References, Resources
Documentation and Procedures
Comben, Carol & Lishman, Joyce. ( 1995): Setting the record straight:
recording in residential care; Scottish Office, Social Work Services
Inspectorate, Edinburgh n.d.
I am not sure how easily available it is outside Scotland. In the UK it has been
largely overtaken by the Looking After Children recording materials, which now
form the framework for all recording and documentation about 'looked after'
young people:
Valois, Natalie. Damning inspections report fuels new fears of privatisation.
Community care, 1087, 21-7 September 1995, 8-9
More than half of the 19 inspection units examined failed in their statutory
duties to children and adults. More complaints, new polities, fewer staff and no
extra money are being blamed. report.
James, Gwen. Defending independence. Child care forum, 12, April 1996, 7.
The author, of "A Voice for the child in Care" (VCC), highlights some of the
positive elements in the Children Act complaints procedure, and also sounds a
warning.
Connolly, Jo . Scaling the wall. Community Care, 1128, 11-17 July 1996,26-7
New research shows that children's complaint procedures are often ineffective
and confuse the people they are supposed to help.
Gold, Teddy. Time to involve children. Community care, 1132, 8-14 Aug.1996,
10
Letter regarding complaints by staff and children against staff inchildren's
homes.
Southwood, Julie. Presumed guilty. Professional Social Work, August 1997,
14-5
With support from BASW, the author conducted an independent research study into
social workers' experiences of Social services Complaints Procedures. She found
that how well the employer handled the complaint depended on how the social
worker felt about being investigated.
Children fear complaining. Community care, 12-18 Nov 1998, 5.
Only one in five children in foster care is aware of the complaints procedure,
compared with 93% of youngsters in residential placements, according to a report
from the Children's Society
Thompson, Audrey. Mustn't grumble. Community care, 19-25 Nov 1998, 27
A Children's Society report has revealed that the complaints procedure for
children in care is failing to provide a vital safety net.
Complaining about complaints procedures. Research into Practice, March 1999,
3
Review of Wallis and Frost, Cause for complaint: the complaints procedure for
young people in care, published 1998.
White, Caroline. Griping pains. Community care,23-9 September 1999, 27
Social services departments must have complaints procedures for service. users.
Investigation of how they work and whether they are an effective way of dealing
with problems. Most of these are more to do with residential than foster
placements, but some may be of interest. Photocopies (provided they do not
infringe UK copyright law) can be supplied.