Every 22 minutes across the UK, a child comes into care and needs fostering. The Fostering Network has launched their 22 Minutes campaign to raise awareness of the need for more foster carers throughout the UK. They have launched a web page with inspirational videos and blogs written by foster carers and care leavers and in addition. They will be tweeting and using Facebook throughout the week and would be delighted if those of you who use Twitter and Facebook would get involved.

Please do take a few minutes to visit  http://www.22minutes.org.uk/and explore the films and blogs.

There is a fantastic trailer video – they are asking all their members to help spread the word, so please do watch it and then send it on to 22 family and friends. Thank you!

Trinity Training will be exhibiting at the  B2B Expo at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry on 21 & 22 May 2012. This promises to be an excellent event and its free to attend. There will be over 30 stands from a wide range of  local businesses,  plus a variety of fascinating seminars and speakers over the two days. All the seminars must be pre-booked- so click on the link below for more information and to reserve your place.  We look forward to seeing you at our stand.

http://www.b2bexpobelgrade.eventbrite.co.uk/

Panorama reveals the appalling treatment of an elderly care home resident with dementia, captured on film after a concerned relative hid a secret camera. It investigates whether the regulator and care home provider did enough to prevent such abuse and asks whether the system of elderly care itself can be trusted.

If you missed it, here is a link to watch in on the BBCiplayer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01gybn7/Panorama_Undercover_Elderly_Care/

The Annual Report for 2010-11 of the Independent review Mechanism (Adoption & Fostering) is now available to download at http://www.independentreviewmechanism.org.uk/

It contains stastistics and analysis of cases heard by the IRM review panels during 2010-11.

It is a useful tool for agencies, providers and other organisations. (BAAF news March 2012)

Foster Families is an excellent quarterly magazine which contains a wealth of information for foster carers, all written by people who really understand fostering. You will find advice and guidance from experts, real life shared experiences and valuable information and discussion points.

In the spring issue Shân writes about her own experiences of fostering teenagers. Look out for her follow up articles in future issues.

Read a sample of the magazine online and order or download your own copy from £1,  at www.fosterfamilies.co.uk

The Commission on Dignity in Care published it’s draft report on  (29.2.12). It sets out ten key recommendations for hospitals and ten key recommendations for care homes to help them tackle the underlying causes of undignified care, as well detailed recommendations on the changes the Commission believes need to take place across the wider health and social care system.

The findings are open for public consultation until Tuesday 27 March and any organisation, individual or member of the public is invited to feed in their views.

The Commission will use the feedback that it receives during the consultation to help inform its final report scheduled for publication by summer 2012.

Find out more about this, have your say and read the full report at http://www.nhsconfed.org/priorities/Quality/Partnership-on-dignity/Pages/Draftreportrecommendations.aspx

Acas offers a range of guidance on important workplace issues such as equality, discipline and grievance, line management skills, communication and employee engagement.

For more information see link: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1339

The whistle-blowing helpline for NHS staff is being extended to staff and employers in the social care sector from 1 January 2012. There is also a new number for the service, which encompasses all of the elements of the current helpline service and is free, independent and confidential.

The new helpline number will be 08000 724 725.

The helpline will operate on weekdays between 08.00 and 18.00 with an out-of-hours answering service available at weekends and on public holidays. A web-based service is also being developed.

For more information see link; http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/12/whistleblowing-helpline/

Safeguarding adults at risk of harm: A legal guide for practitioners commissioned by the Department of Health in response to requests from practitioners for a comprehensive guide to the legal framework underpinning adult safeguarding work. Download this very useful document from the link; http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/reports/report50.asp?dm_i=4O5,MYUB,RMSIW,1UX5V,1

“Excellent document and really useful case studies written in plain English. I have emailed it to all my colleagues!” said one practitioner

The Department for Education yesterday (30.11.11) released the final Children in Need statistics, including Child Protection, for the year to 31 March 2011.  To view and/or download the reports go to http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d001041/osr26-2011.pdf