disciplinary case studyAnnabelle Rose charts The role of psychodynamic theory, Zoe McCarthy  fathoms The role of play in the development of traumatised children, Andy Lole gives a bearing on  Developing a peer review network,   Dave Roberts enters a log about The Mulberry Bush Training and outreach team and Ray Burrows  opens up  An MBOX outreach case study.
Siobain Degregorio unpacks an additional item about her experience of student placement at the Mulberry Bush.
We are grateful to all those involved with the Mulberry Bush Organisation for allowing us reflect upon and celebrate the history and the work of ‘The Bush.’
Other items of cargo in the manifest of the 17th issue of the goodenoughcaring Journal include Jennie Bristow’s Helicopters or hands off: today’s parents can’t seem to winMaurice Fenton’s Doing the Right Thing for Children in Care and Support Seekers, and John Molloy’s  The Habit of Abuse. 
Michael J. Marlowe offers us Building Relationships with Troubled Children: Insights from Torey Hayden, John Stein believes Experience is the Best Teacher, Bethlehem Taylor remembers A Cockney Childhood in the East End Of London :1945-1960  and Charles Sharpe reviews Inequality, Poverty, Education A Political Economy of School Exclusion by Francesca Ashurst and Couze Venn and, Leading Good Care: the task, heart and art of managing social care by John Burton.
We believe Issue 17 of the goodenoughcaring Journal is a very special one and  hope you are are anticipating  with the excitement we are.


Saturday 20 June 2015

British Association of Social Workers : statement on the closure of the College of Social Work

Guy Shennan, Chair of the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) said: “We can appreciate why many social workers are now doubting the government’s commitment to the profession, given that its first action following the election is to close the College of Social Work.
“This comes in a week where Karen Bradley, minister for preventing abuse and exploitation, confirmed the government’s plan to consult on jailing social workers for ‘wilful neglect’.
“If ever there was a time for the social work profession to stand united, that time is now.
“There is no doubt that the children, families and adults that we work with are going to experience ever increasing hardship and the College closure is yet another blow for our social work colleagues and for service users.
“The College has done some good work for the sector and we will be contacting ministers and College members to discuss how this work can be taken forward.
“There are many newly qualified social workers currently undertaking the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) who will be worried about what the College closure now means for them.
“Only recently BASW has questioned the future of the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) and its relationship to the new knowledge and skills statements being led by the Chief Social Workers.
“We also don’t know how the closure will affect members who have taken out Professional Indemnity Insurance with the College.
“BASW has spent the past year consulting with members to determine our future shape and direction and we will be releasing the results of that work in due course.
“BASW remains committed to providing a strong and independent voice for social work and social workers in the interests of both social workers and those who use our services.
“We are keen to work constructively with any individual or organisation where this will support and strengthen the social work profession, in England and across the UK.
“We will be marching alongside service users at the People’s Assembly protest against austerity in London tomorrow and urge as many social workers as possible to take part. We have to keep the faith and stand up for social work.
“It is vital we maintain our professional ethics, values and independence in these challenging times for the profession.”
BASW Chief Executive, Bridget Robb, who was a member of the original task force which identified the need for a professional college for social work, and a member of the negotiating team for the merger, added:
“This day has been predicted for some time as the model established by the government was not sustainable. We now look forward to working with the College and all its members and supporters to see how we can reunite the social work profession across the UK.”
BASW is keen to hear comments and questions from members on the College closure. Please email your thoughts to  england@basw.co.uk

This news item first appeared on the home page of the goodenoughcaring.com website on June 20th, 2015.

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Unity through Relationship Annual Conference : Call for Papers



9th and 10th November 2015 Regency Airport Hotel Dublin

Maurice Fenton of  Empower Ireland has written to us to announce that Drs Jim Anglin and Thom Garfat are keynoting the 2015 ‘Unity through Relationship’ annual conference. This conference is an inclusive international event seeking to build on the connections and relationships made in previous years by bringing together representatives of all sectors involved in the provision of services to children, youth and families. These include (not an exhaustive list): front-line practitioners, educators, researchers, managers, clinicians, carers and students.

Conference theme – ‘Congruent Care through Dialogue in Praxis’.

As Paulo Freire has pointed out dialogue is the essence of a coherent and comprehensive process of sharing; values, knowledge, advice and support. In this sense, ‘dialogue’ represents ‘action’, rather than discussion without purpose as it encompasses research, theory, practice and politics.
To have effective, consistent and congruent practice in child, youth and family services it is clear that ‘dialogue’ is essential, and that this dialogue must permeate the everyday lives of those involved. Dialogue must exist within and between carers; those being cared for; child protection practitioners; educators; managers; clinicians; researchers and all those wishing to take up the mantel.
The objectives of this 2 day conference are (within a relational framework):
  • to provide a forum to highlight thinking and share the views and practice experiences of all who recognise this ‘imperative’
  • to go some way to meeting the need for the realisation of processes which permit the translation of theory and research into practice, and
  • to share progressive and contemporary knowledge.
The importance of ‘action’ is fully recognised when discussing the development of a fully integrated and relationally-based system of care. But if we are to exist within a system of effective, congruent and values-based care practices there needs to be space for ‘discussion and dissemination’, as only dialogue in praxis can ensure the promotion of the core values of; respect, equity, participation, partnership, empowerment and social justice. 
Empower Ireland is at this time sending out a call for papers and seeks applications to contribute to the conference. If you have an idea you would like to propose or want some help with the application process, Empower Ireland  will be happy to provide support.
This conference will be innovative, programmatic, participative, comparative, critical and empowering

Completed application forms to be submitted before 27th June 2015 to: info@empowerireland.com
Forms for proposals for papers can be found at   http://www.unitythroughrelationship.com

Thursday 4 June 2015

The Mulberry Bush issue of the goodenoughcaring Journal cruises ever closer towards us

 Issue 17 of the goodenoughcaring Journal arrives and disembarks from its voyage across the the ethereal very shortly.  Now well into our sight is details  become clearer and ever more  engaging.
On July 1st, 2015 the Mulberry Bush Issue of the goodenoughcaring Journal will be published online. John Diamond will introduce the Mulberry Bush articles and also provides an article Evolution and and adaptation of the Mulberry Bush to its environment 1948-2015John Turberville explains The Mulberry Bush approachCaryn Onions has written A multi disciplinary case studyAndy Lole considers Developing a peer review networkDave Roberts writes about The Mulberry Bush Training and outreach team and Ray Burrows offers A MBOX outreach case study. There will also be a number of practice papers on the work of the Mulberry Bush written by students on the Mulberry Bush Foundation Degree courses in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People. Siobain Degregorio is also writing an article about her experience of student placement at the Mulberry Bush.

We are grateful to all those involved with the Mulberry Bush Organisation for their generosity of effort in making this issue of the goodenoughcaring Journal such a special one.
Other articles in this, the 17th issue of the goodenoughcaring Journal include Maurice Fenton’sDoing the Right for Children in Care and Support Seekers, John Molloy has written The Habit of AbuseMichael J. Marlowe offers us Building Relationships with Troubled Children: Insights from Torey Hayden, John Stein observes Experience is the Best Teacher and Charles Sharpe reviews Inequality, Poverty, Education A Political Economy of School Exclusion by Francesca Ashurst and Couze Venn and, Leading Good Care: the task, heart and art of managing social care by John Burton.
We hope you agree Issue 17 of the goodenoughcaring Journal is a very special one and is to be anticipated with eagerness.



Wednesday 3 June 2015

Programme for the Child Care History Network Conference, July 3rd, 2015




We have received the full programme and booking form for the Child Care History Network conference in Leeds on July 3rd, 2015. Here it is.
Children’s Homes, Past, Present and Future
Learning from the Past to Make Things Better for the future
Conference Programme
9.30      Registration with coffee
10.00.   Welcome by Dame Gillian Wagner, Patron of CCHN
10.15   Voices from care. Home from home – Different Pasts, shared Future
Ibrahim Bilal Maynard, ex Care Leaver.
  1. 45   Unintended consequences
David Lane, an Independent Consultant, currently working in Northern Ireland.
  1. 15   Coffee
11.30   One step forward two steps back. Evidence, economics and policy for Children’s Services.
Mark Kerr, University of Kent
  1. 00   Houseparent, warden, superintendent, officer in charge, registered manager?
John Burton is an author and a campaigner for improving standards in care homes.
12.30.   Lunch
1.30     Then and now: The past in the present and future of therapeutic residential child care
Stuart Hannah is a social worker and child and adolescent psychotherapist
Richard Cross is Head of Residential and Clinical Practice for Five Rivers
2.15     No Wrong Door: Innovative planning by North Yorkshire County Council
James Cliffe, Registered Homes Manager Residential and Leaving Care Services
2.45      Developing Management for present and future care services
Nick Waggett, Operational Director, Northern School of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.
Dianne Lodge, Director, Dove Adolescent Services and Chair of the Independent Children’s Homes Association
3.15        Discussion with tea.   Working together for a better future.
Enabled by  Jonathan Stanley, Principal Partner, NCERCC
4.30     Close and depart

Here is the booking form for the conference :
 Child Care History Network
Summer Conference 3rd July 2015
Venue: Hinsley Hall, 62, Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 2BX
Day Delegate Registration and booking form
 PERSONAL DETAILS: 
Full Name (for conference badge): _____________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________ Email ______________________________
Employer or Agency : _______________________________________________________________
Your payment includes coffee on arrival, morning coffee and biscuits, a two course Buffet Lunch, with vegetarian options and afternoon tea and cakes.
CCHN Member                                                      £60   Please tick if applicable
Non – Member                                                       £80   Please tick if applicable
 How to pay:
By cheque made payable to CCHN and sent with this form to:
Joan Vickers c/o PETT Study Centre, Church Lane, Toddington, Nr. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL4 5DQ.
or
By Credit card, or Pay Pal go to the CCHN website. www.cchn.org.uk Conference Page
A small number of bursaries may be available. To apply contact the Chair of CCHN, Kathleen Lane at post@kathleenlane.org
 Please note to book overnight accommodation contact Hinsley Hall on 0113 261 8000 
A number of single and twin rooms may be available for B and B. To get the special conference rate mention the Child Care History Network (CCHN) when requesting a booking. Dinner on 2ndJuly can also be requested.